Medical devices

Better access to health innovation is Kyriakides’ top priority (and hardest task)

With increased powers, Health Commissioner-designate Stella Kyriakides is tasked with striking a difficult balance between making sure there is a steady supply of affordable medicines and ensuring that EU pharma industry remains a world leader in innovation.

Katainen: Same level of priority for food and medicine in no-deal Brexit

Medicine supplies and food safety standards are both vital and the EU cannot prioritise one over the other in the event of a no-deal Brexit, Vice President of the Commission Jyrki Katainen said on Thursday (4 April).

Pharma industry urges EU leaders to ‘re-focus’ on patients post-Brexit

The EU pharma industry has prepared for a hard Brexit scenario but this is not enough as EU leaders need to take specific measures to ensure medical supplies after the UK departure, EU pharma chief Stefan Oschmann has said.   

Trade secrets called into question in ‘Implant Files’ investigation

The French transposition of the European directive on trade secrets has hindered access to certain documents required for the “Implant Files” investigation. EURACTIV France reports.

“Time is Brain”: How ERDF funds save lives in Berlin

The most comprehensive EU regional development instrument is the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). But in most cases, its work remains largely unknown to the public. An example from Berlin shows how it literally saves lives. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Commission reassures ‘worried’ member states on Health Technology Assessment

The Commission’s upcoming proposal on Health Technology Assessment (HTA) will focus on clinical aspects and leave member states to decide on economic or ethical parts, a European Commission spokesperson told EURACTIV.com.

Brexit regulatory uncertainty ‘threatens UK med tech’

Regulatory uncertainty in the wake of Brexit could leave Britain's multi-billion-pound medical technology industry out in the cold, with separate regulatory systems threatening exports and jobs.

Parliament wants medical devices traced, scrutinised

After almost five years of talks with member states, on Wednesday (5 April), the European Parliament adopted two new regulations imposing stricter rules on medical devices’ safety.

Airlines failing to accommodate passengers in need of oxygen treatment

Airlines are unfairly discriminating against passengers that need to bring portable oxygen tanks with them on their flights. Susanna Palkonen explains the obstacles many people face.

Breast implant victims win payout from German safety body

A French court on Friday ordered German safety certifier TUV to pay €60 million in compensation to 20,000 women who received defective breast implants that the group had approved.

Health minister: Drugs pricing will top Malta’s EU presidency

The Maltese EU presidency will seek more transparency in the way pharmaceutical companies negotiate with member states on medicines’ pricing, Health Minister Chris Fearne said in an interview with EURACTIV.

Andriukaitis: Health Technology Assessment will make EU healthcare ‘sustainable’

EXCLUSIVE / National healthcare systems should embrace the digital era and use Health Technology Assessment (HTA) to become truly sustainable and cost-effective, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Vytenis Andriukaitis told EURACTIV.com in an interview.

New medical devices rules should avoid ‘unnecessary’ red tape, industry says

The implementation of new rules on medical devices should avoid extra burdens and unnecessary bureaucracy, health industry officials have told EURACTIV.com.

MedTech: Investing in medical technology can fix inefficiencies

Healthcare systems must pay for the medical technology bill - but they should do it smartly, so that therapies, used in the right way with the right patients, can help save costs, MedTech's chief executives believe.

Parliament wants tougher medical devices control without extra burdens for SMEs

The European Parliament on Tuesday (22 October) voted to improve the control on medical devices via strengthened traceability rules and transparency of information for patients and medical staff, but without creating additional burdens for small manufacturers.

Parliament wants stricter control on medical devices

The European Parliament on Tuesday (22 October) voted to improve the control for medical devices via strengthened traceability rules and transparency of information for patients and medical staff, but without creating additional burden for small manufacturers.

MEPs can make an informed decision on medical devices in Europe

On 22 October, the Parliament will vote to decide the course of the EU's Medical Devices Regulation, but several of the amendments proposed by the ENVI Committee could endanger patients, in particular one that allows for the re-use of all medical devices, says Serge Bernasconi.

MEPs vote for stricter approval system for medical devices

The European Parliament's committee for the environment and public health (Envi) on Wednesday (25 September) voted for stricter rules on medical devices, including a new pre-market approval system, more transparency and better traceability.

A few points that MEPs must consider ahead of medical devices vote

The European Parliament will vote soon on medical devices regulation, but a new set of amendments, which most MEPs have not had the time to assess, are being rushed through, says Serge Bernasconi.

Medical devices rules: Patients’ safety must be reinforced

The inadequacy of the EU's legislation on medical devices was highlighted by several recent serious safety problems. In order to regain citizens’ trust, the European Union must reinforce its legislative framework, write several associations.

Danes want chemicals out of medical devices

Danish Health Minister Astrid Krag wants phthalate chemicals, which are used to soften plastic, phased out as part of the EU's new medical devices regulation.