Brussels, 14 October 2008 – Today sees the launch of the inaugural week-long meeting of the medical technology industry in Europe – ‘MedTech Forum’, under the patronage of Commissioner Verheugen. This event will bring together almost 400 participants from EU institutions and industry. 27 national associations, over 70 speakers from leading health companies, the political arena, patients, professional organizations and academics will debate key issues in 25 different sessions such patient safety and the contribution and future of the medical technology industry.
The debates being carried out throughout the week will be informed by the release of new research, undertaken by McKinsey, charting the opinions of industry elites across Europe. This research provides many insights from leading industry opinion formers including:
According to Guy Lebeau, M.D., Chairman, Eucomed, “MedTech Forum is a landmark event in our industry. Now more than ever we have a need to bring all stakeholders together and discuss the future of the medical technology industry. In these times of financial uncertainty, it is critical that we ensure the continued commitment to innovation in order to drive growth across the whole of the EU.”
The European Medical Technology industry is growing at a rate of approximately 5-6 percent a year. The industry employs 435,000 people across Europe and SME’s make up more than 80% of this sector. Annual sales for the medical technology sector are 64 billion EUR, which is equal to 33% of the world market share. Up to 6% (or 3.8 billion EUR) of medical technology sales are reinvested in R&D.
“Issues such as enabling home care, implementing e-health and ensuring patient safety will all become even more important than they currently are, as our society ages. Yet there are still gaps in awareness and treatments available across the European Member States,” stated Miroslav Mikolasik, MEP. “The medical technology industries have the expertise, and the structures needed to address these needs and I would call upon the European Institutions and Member States to work together with industry to provide effective solutions.”
Eucomed represents 4,500 designers, manufacturers and suppliers of medical technology used in the diagnosis, prevention, treatment and amelioration of disease and disability. Eucomed members include national trade and pan-European product associations and internationally active manufacturers of all types of medical technology. A dynamic industry made up of 80% SMEs, it invests heavily in research and development, creates high-quality employment opportunities and is amongst the industries which add the most value to the European economy with annual sales of €72.6bn and up to 8% (or €5.8bn) of sales being reinvested in R&D.
The mission of Eucomed is to improve patient and clinician access to modern, innovative and reliable medical technology.
Mark Grossien
Director Communications and External Affairs
mark.grossien(at)eucomed(dot)be
+32 (0)2.775.92.24
