Medical Technology Group

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The Medical Technology Group (MTG) is a trade organization, working for different companies, patient groups, charities and other trade associations in the pharmaceutical industry. The MTG was launched in 2000 to make medical technologies available to everyone who needs them. The MTG works towards achieving a cutting edge NHS where patients are guaranteed access to effective medical technologies. [1] The MTG does not have any competitors, like they write on their homepage, they are “the only UK coalition of industry groups and patient charities working together to improve patient access to effective medical technologies”. [2]


AdvaMed, a members of the MTG, writes on their homepage that, “the Medical Technology Group represents drug and device manufacturers and trade associations on all aspects of federal and state regulation of medical technology, including the requirements of the Food and Drug Administration, Health Care Financing Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Federal Trade Commission, and State Medicaid Agencies”. [3]

Economy

Many, including The MTG, believe that that the uptake of medical technologies is not as good as it should be in the UK. The UK medical technology sector in 2010 consists of 3034 companies generating a turnover of £13.1bn and employing 55 000 individuals. Barbara Harpham, Medical Technology Group chairman and director of Heart Research UK claims that, UK lag behind many other European countries, with problems like hospitals denying patients NICE-approved technologies because they lack the facilities or staff to support their use. [4] Norman Lamb MP, the Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, agree that it should be more focus on medical technology. He says that, “adoption of medical technologies is often both cost effective and in the patient’s interest. Up until now, the NHS has been slow to recognise the value of technology. This has to change if we are to maximise the effective use of resources for the benefit of patients”. [5]


“The global medical technology market is estimated to be worth £150-170bn and the proportion of healthcare expenditure spent on medical technology is increasing. The USA is the largest market worth over £70bn and has a strong supply base with the majority of world’s largest medical technology companies originating in the country”. [6] “The UK spends just 4.5% of its healthcare budget on technology, compared with a European average of 6.3%. This leads to British patients missing out, for example life saving pacemakers are implanted in Germany at twice the UK rate”. [7]

Medical Technology

AdvaMed claims that medical technology is used to diagnose, monitor or treat every disease or condition that affects humans. They write that these innovative technologies are improving the quality of health care delivered and patient outcomes through earlier diagnosis, less invasive treatment options and reductions in hospital stays and rehabilitation times. [8] Barbara Harpham says that, “slashing budgets is counterproductive as modern technologies help thousands of people stay in work and out of hospital” [9] The global medical publisher, BMJ Group writes that, “medical technologies can improve clinical outcomes and experiences of patients and support the wellbeing and personal development of individuals. They can help to achieve savings for the NHS and other areas of public spending in a tight budgetary climate, by improving rehabilitation and independence, supporting care closer to home, and reducing planned and emergency hospital admissions”. [10]


The Medical Technology Group have worked to improve patient access to effective medical technologies, such as Computer Navigated Orthopaedic Surgery, Spinal Cord Stimulator, heart blankets [11] and insulin pumps. [12] None of the products they have promoted have failed. The products they introduce for patients in the UK have been carefully tested, before the Medical Technology Group distributes information about them. As a result, none of their products can be said to have failed.


Heart blankets is an example of a product the Medical Technology Group have promoted on their websites and in other medias. Scientists at Leeds University are at a crucial stage in the development of an innovative artificial heart muscle that helps the heart to beat, called heart blankets. “The technology, made of a web of special material positioned around the heart, has sensors that recognise when the heart wants to beat, triggering a series of miniature motors to make the web contract, helping the heart push blood around the body”. [13]. Barbara Harpham claims that this is an amazing new technology that could benefit thousands and save a massive amount of money for the NHS. She says that it’s great that it is being developed in the UK and funded by a UK charity, and that this is a product that can benefit many patients and their families. [14]


The MTG members

The Medical Technology Group consists of 40 members, and it works as a partnership. “Partnerships are defined as purposive strategic relationships between independent firms who share compatible goals, strive for mutual benefit, and acknowledge a high level of mutual interdependence. They join efforts to achieve goals that each firm, acting alone, could not attain easily”. [15]


List of members:

AdvaMed, Abbot Medical Optics, AntiCoagulation Europe, ARMA, Arrhythmia Alliance, Arthritis Care, Atrial Fibrillation Association, Association of British Healthcare Industries, BD, Bladder and Bowel Foundation, Boston Scientific, British Cardiac Patients’ Association, Cardiomyopathy Association, Circulation Foundation, ConvaTec, CR Bard, Dexcom, Eucomed, FABLE, FEmISA, Heart Research UK, ICD Group, Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia Info and Support, International Alliance of Patients’ Organizations, INPUT, Johnson & Johnson, The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, The Lindsay Leg Club Foundation, Medtronic, National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society, The Patients Association, Patient Information Forum, Pelvic Pain Support Network, Roche Diagnostics, SADS UK, St Jude Medical, STARS, Stryker, Transplant Support Network, Zimmer.[16]


The MTG includes individual medical technology companies as well as trade associations. Here are three, a bit deeper, examples of members of the MTG: Association of British Healthcare Industries, AdvaMed, Eucomed as well as individual medical technology companies.


