EU policy makers requested to remove innovation barriers and conduct in-depth survey
A survey among twelve national medical technology industry associations in Europe identified four significant barriers that confront SMEs at EU level in their strive for innovation. The barriers are related to consistent application of EU regulation, regulation inhibiting novel technology commercialisation, access to R&D funding programmes and access to distribution channels. Strengthening and developing EU policies that support innovation among SME’s is part of the ‘Europe 2020 Strategy’ and Eucomed, the European medical technology industry association, requests the European Commission to work together with the industry in removing these barriers and to jointly conduct a more comprehensive in-depth survey among medical technology SMEs to clarify and target their needs in detail.
In January 2010, Eucomed established an SME Task Force to determine the size of the medical technology industry and identify the specific challenges and opportunities that SMEs in Europe face. The Task Force conducted a survey among national industry associations in twelve countries including Germany, UK and France which led to the following recommendations to the European Commission:
- A coordinated and transparent programme of market surveillance by Member State Authorities targeting specific product groups so as to ensure a level playing field for both EU and imported medical devices;
- A “smarter” regulatory process whereby novel technologies can be commercialised faster to give patients faster access to innovative treatments;
- Easier processes for applying for EU R&D Funding Programmes, including the Framework Programme and Cohesion Funds, and options that allow SMEs to effectively access these funds;
- Proactive sharing of information by Member State Competent Authorities on market access models and distribution channels to enlarge the overall market within the EU.
In addition, the SME Task Force requests the European Commission to conduct a comprehensive, in-depth survey of medical technology SMEs, in conjunction with Eucomed and the national trade associations, to further map SMEs, identify measures such as revenue, employment, R&D and their priority needs. This would help to clarify and target the needs demonstrated by survey from the Eucomed Task Force.
Speaking on behalf of Eucomed’s SME Task Force, Sharon Higgins, Director of the Irish Medical Devices Association, said: “SMEs are being more exposed to the effects of the recession than bigger companies and their needs in overcoming the recession are the concern of the entire medical technology industry. Our survey highlights the significant role that the European Commission can play in improving the business environment of SMEs.”
The survey report will be used as a follow-up to the processes and actions decided at the High-Level High Level Conference on Medical Devices of 22 March and at the Innovation in Healthcare from Research to Market Conference of 30-31 March 2011.
“Our request to the European Commission to conduct a comprehensive, in-depth survey of medical technology SMEs together with the industry would further map medical technology SMEs, clarify and target their needs and confirm that there are specific steps that can be taken immediately. These steps will play a key role in enabling the medical technology industry to deliver medical technologies that will benefit patients and healthcare systems”, added John Wilkinson, Eucomed Chief Executive.
