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Press Release MedTech Europe Code

One step closer to implementing the new MedTech Europe Code: Over ten organisations certified under the Ethical Charter

Posted on 19.10.2017

23 October 2017 – The Ethical MedTech Portal has issued thirteen certifications to Healthcare Organisations (HCOs) and Professional Conference Organisers (PCOs) under the Ethical Charter since its launch on July 4, 2017.

The Ethical Charter, a voluntary certification initiative for the organisers of Third-Party Educational events, aims to bring understanding and to ease the adoption of the new rules included in the MedTech Europe Code of Ethical Business Practice. It also aims to facilitate the industry’s support for independent medical education to organisations that are certified and who have committed to comply with the Code when organising their events.

The Medical Technology industry has a strong commitment to strive for the highest standards of trust and transparency. We are happy to see the willingness of healthcare stakeholders to embrace the full potential of the new Code, which came into force on 1 January 2017, with the actual phase-out of direct sponsorship coming into force on 1 January 2018,” said Serge Bernasconi, CEO of MedTech Europe.

The new code presents a great opportunity to unify and standardize the Medtech industry’s collaboration with medical societies, hospitals and commercial PCOs in a compliant and transparent manner, thus, providing a greater quality of healthcare to patients,” he adds.

Path towards a smooth transition

Over the past five years, MedTech Europe has been on a journey to steer the industry in a direction that will reinforce ethical behaviour in their interactions with HCOs and Healthcare Professionals (HCPs).

MedTech Europe has also been active for several years in bringing the healthcare community (i.e HCOs, PCOs, HCPs, scientific groups) inside and outside of Europe along to the new code and in ensuring that all their questions are met. These activities include direct discussions, trainings, webinars, and initiatives like the Advisory Committee for the Future of Medical Education, the GMTCC (The Global MedTech Compliance Conference) and now the recently launched Ethical MedTech Platform.

The association has also developed various support tools and trainings (available on Ethical MedTech) to facilitate the seamless adaptation of the industry and to ensure that all stakeholders are well equipped for this model of collaboration.

Looking ahead

The following changes will happen as from 1 January 2018:

  • Immediate prohibition of Direct Sponsorship of HCPs: Financial support for attendance of HCPs to Third Party Organised Educational Events will be done through the allocation of Educational Grants to HCOs or contractual agreements with PCOs.
  • By latest 30 June 2018, the public disclosure of Educational Grants provided to Third-Party Educational Events in 2017 by MedTech Europe Member Companies. The disclosure will be done on the Transparent MedTech platform.
  • A broadened scope, beyond only direct sponsorships, of the Conference Vetting System (CVS), a unique initiative launched in 2012 that assesses the conformity of Third-Party Educational Events with the MedTech Europe Code.

We are delighted with the positive reception of the Ethical Charter and the progress recorded to date. The organisations certified to date organise some of the most important congresses in Europe as well as in other parts of the world. Having them as a trusted partner is key for the industry in order to enhance innovation, improve patient outcomes and bring a more sustainable healthcare system.” Serge Bernasconi concludes.

About us

MedTech Europe is the European trade association representing the medical technology industries, from diagnosis to cure. Our members are multinational companies and national medical technology associations operating in Europe and worldwide.

There are more than 500,000 products, services and solutions currently made available by the medical technology industry. These range from bandages, blood tests and hearing aids to cancer screening tests, pacemakers and glucose monitors.

Our sector employs more than 650,000 people. There are more than 26,000 medical technology companies in Europe, of which 95% are SMEs.

Contact

For more information on our Ethical MedTech initiative, our Code of Ethical Business Practice or the medical technology sector please contact MedTech Europe’s Senior Communications Manager Jerick Parrone at [email protected].