WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed) applauded the Bush administration for its successful efforts to secure commitments from Japan to improve its reimbursement and regulatory practices for medical technologies.

These commitments were outlined in a joint report on deregulation presented to President Bush and Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda on July 5. The goal of these measures is to promote smoother introduction of new technologies, increased patient access to innovative medical devices, and expanded access for U.S. companies to the Japanese market.

"We applaud both governments for their efforts to improve access by Japanese patients to the latest life-saving and life-enhancing technologies," said AdvaMed President and CEO Stephen J. Ubl. "We are pleased that the report recognizes the vital contributions that advanced medical technologies can make to Japan's health care challenges."
Japan has the slowest approval times for medical devices among the major industrialized countries. "At the same time that costs to comply with Japan's onerous and inefficient regulatory requirements have been increasing, Japan has been cutting reimbursement for cutting-edge medical technologies. As a result, Japanese patients do not have access to the same innovative medical technologies as patients in other countries," Ubl said.

Among the commitments, Japan has agreed to provide enhanced reimbursement for several classes of innovative medical devices, including those for pediatric use and less-invasive devices. Japan also has agreed to issue new guidelines designed to speed the regulatory approval process by simplifying requirements for devices that undergo minor changes.

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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