'New thinking' on Healthcare in an economic crisis
As European economies are being hit hard by the financial and debt crisis, policymakers are under pressure to balance budgets. Budget cuts are affecting social services throughout Europe, including healthcare. Rising unemployment and income inequalities threaten to roll back the achievements of past decades in improving the general level of healthcare in European societies.
The World Health Organisation is ringing the alarm bell and reducing health inequities features prominently among the objectives of its upcoming “Health 2020” strategy for the European region.
Despite the crisis, the EU still views the healthcare sector as a potential driver for economic growth. With Horizon 2020, a research and innovation programme to replace the traditional EU research Framework Programmes, the European Commission is putting more emphasis on supporting market players in innovative technologies.
European voice hosted a debate on 19th March 2012 on healthcare and the economic crisis. A panel consisted of Natalie Chaze of DG Sanco, Professor Mark McCarthy of University College London and Josep Figueras of WHO.
McCarthy stated that countries should recognise the difference between health and healthcare and urged for greater attention and resources to be dedicated to prevention rather than treatment.
Chaze discussed Health technology assessment and stressed the importance of a holistic approach to healthcare spending. Price, she said. is only one of many factors that must be considered when making spending decisions on services and medical technology.
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CE Marking website goes live
The European Commission has announced the launch of the CE marking website, aimed at producing 'a one-stop-shop' for CE related information, available in 24 languages. The site guides manufacturers through the process of obtaining CE certification. The site provides details on applicable Commission Directives and allows manufacturers to verify the need for involvement of a notified body. View more
EDMA and EUCOMED to establish European industry federation
On the 17th January 2012 EDMA, the European Diagnostic Manufacturers Association and EUCOMED, representing the medical technology industry in Europe, announced that their respective members have decided to join forces under the umbrella of a European industry federation.
The creation of a European industry federation builds on the longstanding relationship between the two associations and aims to ensure the place of IVDs and medical technology at the forefront of twenty-first century healthcare and healthcare policy.
The two associations are seeking to employ a joint Chief Executive to head the federation and drive forward future activities by defining a new organisational strategy. The associations will remain organised as two separate and distinct legal entities. The industry federation’s membership is open to other European associations operating in the medical industry.