BVMed Presents 10 Point Plan for Advanced Medical Technology
August 18, 2009 – 6:13 amBVMed wants its just published 10 point plan to be used as a basis for the health policy discussions that are to come in the next few months. The Bundestag election on 27 September 2009 will give increased impetus to a new government programme, says the German medical technology association. Its plan,”10 Points for Providing Patients with Advanced Medical Technology,” include the following recommendations:
1. The quality rating of medical devices must be demonstrated by means of the CE mark; this not only guarantees the safety of the product, but also stands for a proven performance capability. A distinctive CE-Med quality mark should be introduced for all medical devices.
2. Access to medical technical innovations should be much less bureaucratic and flexible. For faster access to technical progress, the remuneration of new examination and treatment methods within the Statutory Health Insurance (SHI) scheme should be simplified and deregulated.
3. Innovations should be introduced into hospitals without restrictions. Many innovations are first used in hospitals and this process must be continued to make innovative medical technologies available to all patients in Germany who need them without delay. The same procedure should also be possible for the outpatient sector.
4. An innovation pool should be introduced to accelerate the introduction of innovations into the SHI scheme. SHI would pay into the fund and the inclusion of additional funds such as research funding should also be considered.
5. A tax advantaged innovation savings scheme (Steuer-begünstigtes InnovationsSparen) similar to the pension savings scheme should be set up that would cover the great demand for additional services outside the current SHI range. This would create an important incentive for younger people in particular to make provisions ahead of time.
6. Health services research is a joint task for all players in the healthcare system and actively involving all players in this is important.
7. Cooperation between medical institutions and industry is essential for improved patient care. Profitable cooperation between companies, service providers, SHI physicians, hospital physicians and hospital operators is being restricted unnecessarily by the amendment of section 128 of the Social Security Code V (SGB V). There is urgent need for action to correct this situation.
8. The emphasis must be on the quality of medical devices and patients must be able to freely choose their service provider and their products to counter the trend towards cheap medical care.
9. Homecare should become regular part of SHI. Six million people in Germany use aids and appliances supplied by homecare companies and the number is rising daily. Patients should be entitled not only to the product (medical device,) but also to comprehensive homecare treatment.
10. Telemedicine should become part of regular care.
In addition, it is of particular importance, says BVMed, that medical devices are distinguished from pharmaceutical products. Its press release emphasises the point that with pharmaceutical products the effect is mainly reached in a pharmacological way; the effects that medical devices have on the human body should be understood in terms of functionality.
“Therefore, medical devices and pharmaceutical products need to be treated differently,” states BVMed Director General Joachim M. Schmitt. His core message is, “Medical devices are indispensable for health and a better quality of life. Medical technologies are an investment in life and productivity of people. Innovative medical technologies must be made available to all patients who require them without delay.”
To read the full BVMed press release click here
Annie Ellerton
Tags: BVMed, German medical technology market