The Association of British Healthcare Industries

The Association of British Healthcare Industries (ABHI) is the industry association for the medical technology sector in the UK. They represent companies whose output makes up for around eighty five percent of the industry’s total. ABHI was formed 20 years ago to address Industry’s need to engage with the fast moving regulatory landscape and to support UK companies export their products around the world. ABHI has teams focusing on: UK market affairs; research & innovation; international policy; communications and public affairs; technical and regulatory issues; environmental issues; and events and exhibitions. They state that their membership includes some of the leading multinational businesses in the sector in the UK right the way through to small and medium sized enterprises. ABHI aim is to promote the rapid adoption of medical technologies to ensure optimum patient outcomes throughout the UK and in key global markets. ABHI membership is open to manufacturers as well as service companies involved in the health sector, such as distributors, professional groups and lawyers. [17]


AdvaMed

Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed) is the owner of The Medical Technology Group, logo with slogan (Improving patient access to medical technology). [18] AdvaMed lobby politicians in support of legislation that will lead to faster approval of new medical technologies. They want to reduce the regulatory burden, and therefore the cost, of introducing new medical technologies into the market. AdvaMed state that they represents the interests of companies that make medical devices and diagnostic equipment. [19]


Eucomed

Eucomed represents 4500 designers, manufacturers and suppliers of medical technology used in the diagnosis, prevention, treatment and amelioration of disease and disability. Their members include national trade and pan-European product associations and internationally active manufacturers of all types of medical technology. Their mission is to “improve patient and clinician access to modern, innovative and reliable medical technology”. [20]

Benefits of the MTG-membership

The MTG sends out a weekly report to their members with all media coverage, Parliamentary activity and government announcements relevant to the MTG. In the report, members of the MTG also get information about the MTG and Weber Shandwick activity “to keep all members in the loop” [21] The MTG membership also includes: ▪ “Access to professional public affairs advice on matters relating to the Group ▪ Training workshops on lobbying effectiveness, media training and other topics ▪ Opportunities to meet and network with MPs, patient and professional groups and regulatory bodies such as NICE and NHS PASA”. [22]


As a member of the MTG, organizations can be profiled on a variety of events, such as: ▪ “The Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat annual conferences ▪ The Medical Technology Showcase in the Houses of Parliament where your technologies could be exhibited to MPs and Lords ▪ Articles in the MTG’s full-colour ‘Bulletin’ which reaches 1,000 senior health decision-makers in parliament and the NHS”. [23]

Contacts

The MTG lists its PR and lobbying company, Weber Shandwick, as the MTG's secretariat and contact point. Weber Shandwick is the UK subsidiary of Weber Shandwick Worldwide, one of the biggest global PR companies, owned by Interpublic. In 2006, the UK subsidiary had a fee income of £28 million. The company has strong ties to the Labour Party through its CEO Colin Byrne. [24] “Weber Shandwick is to lobby on behalf of a body pushing for greater use of technology in the NHS”. [25]


“The head office of Weber Shandwick UK and Ireland is located at:


Weber Shandwick

Fox Court


14 Gray's Inn Road


London


WC1X 8WS


Switchboard: 020 7067 0000


Fax: 0844 875 1463” [26]

"Weber Shandwick provides the Secretariat to the MTG". [27] If you want to contact the MTG secretariat, use this email: mail@mtg.org.uk [28]

Management Committee

“Members of the committee are:

▪ Chair – Barbara Harpham, Heart Research UK

▪ Vice-Chair – Richard Phillips, Medtronic

▪ Treasurer – Sandra Lawrence, Stryker

▪ John Davis, INPUT

▪ Joe Gatewood, AdvaMed

▪ Nathalie Verin, Boston Scientific

▪ Kieran Murphy, Johnson & Johnson

▪ Joanna Fearnley, Arrhythmia Alliance” [29]


Barbara Harpham

Position of the MTG: Chair

Other job: National Director of Heart Research UK [30]

Info about the Hearth Research UK: Heart Research UK was founded in 1967. At this time, cardiac surgery carried serious risks and patients were dying unnecessarily because of the lack of research in heart disease, especially surgical techniques. Today, Heart Research UK is a visionary charity that leads the way funding ground breaking, innovative medical research projects at the cutting edge of science into the prevention, treatment and cure of heart disease. [31]

