Press Release
01/01/02
ABHI RESPONDS TO MHRA AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT
The announcement last Thursday of the name of the new Regulatory
Agency 'The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency'
(MHRA) by the Health Minister Lord Hunt received with some
apprehension from the Association of British Healthcare Industries
(ABHI).
Director-General Gordon C. Aylward said: "The title is critical
since it defines the role of the agency. It is essential if we are
to start off on the right foot - that the name accurately reflects
the principal reasons for the merger.
The replacement of the Medical Devices Agency (MDA) with an agency
that makes no reference to the legal definition devices in its
title has caused concern and this concern has been emphasised
during consultation.
"There is a risk that by dropping the term 'Medical Devices' from
the name, the autonomy and identity of the devices industry will be
undermined" continued Mr Aylward.
ABHI continue to consult with the Department of Health regarding
the implementation of the new executive agency to ensure the least
amount of disruption to the industry.
Notes for editors: * The Association of British Healthcare Industries (ABHI) is the lead trade association for the medical systems industry. This sector comprises not only manufacturers of medical devices, equipment and consumables, but also service companies, distributors, professional groups (such as regulatory consultants and lawyers), and other suppliers to the medical community.
* The ABHI represents approx. 200 member companies with a total domestic turnover of about £3 billion representing approx. 80% of the industry output.
* The membership currently includes several Special Interest Sections and four sectoral trade associations, which in turn have a further 400 member companies.
* Member list: www.abhi.org.uk
* The role of the Association is to:
- Advance and promote medical systems (devices, equipment, technologies and services) within the UK and globally.
- Provide a forum for policy discussion with the industry's customers, legislators, public bodies and interested groups.
For further information contact:
Daniel Jones: 020 7960 4360
Email: daniel.jones@abhi.org.uk
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