Latest updates
MedTech Europe’s contribution to the ‘Healthier Together – EU Non-Communicable Diseases Initiative’
The MedTech Europe Cardiovascular Sector Group welcomes the EU NCD Initiative to help Member States address the burden posed by NCDs such as CVDs, amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of death in the EU, leading to significant economic and societal impacts – further compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic. CVD cost EU health care systems nearly €111 billion in 2015. Moreover, productivity losses due to morbidity and mortality cost the EU €54 billion in 20152, and the total cost of providing informal care for people with CVD was nearly €45 billion that same year.2 Recent evidence suggests that recovered patients, including those that were not hospitalised for acute COVID-19, suffer increased risk of CVD after being infected with SARS-Cov-2. Patients had increased risk of cardiovascular problems, including abnormal heart rhythms, heart muscle inflammation, blood clots, strokes, myocardial infarction, and heart failure. Thus, MedTech Europe has identified three priorities for EU-supported action under the cardiovascular diseases strand, namely: An EU Policy Plan to improve cardiovascular health EU Policy Action on Secondary Prevention through early detection of CVDs Facilitation of data gathering and exchange
Posted on 16.03.2022
Report | Good Practices to Tackle Antimicrobial Resistance
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) continues to be a major global health concern, with the latest statistics showing nearly 200 000 deaths were associated with AMR in Europe in 2019 alone. It is imperative that efforts to tackle this issue are realised at every level of society, and are considered within a ONE HEALTH approach – human, animal and environmental, given that AMR is transmittable between them. Actual action, pragmatic interventions, and implemented practices have the clear potential to reduce or slow down the development of resistant bacteria. Local circumstances, promising national policies, and individual initiatives could lead to significant improvements in the field. Therefore, finding those existing practices, bringing them to light, and giving them extensive visibility at the European level was identified by the AMR Stakeholder Network (AMR SN), a network of more than 60 leading organisations, including MedTech Europe, and individuals committed to tackling AMR. The principles laid out in its Roadmap for action on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) could become more tangible through the report. This would fuel further advocacy efforts to do the best known, recognised, and implemented throughout Europe. In this context, the AMR SN prepared and launched a call for good practices, which aimed both to raise the profile of AMR on the political agenda and to offer practical solutions, within a ONE HEALTH framework. Sharing of knowledge, innovation, new methods, and models are indispensable in slowing down the spread of AMR but there is also immense potential in existing knowledge and good practices already in place. As stakeholders learn from each other, these practices can be replicated, adapted, improved upon, or scaled up. The AMR SN call for good practices and the resulting report aims to support and be a part of this effort.
Posted on 08.03.2022
A life of adventure after stroke
When Paul McLean suffered a severe stroke at the age of 40 his chances didn’t look good. Thanks to an innovative procedure enabled by medical technology, Paul is now embracing a life filled with adventure and is enjoying watching his young son grow up.
Listening to patients drives innovation in heart health
Advances in cardiac medical technology save lives every day. But how can future innovations meet the needs of today’s patients even more?
About us
MedTech Europe is the European trade association representing the medical technology industries, from diagnosis to cure.
We represent Diagnostics and Medical Devices manufacturers operating in Europe. 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 730,000 people. There are more than 32,000 medical technology companies in Europe, of which 95% are SMEs.
What we work on
Interactions with the Medical Community
Interactions with the Medical Community
The medical technology industry is expected to find new ways to keep us healthy, and to do so in a responsible manner. MedTech Europe and its members are committed to a high level of ethical business practices and have put in place strict guidelines to advise medical technology manufacturers on how to collaborate ethically with healthcare professionals (HCPs).
Brexit
Brexit
Brexit is a critical topic for the medical technology industry which has developed highly complex ties between the United Kingdom (UK) and the rest of the EU. Medical technologies are often moved between different EU countries during their production lifecycle and their clinical use. Crucially, up to 30% of our industry’s products have been authorised via UK Notified Bodies (CE marking) and could lose such authorisation overnight in the case of a “cliff edge” Brexit. MedTech Europe is tracking developments closely and has produced a position paper and other relevant documents to help medtech companies to navigate Brexit.
Access to Medical Technology
Access to Medical Technology
Medical technologies have the potential to save and improve lives, to inform citizens on the state of their health and to guide healthcare delivery.
