WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last month, Zimmer CEO David Dvorak was named chairman of a medical device trade association.
The Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed) Thursday unveiled a strategic plan that will guide its policy and advocacy activities for the medical device industry.
And AdvaMed cites the pending medical device tax as an issue to tackle.
“The timeliness and predictability of FDA reviews, the medical device tax, delivery system reforms – these are just a few of the issues that threaten the U.S. medical technology industry’s global leadership in innovation and ones that AdvaMed will continue to focus on,” said Stephen J. Ubl, president and CEO of AdvaMed. “At the same time, an aging global population, a rise in chronic disease and growing pressure on countries to reduce health care costs provide the industry with enormous opportunities.”
“AdvaMed’s strategic plan provides a framework to address many of the medical device industry’s challenges and opportunities,” said Dvorak. “Pursuing these priorities will help ensure the continued flow of life-saving medical devices and diagnostics to patients and will maintain the industry as a source of well-paying, high-tech jobs.”
Dvorak highlighted three key elements of the strategic plan and indicated they will be top priorities for his chairmanship:
– Capitalize on Emerging Market Opportunities – To meet the demand of governments and patients around the world seeking advanced medical technologies to solve their health care challenges, AdvaMed will increase its international presence in key markets such as China, Brazil and India to address the growing regulatory, payment and advocacy needs of its members.
– Build Research Capacity – To provide the sound science and objective evidence needed to enlighten policy arguments, AdvaMed will build an in‐house research capability to develop analyses and responses to the sweeping payment reforms taking place in the U.S. and to the regulatory, fiscal, tax, legal and other challenges facing the industry.
– Engage Members and Other Stakeholders – To more effectively tell the important story about the patient and economic benefits the industry provides, AdvaMed will strengthen the reach and effectiveness of its advocacy efforts by improving its communications and engagement with member company employees, patient groups and providers.
