Stuttgart – How crisis-proof is Baden-Württemberg society – and what measures are necessary to strengthen the resilience of state and society? Under the impression of the corona pandemic, a commission of inquiry was set up by the Baden-Württemberg state parliament in March to deal with these questions. As an expert for medical technology in the state, MedicalMountains Managing Director Julia Steckeler was able to give important impetus at the most recent hearing in Stuttgart.
According to the website of the Baden-Württemberg state parliament, a commission of inquiry can be set up to prepare “decisions on extensive and important issues”. When it comes to a “crisis-proof society”, the subject area is naturally broad. It affects health care as well as state crisis prevention, the protection of vulnerable population groups and strengthening the resilience of the economy. The work of the commission of inquiry, which is scheduled to last two years, aims to develop recommendations for action for the state parliament. A key component is to discuss the issues with experts at public hearings. At the invitation of the FDP/DVP parliamentary group, Julia Steckeler, Managing Director of MedicalMountains GmbH, appeared before the commission last Friday to sharpen the view of companies in the healthcare industry.
“Monocultures” do not serve niches
"We've been working on averting a crisis for years," Julia Steckeler pointed out right at the beginning, pointing out that a supply shortage of medical products in Europe is being anticipated with open eyes. The consequences of the MDR are noticeable across all applications, and no longer only in niche areas. The Baden-Württemberg state government recognized the problem early on. Nevertheless, it is important to keep up the pressure and to take further concrete steps. Among other things, Julia Steckeler recommended building up enough capacities in the authorities and regional councils, also and above all for special approvals of niche products. In view of the consolidation that is already taking place, there is a risk that the variety of innovative medium-sized companies will be lost, replaced by "monocultures" of non-European groups "that no longer serve niches, but only think in large quantities". "Get to know the industry," Julia Steckeler campaigned to gain more understanding, especially for small companies, and to critically examine existing regulations. "How are medium-sized companies supposed to keep track of things in the quagmire of over-regulation and in this jungle of bureaucracy?" In addition, funding should no longer only flow into research; targeted support of product development phases, approval and implementation of regulations is necessary. "Create a business and innovation-friendly environment for medical technology in Baden-Württemberg again," summarized Julia Steckeler, "because only then will resilience work."
“The MDR needs a change of direction”
Daniel Karrais, member of the Enquete Commission and digital policy spokesman for the FDP/DVP parliamentary group, took up the call for the digitization of the public health service to be sustainable and long-term and to improve implementation. "Before you put forward data protection as an obstacle, you should make sure that there is data at all," he reminded. This requires consistent digitization of the healthcare system so that certain health data can be used anonymously for research purposes or to assess pandemics. "The statements by Julia Steckeler also describe the explosiveness of the lack of digitization in the field of medical devices," added Jochen Haußmann, deputy member of the Enquete and health policy spokesman for the FDP/DVP parliamentary group. The speech also highlighted the threat of innovations migrating away. "The MDR needs a change of direction," says Haussmann. He called on the state government to implement flexible recommendations for action in addition to exerting influence in the EU.
Citizens' forum introduces further aspects
The commission of inquiry will meet for the next meeting on January 20, 2023. Parallel to their activities, the citizens' forum "Crisis-proof Society" was launched. It includes 50 randomly selected residents of Baden-Württemberg, who address recommendations and demands to the committee.
The speech is available as a video at this link.
