Berlin/Germany. In order to exploit the opportunities offered by the healthcare economy for economic and employment growth, the exchange of views between the ministries of health, finance and research must be intensified and a new culture of dialogue must be established with all stakeholders in the healthcare economy. This was the view expressed by BVMed Chairman of the Board Anton J Schmidt (Johnson & Johnson, Ethicon) at the association’s general assembly in Berlin on 16 March 2005.

All stakeholders must act together as partners in a new, modern and dynamic healthcare economy. Any opportunities for both the sector and for Germany can only be exploited in a joint effort – also and especially for the benefit of the patients, Mr Schmidt said.

Modern medical technologies could act as a driving force for the healthcare economy. Healthcare was on the brink of a medical technology revolution, which would also pose ethical questions. The BVMed Chairman added that there would be a need for an open discussion as to how medical technology innovations could be speedily made available to patients in the future. “It is for this reason that we require a new orientation of the German health system towards a modern and innovative healthcare economy. We need more competitive elements, more freedom of choice and more individual responsibility on the part of the health insurance funds members, as well as improved conditions for research and development,” said Mr Schmidt.

The German medical technology sector ranks amongst the best worldwide and would have an undoubted opportunity for strong growth in a healthcare economy that is fit for the future. However, there is currently a sense that the sector is being “restrained rather than injected with creative vitality” said the BVMed chairman in front of some 120 delegates from the fields of politics, industry, the medical profession, health insurance and the media.

Guest speakers at the BVMed annual meeting included Professor Dr Fritz Beske, Founder and Director of the Fritz Beske Institute for Health System Research in Kiel, who offered perspectives in healthcare policies, and Mario Ohoven, President of the Federal Association of Medium-Sized Companies, who spoke of the need for “an integration of economic, social and educational policies”.

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