BVMed: Strengthening the medical technology location and attracting young talent

The German medical technology sector is a driver of innovation and the future throughout Europe. 36 billion euros of the total turnover of 95 billion euros comes from Germany. With a share of 9.9 % of the global market, the German medical technology sector is in second place after the USA (38.8 %), ahead of China and Japan. BVMed CEO Dr Meinrad Lugan describes the medical technology sector as a "flagship for the German economy": "We are drivers of innovation. We are a job engine. We have hidden champions and are world export champions. We have 93 per cent SMEs. There is a lot at stake for Germany. Because: Germany as a medical technology location is at great risk.

Homemade problems are slowing down the industry

In addition to the massive increase in costs for energy, raw materials and logistics as well as inflation and rising wages, this is primarily due to home-made problems: a complicated regulatory system for medical products, excessive bureaucratisation and regulatory frenzy as well as sluggish digitalisation in the healthcare system and a lack of data usage. We are not sending out any signals in favour of an innovation-friendly location," said Lugan. He demands: „In order to keep top talent in the country and develop innovations here, we need better framework conditions.“

5-point plan to strengthen Germany as a centre for medical technology

The coalition agreement of the federal government offers good approaches for this, but one and a half years later there has been little sign of this so far. „Words must now be followed by deeds“, urges the German Medical Technology Association and suggests a 5-point plan. In its position paper, it calls for holistic and strategic approaches to strengthen Germany as a medical technology location and for the integration of company expertise. The demands of the German Medical Technology Association include a person appointed by the federal government for the industrial healthcare sector, a strengthening of resilience and supply chains, a moratorium on burdens and de-bureaucratisation;rocratisation offensive for the SME-driven sector, fast-track procedures for innovations with clear deadlines and simple recognition procedures for required specialists.

Image campaign shows the fascination of the medical technology sector

„We also need the announced new German pace for Germany as a medical technology location“, said BVMed Chairman of the Board Dr Meinrad Lugan and BVMed CEO Dr Marc-Pierre Möll at the presentation of the association's economic, research and healthcare policy position paper.

Parallel to the economic policy package of demands, BVMed is launching a new image campaign to emphasise the fascination and importance of the medical technology sector. In addition, the aim is to inspire young talent for medical technology.

Article from "medizin & technik" from 10 May 2023