WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed) announced today that it has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the the Association of British HealthTech Industries (ABHI) to facilitate collaboration between the two organizations.

“Under the MOU, AdvaMed and ABHI have agreed to ‘cooperate and coordinate activities on matters of mutual interest,’ to advance patient care, improve public health and support the medical technology industry in the U.S. and U.K.,” said Scott Whitaker, president and CEO of AdvaMed.

“The U.K. is one of the world’s most influential health care markets in the areas of health policy, clinical practice and beyond,” Whitaker said. “This agreement will improve and enhance our mutual effectiveness in influencing policies affecting the industries we represent in the United Kingdom and the United States.”

ABHI members provide health care technology products and services in the U.K., and the association represents the industry to stakeholders including the National Health Service, regulators and other government officials. “ABHI supports the health technology community to provide products and services that help people live healthier lives,” said Peter Ellingworth, chief executive, ABHI. “Our 300 or so members, both indigenous and multi-national, account for 80% of the value of the sector in the U.K. We look forward to working with AdvaMed to advance our mutual goals.”

Areas of collaboration may include, but not be limited to:

• Mitigation of potential negative effects from Brexit;
• Implementation of a U.S.-U.K. Free Trade Agreement;
• Technology standards adoption;
• Convergence of regulations;
• Promotion of patient access to technology; and
• Support for codes of ethical business practices. 

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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. AdvaMed members range from the largest to the smallest medical technology innovators and companies. For more information, visit www.advamed.org.