(02/2023) Several industry associations had already sounded the alarm at Medica: the Ukraine war, supply chain disruptions, rising material, energy and logistics costs - all of this is making the German medtech industry more and more unable to breathe. Not to mention the MDR challenge (we reported). Warnings and criticism are one thing, concrete action another. The “Health Management Round Table” is an important first step in this direction.
The federal government must strengthen the international competitiveness and innovation of the German medtech industry. That was the common central message of the five industry associations of the medical technology and diagnostics industry BVMed, Spectaris, VDDI, VDGH and ZVEI at the kick-off event for the "Health Industry Round Table" of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK) at the end of November.
Medical products: Focus on competitiveness and innovationFor this it is necessary to simplify and accelerate the translation processes from research to product application in Germany, the associations told the Federal Minister of Economics, Dr. Robert Habeck and the Parliamentary State Secretary Dr. Franziska Brantner.
The associations pointed out that the medium-sized medtech industry was under great pressure due to the explosion in energy, raw material and transport prices as well as the new EU regulations for medical devices and diagnostics (MDR and IVDR). It is all the more necessary to give small and medium-sized companies better support in the transition to MDR and IVDR through funding programs and networks for clinical data.
In addition, the market launch of innovations must be accelerated. "Germany must develop suitable instruments for evaluating methods and give companies access to health services research data," said BVMed CEO Dr. Meinrad Lugan on behalf of the medtech associations. From the point of view of the associations, the main goals are as follows:
- Strengthening of Germany as a medtech location in the direction of strategic resilience,
- Maintaining innovative strength by reducing the high level of bureaucracy and using health data,
- Creation of a climate-friendly healthcare system as part of a sustainability strategy.
The Round Table Health Management of the BMWK and the associations of the industrial health management is designed as a common, multi-year dialogue format. It is intended to strengthen the competitiveness and innovative ability of companies, improve the location conditions in Germany and make the industrial healthcare industry more visible.
By the end of 2023, five working meetings with different thematic priorities are planned.
5-point immediate program from SpectarisAt the same time, the industry association Spectaris followed suit. In view of the "existence-threatening challenges" for the German high-tech industry, the association turned to the federal government with a "5-point immediate program". The association sees an urgent need for action with regard to research, foreign, SME and labor market policy. The aim must be to avert long-term negative consequences for the German economic structure. "The time for hesitation is over," says Spectaris Chairman Ulrich Krauss. The requirements at a glance:
- In view of the shortage of skilled workers, significant barriers to qualified migration must be removed. A professional qualification acquired in another European country must be recognized as equivalent more quickly and with less bureaucracy.
- Increased research funding. No budget cuts for proven funding programs as provided for in the current federal budget. Increase in the tax research allowance quota from 25 to 40 percent
