WASHINGTON , D.C. - The Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed) and more than a dozen medical device industry associations from around the world are cosponsoring the third annual International Medical Device Industry Compliance Conference in Berlin, May 3-5. The conference will focus on current global compliance issues confronting the medical device and diagnostics industry, including how to better harmonize ethical codes across multiple countries.

"Global harmonization of industry ethical standards on interactions between medical device companies and health care providers will increase public confidence in the appropriateness of these relationships, which are crucial for both patient safety and continued medical innovation," said Stephen J. Ubl, president and CEO of AdvaMed. "AdvaMed is pleased to work with our colleagues from around the world on these important compliance issues which, ultimately, allow our industry to provide patients worldwide with life-saving medical technologies that improve treatment outcomes and reduce overall health care costs."

Cosponsored by 14 global medical technology associations, the 2010 International Medical Device Industry Compliance Conference was designed by industry leaders as an educational forum to stimulate interactive, best practice discussions on timely global compliance issues and trends. Key sessions planned for this year's conference include:
* Industry Association Code Updates - Leaders of trade associations, including AdvaMed, Eucomed, Association of British Healthcare Inustries, Medical Technology Association of Austraila, European Diagnostic Manufacturers Association, MEDEC (Canada's Medical Technology Companies) and COCIR (the association representing the medical technology industry in Europe) share thoughts on their Associations' Code developments, compliance environment and outreach to health care professionals.
* Device and Diagnostic Company CEO Discussion - Andrè-Michel Ballester, Chief Executive Officer, Sorin Group, Ann Bunnenberg, PhD, JD, President, EGI, and Caroll Neubauer, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, B. Braun Medical Inc.,share their thoughts and approaches to compliance.
* Foreign Corrupt Practices Act - Attendees will hear first-hand from federal prosecutors working in both the U.S. and Europe on investigations stemming from the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
* PricewaterhouseCoopers Innovation Scorecard - Representatives from the Life Sciences division of Pricewaterhouse Coopers will present findings from the firm's study of key international market conditions, including compliance issues, that create access to or barriers for medical device innovation.

This meeting brings together medical device industry executives, compliance and legal officers from both small and large medical technology manufacturers from across the world, as well as outside counsel and consultants to this fast growing, dynamic and global industry. To learn more about the 2010 International Medical Device Industry Compliance Conference, or to register to attend, click here.

AdvaMed member companies produce the medical devices, diagnostic products and health information systems that are transforming health care through earlier disease detection, less invasive procedures and more effective treatments. Our members produce nearly 90 percent of the health care technology purchased annually in the United States and more than 50 percent purchased annually around the world. AdvaMed members range from the largest to the smallest medical technology innovators and companies. For more information, visit www.advamed.org.

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