In a Manhattan office, a small team of engineers, marketers, and product designers is plotting the future of medical devices. With hopes of “disrupting” the market, the group is using a limited budget to streamline the development of a new PET/CT scanner while addressing customer concerns over price, performance, and ease of use.
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Stefan M. Selig, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, said that the Department of Commerce and the International Trade Administration made history last week.
Along with Bloomberg Philanthropies, he hosted the “U.S.-Africa Business Forum”—the first ever summit of its kind.
The Forum brought together U.S. and African CEOs and heads of state to solidify and continue the U.S.-Africa commercial relationship.
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SOURCE:
IAMERS (International Association of Medical Equipment Remarketers and Servicers)
85 Edgemont Place
Teaneck, NJ 07666
CONTACT:
Diana Upton
201-357-5400
For Immediate Release
IAMERS PRESIDENT CALLS FOR RELAXATION OF AFRICAN TRADE BARRIERS TO PERMIT INCREASED U.S. EXPORTS OF PRE-OWNED MEDICAL IMAGING EQUIPMENT
(Washington, D.C.) IAMERS President and Executive Director Diana Upton applauded the recent efforts of President Obama to encourage U.S. companies to trade with Africa. Speaking about President Obama’s “Doing Business in Africa Campaign” and his recent meeting with fifty African leaders, Ms. Upton commented: “IAMERS stands ready to provide much needed medical equipment to Africa. There is a pressing demand for the pre-owned MRIs, CTs and other imaging equipment which IAMERS members sell and service. All of the major U.S. Hospitals have recognized that pre-owned medical equipment has been a win-win for patient care. We know that IAMERS members can also help African hospitals. IAMERS members can provide the crucial spare parts and assemble the technicians to help support this effort. One of our IAMERS members is working successfully in Cameroon and we hope to spread the word”.
Ms. Upton further commented that “Unfortunately, despite the pressing need in Africa and the U.S. companies who stand ready to export excellent medical equipment, several African countries, including some who attended the President’s meeting last week, maintain procurement policies which restrict or discourage the purchase of pre-owned medical equipment.” The U.S. International Trade Administration in its extensive review of the global import market for pre-owned medical devices, lists Ghana, Guinea, Senegal, Tanzania, and other African countries as imposing licensing and ‘safety reviews’ which restrict rights for importation in some manner.[1]
Ms. Upton expressed her hope that the U.S. Government would tie the announced initiatives in new U.S. financing to a reduction in the trade barriers of African countries for the sale of pre-owned U.S. medical equipment. “We hope that the billions committed by the U.S. come with an understanding that the countries receiving these initiatives will not tie the hands of IAMERS members who wish to provide desperately needed medical equipment. There must be a comprehensive effort so that the pre-owned equipment makes a difference in patient care and is supported. For that, we need the cooperation of African government partners. Opening markets for pre-owned equipment, will help patient care and encourage servicing support.”
[1] For further information, see “Global Import Regulations for Pre-Owned Medical Devices”, U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration. http://www.ita.doc.gov/media/publications/pdf/medical2008.pdf.
IAMERS was formed in 1993. Our membership is worldwide and represents the best companies ranging from the largest OEMs to smaller highly specialized ones that sell, service and finance pre-owned medical imaging devices.
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SOURCE:
IAMERS (International Association of Medical Equipment Remarketers and Servicers) 85 Edgemont Place
Teaneck, NJ 07666
CONTACT:
Diana Upton
+1.201.357.5400
For Immediate Release
(Berlin, Germany) International Association of Medical Equipment Remarketers and Servicers (IAMERS) will open its’ 10th Annual Meeting in Berlin on September 10th with not-to-be missed presentations from industry movers and shakers. “This year we have brought together industry leaders to engage in frank and dynamic discussions about where the industry is heading,” said Diana Upton, IAMERS President. Ms. Upton continued, “Regulations restricting some market initiatives and the impact of the Affordable Healthcare Act in the United States are having a rippling effect upon our industry. We are pleased to have the who’s who of the industry joining our discussions. That is why IAMERS continues to be the leading voice on pre-owned and remanufactured imaging equipment.” Networking remains a major draw of the IAMERS meetings. .Mads Vittrup, Agito Imaging Sales Manager adds, “We are coming to Berlin because we also see all of our friends and business associates in one place. We always walk away with business opportunities from these IAMERS meetings.”
One of this years’ crucial challenges and the conference theme is the opening of new markets in an era where some countries are reportedly imposing more requirements to do business. IAMERS is fortunate to be hearing from long time IAMERS contributor and newly named president of GE Global Services, Joseph Shrawder, current CEO of GE Healthcare of Latin America. IAMERS founder, and Oxford Instruments CEO, David Band commented: “I regard Joe Shrawder as one of the smartest guys in the industry. It’s worth the trip just to get his take on where things are going.”
A special program on FDA inspections by former FDA Associate Director Cap Uldriks will lead the first day activities. The European Union directorate on medical devices has signaled that it will have a representative present a special program on the latest directives pertaining to hazardous waste and electronic equipment.
“We expect to be discussing key issues and trends during this two day conference” said Rick Stockton President of Kosmic Medical. “We must ask ourselves why is it that half of the world limits the sale of used equipment and how we can formulate an effective strategy to change that calculus for everyone’s benefit?”
IAMERS was formed in 1993. Our membership is worldwide and represents the best companies ranging from the largest OEMs to smaller highly specialized ones that sell, service and finance pre-owned medical imaging devices.
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