New Medical Technology Regulations
New Medical Technology Regulations
Medical technologies are tightly regulated in the European Union. Before a medical technology can be legally placed on the EU market, a manufacturer must comply with the requirements of all applicable EU legislation and affix a CE mark to their device.
New EU Regulations governing medical devices (MD) and in vitro diagnostic (IVD) were published in May 2017. MedTech Europe is working with our members and the authorities to support companies in complying with the new legislation by the end of the transition periods – 2021 for MDs and 2022 for IVDs.
COVID-19 Information Hub
COVID-19 Information Hub
As the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19 continues to impact the health of people and the economy of countries around the world, the medical technology industry is working to support all ongoing efforts against this pandemic.
Homecare & Community Care
Homecare & Community Care
The MedTech industry develops products that facilitate the delivery of health services in the community care setting and in people's homes. These technologies save lives, are convenient for patients and make efficient use of healthcare resources.
Environmental and Social Sustainability
Environmental and Social Sustainability
In addition to the medical technology sector’s core goal of saving lives and improving health, environmental and social considerations are an integral part of our industry’s operations. We acknowledge that preserving a healthy environment and building socially responsible value chains are essential in keeping human beings in good health. Our industry needs to be at the forefront of addressing challenges related to sustainable healthcare.
Market Data
Market Data
Information is power. Medical technology companies need to stay on top of the latest trends impacting their business. Informed decisions require up-to-date market intelligence from a trusted service.
Digital Health
Digital Health
Medical technologies generate information and data that are critical for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, monitoring and management of health and lifestyle. More and more of this data is now digitised; it can be stored and accessed on electronic health records and personal devices, shared among patients and healthcare professionals, and aggregated and processed with data advanced analytics
MedTech Europe works with policymakers and relevant stakeholders to realise the potential of data-driven healthcare. Together we focus on legal and regulatory issues (privacy, safety), technology (cybersecurity, interoperability), the business case (incentives, reimbursement), and emerging technologies (precision medicine, artificial intelligence).
International
International
MedTech Europe engages with global agencies, decision-makers and stakeholders on key international issues facing medical technology companies.
Research and Innovation
Research and Innovation
Research & Innovation (R&I) is the lifeblood of Europe’s medical technology sector. Industry investment in R&I delivers life-enhancing devices, diagnostics and digital solutions. EU support for R&I offers valuable opportunities for academia and industry to generate new knowledge and use it to tackle the biggest challenges facing our societies. The quest for tomorrow’s healthcare innovations demands new, broad partnerships. R&I is most impactful when it is based on collaboration. MedTech Europe is committed to working with others in the public and private sectors to find shared solutions to our common challenges.
Ophthalmology
Ophthalmology
Vision loss can have a profound impact on those affected, resulting in lost independence and significantly limiting daily activities. Ageing increases the risk of eye diseases that can lead to visual impairment. The MedTech industry develops products that reduce the burden of eye disease on individuals, families and the wider economy. These innovations add enormous value to European society.
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIS)
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIS)
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI) are among the biggest global public health challenges of our time. These infections cause significant morbidity and mortality, put pressure on health systems, and incur rising direct and indirect costs.
Medical technologies can help to address these problems by preventing, detecting, monitoring and managing infections and resistance.
Cardiovascular
Cardiovascular
Cardiovascular diseases can impact millions of people of all ages. Diseases of the heart and circulatory system are the leading cause of death in Europe and a major cause of disability.
The medical technology industry provides high-quality solutions to the burden of cardiovascular diseases on individuals, families and the wider society. These innovations, which span the full spectrum of patient care from diagnosis to cure, save lives and add tremendous value to European society.
Orthopaedic
Orthopaedic
Orthopaedics is the medical specialty that focuses on injuries and diseases of the human body's musculoskeletal system. This complex system includes your bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and nerves and allows you to move, work, and be active.
The MedTech industry develops products that reduce the burden of musculoskeletal diseases on individuals, families and the wider economy. These innovations improve quality of life and add enormous value to European society.
Diabetes
Diabetes
1 in 11 adults around the world have diabetes. That’s about 60 million people across Europe, equivalent to the total Italian population. This number increases significantly every year. If current trends continue, diabetes will be the number one health threat in the coming years.
The European Diabetes Sector Group aims to reverse this trend by taking meaningful collective action to help avoid the diabetes pandemic where possible, and when diagnosis occurs to put people at the centre of care and give them back a full and fear-free life.