Further information about Barbara Harpham: Barbara was, until May 2007, a local Councillor, former Cabinet member and Group Leader on Redcar and Cleveland Council. [32]


Heart Research UK, Contact info:

Tel: 0113 234 7474


Email: info@heartresearch.org.uk

Heart Research UKs homepage: http://www.heartresearch.org.uk/


Richard Phillips

Position of the MTG: Vice-Chair

Other jobs: Gov.&Ind. Affairs Manager of Medtronic, and Director of IMSTA [33]

Info about Medtronic: Medtronic was founded in 1949 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. They claim that they are now the global leader in medical technology, alleviating pain, restoring health and extending life for millions of people around the world [34]

Info about IMSTA: IMSTA is the abbreviation for The Irish Medical and Surgical Trade Association, and was established in 1982 to represent the Medical Technology supply industry in Ireland. There goals is: “To improve patient outcomes by promoting better access to optimal medical technologies, to promote the value of the medical device supply industry, to foster an appropriate regulatory environment, and to promote a competitive marketplace. [35]

Further information about Richard Phillips: Richard comes from Blackpool, Lancashire in England, and read a first degree in Sports Science at Brighton Polytechnic before entering the industry as a pharmaceutical representative with pharmaceutical company, Glaxo. “He has been with Medtronic since 1997 and holds postgraduate qualifications in Health Economics for the Universities of Aberdeen and Keele from where he also received an MBA in 2003. As well as IMSTA, Richard is active in the work of the Association of British Healthcare Industries, Eucomed and Advamed. Early in 2008, Richard spent 3 months living and working in Washington DC in Medtronic's Government Affairs Office. He currently serves as the Chair of ABHI's Parliamentary working group and as a member of the Technology Appraisal Advisory Committee of the UK National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. Away from work, Richard's major passion is the Cornish Pirates rugby team, for whom he sponsored a player for each of the last three seasons.” Richard and his wife, Luan, live in North Birmingham and West Cornwall, and got their first child in April 2009. [36]


Richard Phillips, Contact info:

Work tel: +44 (1)92 320 5128

E-mail: richard.phillips@medtronic.com

Medtronics homepage: http://www.medtronic.co.uk/

IMSTAs homepage: http://www.imsta.ie/


Sandra Lawrence

Position of the MTG: Treasurer

Other job: Public Affairs and Health Policy Manager at Stryker UK. [37]

Info about Stryker UK: Stryker was founded in 1941. [38] “Stryker Corporation is a leader in the worldwide orthopaedic market and is one of the world’s largest medical device companies. Stryker delivers results through a wide range of capabilities including joint replacements, trauma, spine and micro implant systems, orthobiologics, powered surgical instruments, surgical navigation systems, endoscopic products as well as patient handling and emergency medical equipment”. [39]

Further information about Sandra Lawrence: Sandra lives in Guildford, UK, and used to work as Group Marketing Manager at Stryker. She also represent “Stryker on ABHI Council and other working groups to include:
Public Affairs & Policy Working Group
Health Technology Assessment Group
Orthopaedics Working Group
Spine Working Group
Surgical Instruments Working Group
E-Business & Supply Chain Working Group
PbR Working Group
Procurement Policy Working Group.
Ensure information fed into senior members of organisation on changes in the NHS environment and government policy that may influence Strykers business, and advise on actions of change to meet the business needs”. [40]


Stryker UK, Contact info:

Tel: +44 (0) 1635 262 400

E-mail: Unknown, but its possible to contact Stryker UK through their homepage

Stryker’s homepage: http://www.stryker.co.uk/


John Davis

Position of the MTG: A part of the management committee

Other job: Founder of INPUT

Info about INPUT: John Davis became the founder of INPUT in 1998. INPUT is an independent, not-for-profit organisation run by insulin pump users and their families to raise awareness of diabetes technology, including insulin pump therapy, in the UK. [41] INPUT writes on their homepage that they serve “as a clearinghouse for information on insulin pump therapy and an advocacy group for consistent funding for insulin pump therapy across the UK. NHS Primary Care Trusts must comply with NICE Technology Appraisals, but inadequate governmental supervision of their implementation and little support from the Department of Health to establish best practices have made the NICE guidance on insulin pump therapy very difficult to enforce. INPUT works with Diabetes UK, the JDRF, the Department of Health, members of Parliament, the diabetes care industry, consultant diabetologists, diabetes specialist nurses, general practitioners, and the Insulin Pump Association to bring about full adoption of the NICE guidance on insulin pump therapy”. [42]

Further information about John Davis: John is a pump user himself since 1997. [43]. He has type 1 diabetes and is not a medical professional. [44]


INPUT and John Davis, Contact info:

