European Medical Technology Industry Adopts New Code of Ethical Business Practice

December 2, 2015—MedTech Europe announced that members of the European Diagnostics Manufacturers Association (EDMA) and the European Medical Technology Industry (Eucomed) have approved a new Code of Ethical Business Practice. The new code is part of a continuous effort to set high ethical standards for the medical technology industry across Europe. EDMA and Eucomed, which are members of MedTech Europe, conducted the votes at their General Assemblies held December 2 in Brussels, Belgium.

In a move to put forward clearer and more stringent self-regulation, the code will replace the EDMA and Eucomed codes of business practice and will be known as the MedTech Europe Code of Business Practice. The new code can be downloaded online at http://www.medtecheurope.org/node/715.

According to MedTech Europe, the decision to adopt a common code was driven by the need for a harmonized standard of ethics. EDMA’s and Eucomed’s current codes were established in 2007 and 2008, respectively, and had their own specificities, which created inconsistencies in the rules applied to the industry. With the deepening collaboration between EDMA and Eucomed, both organizations saw the need to align their codes.

The new MedTech Europe code regulates all aspects of the industry’s relationship with health care professionals and health care organizations, such as company-organized events, arrangements with consultants, research, and financial support to medical education. The code also introduces a common independent enforcement mechanism.

The new MedTech Europe Code of Business Practice will become binding for EDMA and Eucomed corporate members by January 1, 2017. It will set the minimum standard by which industry members operate across Europe.

In the announcement, Rob Ten Hoedt, Chairman of MedTech Europe and Eucomed, commented, “We are proud that the European medical technology industry has adopted one of the most modern and progressive codes of conduct, with strict, clear, and transparent rules.”

Jürgen Schulze, Vice Chair of MedTech Europe and President of EDMA, added, “This is a landmark vote that reflects both how our industry is changing and how our partnership with health care professionals and health care organizations has evolved.”

On November 23, Patrick W. Serruys, MD, Editor-in-Chief of EuroIntervention; William Wijns, MD, Chairman of PCR; and Stephan Windecker, President of the European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions, announced the expedited publication of their editorial in EuroIntervention, addressing the impact of the new code, particularly on continuing medical education.