Wiesbaden/Germany. The value of medical devices and innovative medical technologies in the German health care system will remain the top issue of the activities of BVMed, the German Medical Technology Association with its more than 170 member companies, stated Joachim M. Schmitt, Director General, when introducing the BVMed Annual Report 2000/01.

BVMed will continue to point out the importance of timely patient access to innovative medical technologies and will put the attention on restraints to this goal. The restraints range from increasing "criminalization" of the necessary sponsoring of medical research in hospitals, all the way to slow and intransparent health technology assessment procedures. Joachim M. Schmitt: "Timely patient access to new medical therapies, procedures and technologies is an essential part of high-quality provision of health care for the patients."

It is stated in BVMed's annual report that when developing and introducing the new reimbursement system in the hospital (G-DRG System – German Diagnosis Related Groups), industry should be involved from the beginning by accompanying and co-consulting the proceedings. A further focal point is Health Technology Assessment (HTA). The two committees "Federal Standing Committee of Physicians and Sickness Funds" (Bundesausschuss Ärzte - Krankenkassen) and "Federal Hospital Committee" (Bundesausschuss Krankenhaus) decide on the introduction of new medical technologies. However, the decision structures are nontransparent and too slow. Therefore, BVMed demands more efficient and more transparent decisions. "Industry has to be involved more in the procedures. The simple right to attend qualified hearings is not enough. Industry needs the right of initiative and participation", BVMed emphasized.

The just published 24-page Annual Report 2000/01 addresses the overall development of the medical technology industry as well as the issues of the specific working areas "health policy", "medical device legislation", "consumer protection" and "communication/press". 

• Print page
• Download as PDF
•  
• Back to overview