A Labour MEP today called on the European Council to push forward with work on a proposed new medical devices regulation.
Glenis Willmott MEP, who is leading the European Parliament’s work on the proposed law, used an appearance of the Latvian health minister in the public health committee to call for faster progress.
The updated legislation was first published in 2012 but although MEPs adopted their position more than a year ago, national governments have so far not been able to agree.
As Latvia assumes the presidency of the European Council, they have promised to make this legislation an absolute priority.
Glenis Willmott MEP, Labour’s European Parliament spokesperson on health, said:
“Scandals like the PIP breast implants and metal-on-metal hip replacements have only served to highlight that we urgently need to update the current law on medical devices.
“We must ensure those authorising medical devices, especially high risk devices, have the necessary expertise.
“And I think we need a stronger system of post-market surveillance, so we can identify and respond to any problems with devices immediately.
“We’ve been discussing this legislation for a long time and now we need to move forward and get strong regulation in place."
ENDS
For further information, please contact Shamik Das on 0044 7920 441362 or 0032 479 790053.
www.eurolabour.org.uk • @EuroLabour
