German Health Authority Eyes Future of Device, Drug Regulations

With an eye toward providing safe, effective medical devices to patients, Germany’s Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices is looking ahead to the challenges and opportunities that could present themselves over the next decade.

The regulatory body, part of Germany’s Federal Ministry of Health, has scheduled a meeting for September 15 and 16 in Bonn to discuss the future of health in the country and gain input from the medical device industry, regulators and research institutions. The event will feature a track on challenges facing industry, to include presentations by representatives from the country’s Federal Ministry of Health and BVMed, an association that represents Germany’s device manufacturers.

A session also is scheduled for the institute’s role in assessing complex medical devices.

Other sessions will explore combating counterfeit products, what role the institute can play in the European Medicines Agency’s agenda and expectations for the future of industry. — Elizabeth Hollis