MedTech Europe will focus on the medical device and in vitro diagnostics legislative frameworks, the medical technology industry 5-year strategy, health technology assessment, patients & safety and environmental issues. Future topics of collaboration will be determined by the MedTech Europe Board. This body will initially be composed of three representatives from EDMA and three representatives from Eucomed. The chairmanship will be rotating between its members.
Announced as a European Industry Alliance in January 2012, MedTech Europe sits underneath its founding members and will remain a separate entity, as will EDMA and Eucomed. The three associations will be helmed by one Chief Executive Officer being Serge Bernasconi.
"We are very pleased with the launch of MedTech Europe today which comes at a time when further cooperation between the medical technology industry associations is the right way forward. The Alliance gives the in vitro diagnostics industry the opportunity to sign on to the Contract for a Healthy Future and contribute to steering Europe's healthcare systems onto a sustainable path," Jürgen Schulze, EDMA President commented on the launch.
The joint medtech industry strategy centres around the recognition that sustainable healthcare can only be delivered through value-based innovation and industry is committed to demonstrating that improved health outcomes and cost-effectiveness can go hand in hand.
"Value-based innovation is at the heart of what the medical technology industry does every day. Our industry is committed to moving forward with this new innovation paradigm and demonstrating that we deliver value for Europe's patients, healthcare professionals, payers, policymakers and society as a whole," Eucomed chairman Guy Lebeau explained. "Today we also launch our Value-based Innovation publication that highlights what we have done in the last 12 months to deliver on the promise of our Contract. Examples include the forming of MedTech Europe, the setting-up of dedicated steering committees to work on the implementation of the Contract and recruitment of key people in order to deliver the critical socio-economic data of our innovations."
To support MedTech Europe, a new website - www.medtecheurope.org - has been developed which offers a host of comprehensive information on the policy issues that MedTech Europe will be working on. MedTech Europe's bi-weekly newsletter, blog and social media platforms are also prominently featured on the new website. At the same time, the www.reforminghealthcare.eu website has been overhauled and features the updated "Contract for a Healthy Future", the new "Creating Value in European Healthcare" publication and the Economist Report on Future-proofing Western Europe's Healthcare.
"I am excited about the opportunities MedTech Europe brings to the table. The alliance not only signifies a stronger and more consistent representation of Europe's medical technology industry, but also provides healthcare stakeholders with one unified industry discussion partner when needed. Being able to speak with one organisation about medtech issues should make the lives of healthcare players easier and makes industry representation more credible and impactful," said Serge Bernasconi, Chief Executive Officer of Eucomed, EDMA and MedTech Europe.
About MedTech Europe
MedTech Europe is an alliance of European medical technology industry associations. The Alliance was founded by EDMA, representing the European in vitro diagnostic industry, and Eucomed, representing the European medical devices industry. Other European medical technology associations are welcome to join the Alliance, established to represent the common policy interests of its members more effectively and efficiently.
Our mission is to make value-based, innovative medical technology available to more people, while supporting the transformation of healthcare systems onto a sustainable path. We promote a balanced policy environment that enables the medical technology industry to meet the growing healthcare needs and expectations of its stakeholders. In addition, we demonstrate the value of medical technology by encouraging our members to execute the industry's 5-year strategy.
About EDMA
EDMA, European Diagnostics Manufacturers Association, advocates for the interests of the in vitro diagnostics (IVD) industry and its enormous contribution to transforming healthcare systems by improving healthcare efficiency and reducing costs. EDMA's strength lies in its close co-operation with European institutions, patients groups, trade associations, health professionals, and academia, working together to shape EU policy that will most impact the lives of Europeans and reinforce the European IVD industry's voice globally. From small businesses to major corporations, the European in vitro diagnostic industry is a market worth over €10.5 billion. Driven by research and development, 95% of the industry is comprised of small and medium size enterprises and approximately €1 billion per year is reinvested in R&D.
About Eucomed
Eucomed is the European medical technology industry association. Its mission is to make modern, innovative and reliable medical technology available to more people. Eucomed represents directly and indirectly 22,500 designers, manufacturers and suppliers of medical technology used in the diagnosis, prevention, treatment and amelioration of disease and disability. Small and medium sized companies make up more than 80% of this sector. The European medical technology industry generates annual sales of €95 billion, invests some €7.5 billion in R&D and employs around 500,000 highly skilled workers.