Discussions on market surveillance related to medical devices in Europe take place in Riga

Discussions on market surveillance related to medical devices in Europe take place in Riga

The meeting of the European Competent Authorities for Medical Devices (CAMD) is taking place on 24-25 February 2015 in Riga. The purpose of this meeting is the collaboration of Member States in the implementation of legal regulation in the field of medical devices in the interests of the public health, thus, promoting a unified understanding and identification of problems in this area.

Foto: EU2015.LV

In Riga, it is the 36th meeting of the competent authorities since the establishment of this forum. Since then, the field of medical devices has changed significantly and it has been reflected in the normative acts of the European Union (EU). More than 70 delegates are participating in the meeting in Riga and during the seven sessions taking place over one and a half days they will discuss issues on legal regulation, national approaches in different countries, issues on market surveillance related to medical devices and other topics.

"During the meeting in Riga significant attention will be paid to issues on market surveillance related to medical devices. The discussions will focus on measures that need to be taken in order to ensure a coordinated and effective action by the parties involved in market surveillance, as well as measures that need to be implemented to further develop market surveillance activities at EU level. The meeting agenda also includes discussions on other current issues in the field of medical devices, such as review of the new medical devices regulations, exchange of experience between Member States on medical devices information systems (databases) and others," said Dace Ķikute, the Deputy Director of the Latvian State Agency of Medicines.

The spectrum of medical devices is very broad - starting from very complex diagnostic devices, such as magnetic resonance imaging devices, to small, elaborate implantable devices, such as vascular stents. Separate groups of devices are the active implantable medical devices and devices manufactured using animal tissue. Patient safety and public health are the priorities throughout EU, therefore, national competent authorities and the European Commission are seeking ways on how to improve the regulation of medical devices so that patients would be protected.

The meeting of Competent Authorities for Medical Devices (CAMD) brings together representatives from the EU Member States, the European Economic Area, competent authorities for medical devices from the European Free Trade Association countries, national representatives and representatives from the European Commission.