INPUTs tel: 0800 228 9977

INPUTs e-mail: input.enquiries@gmail.com

John Davis’s e-mail: john.davis@input.me.uk

INPUTs homepage: http://www.input.me.uk/

Notes

  1. ↑ ABHI Medical Technology Group, accessed Feb 2011
  2. ↑ MTG Competitors, accessed 11.02.2011
  3. ↑ AdvaMed Associate Members, accessed 02.03.2011
  4. ↑ Nursing Times NHS 'must boost use of technology' or risk falling behind 25.11.2009, accessed 09.04.2011
  5. ↑ Scottish Healthcare Medical Technology Group Warns Against ‘Slow-Tech’ NHS 25.11.2009, accessed 04.042011
  6. ↑ Department for Business, Innovation & Skills [http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/business-sectors/docs/s/10-p90-strength-and-opportunity-bioscience-and-health-technology-sectors.pdf Strength and Opportunity] Dec 2010, accessed 28.03.2011
  7. ↑ MTG MTG Policy Statements, accessed 11.02.2011
  8. ↑ AdvaMed What is Medical Technology?, 14.09.2004, accessed 06.04.2011
  9. ↑ Scottish Healthcare NHS 'must boost use of technology, 25.11.2009, accessed 09.04.2011
  10. ↑ BMJ Group UK must increase uptake of medical technology to close gap with Europe 03.02.2011, accessed 03.04.2011
  11. ↑ MTG Key Facts accessed 20.03.2011
  12. ↑ Weber Shandwick Medical Technology Group, 2009 End of year review and forward look accessed 02.04.2011
  13. ↑ Docstoc Key Facts about Heart Blankets Pioneering treatment for heart 2008, accessed 14.04.2011
  14. ↑ MTG Key Facts about Heart Blankets 2008, accessed 20.03.2011
  15. ↑ Mohr, Jakki and Robert Speakman Characteristics of Partnership Success: Partnership Attributes, Communication Behavior, and Conflict Resolution Techniques 1994, accessed 04.03.2011
  16. ↑ MTG Members, accessed 11.02.2011
  17. ↑ ABHI About ABHI accessed 16.04.2011
  18. ↑ Markify Detailed trademark information from the CTM database (Countries in the European Union) accessed 06.04.2011
  19. ↑ Jones, Chloe The role of the Advanced Medical Technology Association 28.04 2007, accessed 06.04.2011
  20. ↑ MTB Europe Eucomed, accessed 06.04.2011
  21. ↑ Weber Shandwick. Medical Technology Group, 2009 End of year review and forward look accessed 02.04.2011
  22. ↑ MTG Joining MTG accessed 11.02.1011
  23. ↑ MTG Joining MTG accessed 11.02.1011
  24. ↑ Powerbase Weber Shandwick, accessed 29.03.2011
  25. ↑ PR Week Healthcare Tech Group Enlists WS 23.11.2007, accessed 16.04.2011
  26. ↑ Weber Shandwick Contact, accessed 29.03.2011]
  27. ↑ MTG and INPUT AUDIT OF INSULIN PUMP THERAPY PROVISION AT PRIMARY CARE TRUST (PCT) LEVEL TO BE PUBLISHED SOON accessed 29.03.2011
  28. ↑ MTG Medical Technology – Can We Afford to Miss Out? 21.12.2009, accessed 20.02.2011
  29. ↑ MTG Management Committee, accessed 11.02.2011
  30. ↑ Heart Research UK Lord Mayor of Hull Stops by for Healthy Heart Check 13.04.2011, accessed 15.04.2011
  31. ↑ Heart Research UK About us, accessed 29.03.2011
  32. ↑ Bob King & Associates Foolproof Combination, accessed 04.04.2011
  33. ↑ IMSTA Richard Devereaux-Phillips, accessed 14.03.2011
  34. ↑ Medtronic About Medtronic, accessed 04.04.2011
  35. ↑ IMSTA Welcome to IMSTA, accessed 04.04.2011
  36. ↑ IMSTA Richard Devereaux-Phillips, accessed 14.03.2011
  37. ↑ Linkedin Sandra Lawrence, accessed 06.04.2011
  38. ↑ Stryker UK About us, accessed 06.06.2011
  39. ↑ Stryker UK United Kingdom, accessed 06.06.2011
  40. ↑ Linkedin Sandra Lawrence, accessed 06.04.2011
  41. ↑ INPUT INPUT, accessed 30.03.2011
  42. ↑ INPUT About INPUT, accessed 30.03.2011
  43. ↑ INPUT About INPUT, accessed 30.03.2011
  44. ↑ Insulin Pumpers Wearing a continuous glucose sensor, accessed 06.04.2011
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