Independent Conference Pre-Vetting System for the European Medical Technology Industry

Eucomed, the European medical technology industry association, will launch in early 2012 a conference pre-vetting system to review and approve third-party educational conferences and congresses in accordance with the ethical rules established in the Eucomed Code of Ethical Business Practice. Falling under the responsibility of the independent Eucomed Compliance Panel, the system will be binding on Eucomed members who must comply with the conference appraisal assessments.

It is the first system of its kind in the healthcare industry due to its mandatory nature. Appraisal criteria include aspects related to scientific programmes and location and venues. John McLoughlin, Chairman of the Compliance Panel, commented: "The conference pre-vetting system is a unique initiative in the healthcare sector. It will be supervised solely by our Panel which is a completely independent body. Eucomed members are required to follow the assessments which are issued by the Panel's Compliance Officer or the Panel itself. In this regard, if a conference receives a negative assessment, Eucomed members may not sponsor either the conference or individual healthcare professionals who wish to attend the conference." Additionally, the system will be fully transparent as each outcome will be made publicly available on a dedicated website and relevant stakeholders will be notified.

Under the Eucomed Code of Ethical Business Practice, Eucomed's corporate members may sponsor third-party educational conferences such as medical congresses, seminars, training courses and therapy-oriented training in order to promote scientific knowledge, medical advancement and assist in the delivery of effective healthcare by healthcare professionals (e.g. physicians, nurses), provided that the conferences comply with the Eucomed Code. Until now, the system was similar to those existing in other sectors and each Eucomed member had to make its own determination regarding compliance, including the bona fide nature of the educational and scientific content. The new Eucomed conference pre-vetting system will simplify decision-making by providing uniform compliance determinations applicable to all Eucomed members.

It is also a next step towards the harmonisation of the interpretation of the Eucomed Code of Ethical Business Practice across the industry which will result in increased consistency and transparency of industry behaviour. John Wilkinson, Eucomed's Chief Executive, said: "Such an independent system is not only necessary for our members in their day to day activities but it is also key to increase the consistency and transparency of industry behaviour. We, as an industry, have to make sure that all our relationships with healthcare professionals remain beyond reproach. This is why Eucomed fully supports this initiative." Additionally, the association would like to give key stakeholders the opportunity to comment on the system, particularly on the criteria that will be used for the assessments.

The conference pre-vetting system has been constructed to conform to anti-trust legislation. It will start off as a pilot, and will be evaluated and reviewed 6-12 months after its launch. Eucomed is supporting and sponsoring the system but its supervision falls under the independent Compliance Panel. The Panel's composition guarantees its independence and a balanced decision-making process.

About Eucomed
Eucomed is the European medical technology industry association. Its mission is to improve patient and clinician access to modern, innovative and reliable medical technology. Eucomed represents directly and indirectly 22,500 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 generates annual sales of €95 billion, invests some €7.5 billion in R&D and employs around 500,000 highly skilled workers. For more information visit www.eucomed.org.

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