DOTmed has learned news this week that may have an impact on our industry. While we don't have all the details yet, here are the facts as we know them: IAMERS has shared with DOTmed its letter to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce expressing concern over a "Concept Paper" prepared for submission to the WTO last week in Geneva (http://www.wto.org/). The concept paper proposes that the sale of used medical equipment among WTO members be OEM certified, a measure that IAMERS opposes.

This is part of a larger Global Harmonization Task Force initiative begun in 1992 regarding medical devices (http://www.ghtf.org/). DOTmed is trying to get a copy of the exact wording in this concept paper.

Such an international trade measure could have a significant impact on the industry and on independent firms that inspect, certify and market used medical equipment worldwide.
DOTmed sees many possible issues and outcomes regarding this reported proposal. For example, OEMs might require refurbishers to be aligned exclusively with one manufacturer's product lines. However, such sweeping regulation may require full disclosure of proprietary equipment maintenance information, a step that OEMs have resisted in the past.

"Other countries have the right to protect their citizens for the safety of devices. We don't dispute that at all and it makes sense," said Thomas J. Quinn, industry guru and president, Medical Resources Alliance, Pittsburgh, Pa. "But in order to do this, it can't be monopolistic, it can't be exclusive, and it can't be predatory. The design of the law should reflect that the manufacturers first have to comply with the certification process."

As things now stand, the deregulated marketplace has been good for the used medical equipment consumer -- budget-conscious hospitals and clinics worldwide -- by driving down the cost of equipment and maximizing access. Watch DOTmed News for further updates on this story and other important issues.

New: DOTmed's Used Medical Equipment Insider Report on Trade Restrictions & Regulations
In order to keep DOTmed users informed about the WTO situation and other medical equipment regulatory matters in the U.S. and worldwide, DOTmed has created a special News Bulletin that will be delivered by email. We strongly urge everyone with an interest in these matters to subscribe to it.

It's a place where you can get the latest breaking news and also share your views with others in the used medical equipment industry. If you want to participate, click here.

Look for a follow-up on this story next week.

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