A Labour MEP has been chosen to lead the European Parliament's work on new legislation on medical devices. The update to the EU legislation follows a number of scandals involving medical devices.
 
Glenis Willmott MEP, Labour's leader in Europe and European spokesperson on health, said:
 
"I am delighted to have been appointed as rapporteur for this vital legislation. After the scandals involving PIP breast implants and ‘metal on metal’ hip replacements, the public are rightly concerned about the regulation of medical devices. Patients deserve better and so action at EU level is needed."
 
Mrs Willmott will now be responsible for guiding the new rules through the Parliament as well as negotiating with the Commission and national governments.
 
Glenis Willmott MEP added:
 
"We must ensure the industry is transparent and works in the interest of patients. This legislation will go a long way to achieving that and I look forward to taking it further in the coming months."
 
"I am concerned, however, with the proposals that medical devices should fall under the responsibility of the industry commissioner. Our first priority with these products must be health, and they should be overseen by the health commissioner. I will be doing everything I can to ensure that this is the case."
 
 
For further information, please contact Shamik Das on 0044 7920 441362 or 0032 479 790053.
 
www.eurolabour.org.uk • @EuroLabour