MedTech Europe’s response to EU funding for civil protection, preparedness and response to crisis

The medical technology industry is at the forefront of public health emergencies. Providing key medical countermeasures such as diagnostic technologies, ventilators, surgical masks and gloves, oxygen systems, drug and vaccine delivery devices and digital healthcare solutions were all essential during not only the COVID-19 pandemic but several other public health emergencies which emerged before and since.

As such we would like to stress several key aspects where EU funding for civil protection, preparedness and response to crises makes an effective difference in preparing an effective response to crisis. Structure and leadership EU Agencies have a key role to play in coordinating and ensuring the preparation of the EU for upcoming crisis. In particular our work with HERA, HaDEA and EMA have all proved invaluable so far, and we would strongly encourage the EU to continue to fund their work in the field of preparedness and crisis responses.

Procurement of medical countermeasures is a critical process which needs to be effectively funded. We have seen how joint procurement initiatives during a crisis can make a substantial difference in ensuring that limited resources can be procured and distributed where they are critically needed.

Stockpiling One key aspect being discussed and considered in ensuring preparedness for upcoming crisis is the possibility of stockpiling certain key medical countermeasures. While it is not always possible to do so in some cases (protective equipment, ICU systems etc) this can certainly do much to alleviate the impact of a crisis, especially in the crucial early stages.

Logistics was shown over and over again to be a point of failure during crisis in particular during the COVID-19 pandemic. We would strongly recommend that the EU Commission consider funding not only logistics to the point of use of medical countermeasures, but also to ensure the delivery of such countermeasures to national or European distribution hubs EU funds in this situation are invaluable as a tool as national measures will only address the needs of a single member state.

Data It is critical that data can be collected rapidly and unambiguously during a crisis one of the most challenging aspects of a systemic emergency is trying to cut through the fog to truly see what is happening on the ground, where resources are nice to have versus where they are critically needed and how to allocate the resources which are available investing in consistent, rapid and effective data collection both from a supply and from a demand side is of the essence to properly prepare for any upcoming crisis.

Research and Innovation not least it is essential that funds are made available to research new medical technologies which provide solutions to fill gaps in our emergency responses and improve our reactions in times of crisis. MedTech Europe, remains at the disposal of the EU Commission, its agencies and other institutions to continue to work towards ensuring we are prepared for the next crisis.