Brussels, 4 November 2008 – Eucomed welcomes the communication on telemedicine released today by the Directorate General Information Society.
The actions proposed by the Commission are:
As the voice of the medical technology industry in Europe, Eucomed supports the actions to be taken by the Commission and calls on Member States to contribute by implementing the essential follow-up action at national level. Through its innovations, e.g. in the field of telemonitoring, medical technology can help to increase the cost-effectiveness of medical care, to better integrate hospital and primary care, and to improve patients’ quality of life.
“Eucomed is pleased to see communication published. The potential benefits to patients and healthcare systems of telemedicine are huge, and they are researched and reported at an increasing rate” says Markus Siebert, Chair of Eucomed’s Working Group on Cardiac Rhythm Management Telemonitoring. “The Commission Communication is refreshingly clear in pointing out those benefits, but also with respect to the current obstacles to implementation, one of them being the lack of reimbursement schemes for telemonitoring solutions. Eucomed looks forward to continuing its good working relationship with the European Commission and Member States to further build confidence in these new technologies and to provide additional data showing the benefits for patients and the cost-effectiveness for healthcare systems” ends Siebert.
One of Eucomed's main priorities is to help policymakers throughout Europe find better solutions to treat patients. The association believes this can be achieved through increased collaboration on issues such as funding, reimbursement and patient access.
Eucomed is the Voice of the medical technology industry in Europe. Eucomed represents directly and indirectly 4500 designers, manufacturers and suppliers of medical technology used in the diagnosis, prevention, treatment and amelioration of disease and disability. Small and medium sized companies make up more than 80% of this sector. The European medical technology industry invests some EUR 3.8 billion in research and development and employs near to 435,000 highly skilled workers. The mission of Eucomed is to improve patient and clinician access to modern, innovative and reliable medical technology.
Mark Grossien
Director Communications and External Affairs
mark.grossien(at)eucomed(dot)be
+32 (0)2.775.92.24
