MedCo has published its latest operational statistics for November 2024, revealing that 92% of medical report provider selections were for represented claims, while 8% were unrepresented via the Official Injury Claim Service. For represented cases, there were 16,102 MRO selections and 1,450 DME selections, with DME choices split between GPs (45%) and physiotherapists (50%). Unrepresented cases saw 538 MRO selections and 903 DME selections, predominantly favouring GPs (96%). The annual review from December 2023 to November 2024 showed a total of 230,739 selections, with 18,316 unrepresented claims via OIC. Notably, unrepresented claimants over the year chose DMEs (66%) more frequently than MROs (34%).

MedCo has published its latest Management Information (MI) pack, providing updated search and selection data for unrepresented claimants using the Official Injury Claims (OIC) service. The pack covers the reporting period from February 2024 to January 2025, offering insights into the most recent trends and statistics. This monthly publication, which aligns with the OIC's release schedule, is now available in the Document library under the 'Management Information' category. The update serves as a valuable resource for legal professionals and stakeholders involved in personal injury claims, offering a comprehensive overview of the current landscape in medical reporting for unrepresented claimants.

MedCo has announced the publication of its latest Management Information (MI) pack, which has been updated to include October 2024 data. This comprehensive resource encompasses search and selection data pertaining to unrepresented claimants utilising the Official Injury Claims (OIC) service. The reporting period spans from November 2023 to October 2024, providing a full year's worth of data. In line with their established practice, MedCo releases these MI packs on a monthly basis to synchronise with the OIC publication schedule.

MedCo has updated its Examination Guidelines, removing provisions for remote examinations that were implemented during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The updated guidelines reinforce that medical examinations must be conducted in neutral, professional environments that are confidential, private, safe and secure. The guidelines explicitly prohibit examinations from taking place at premises belonging to the instructing party.

MedTech Europe and the European Coordination Committee of the Radiological, Electromedical and Healthcare IT Industry (COCIR) have published a joint reflection paper calling for the European Union to become a full member of the Medical Device Single Audit Program (MDSAP).

MedTech Europe and the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) have responded to the European Commission President’s State of the Union Address with differing levels of detail and emphasis. While EFPIA broadly welcomed the Commission’s initiatives, particularly the announcement of a Life Sciences Strategy and efforts to address long-standing barriers to competitiveness, MedTech provided a more substantive and targeted response.

MedTech Europe has published a booklet calling on EU policymakers to modernise rules to permit electronic instructions for use (eIFUs) for near-patient testing devices. Under current EU In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices Regulation 2017/746/EU, paper instructions remain mandatory for near-patient testing devices, while the European Commission recently permitted eIFUs for other medical devices under the Medical Devices Regulation 2017/745/EU through Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1234. The trade association argues that nearly 90% of healthcare professionals prefer electronic over paper instructions, citing benefits including improved accessibility, reduced environmental impact, and up-to-date information availability. The booklet highlights that Europe represents approximately 30% of global point-of-care testing by volume, with Germany alone having over 10,000 point-of-care testing analysers installed in healthcare facilities by end-2023. MedTech Europe proposes that paper copies should remain available free of charge upon request, but argues automatic provision is unnecessary when electronic versions are preferred by healthcare professionals.

MedTech Europe has voiced concerns regarding Regulation (EU) 2021/2282 known as Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Regulation and its implementation. The organisation has called for a comprehensive roadmap to address uncertainties throughout the HTA's implementation phase which will begin to apply from 12 January 2025. MedTech Europe emphasises the need for clarity on Joint Clinical Assessment (JCA) processes, multi-stakeholder participation, and definitions within implementing acts. The specified several points of clarification required in the JCA process such as regarding the identification and planned reporting on emerging health technologies and the capacity to deal with evidence plans, and, particularly how Member States’ differing reimbursement regimes will use JCA reports and how this improves value versus existing national HTA processes. The organisation stresses that such guidance is crucial to ensure the HTA contributes to innovation, competitiveness, and timely access to novel care technologies for European patients and healthcare systems.

MedTech Europe issued an open letter to the EU Competitiveness Council on 11 March 2025, urging ministers to prioritise life sciences in the EU Competitiveness Compass. The letter calls for structural reform of Regulations (EU) 2017/745 and 2017/746 by early 2026, alongside better alignment of regulatory requirements across policy domains. The association recommends strategic healthcare infrastructure investments through the Multiannual Financial Framework and implementation of value-based procurement to enhance sector competitiveness while maintaining safety standards.

MedTech Europe has published a position paper proposing targeted reforms to ensure the coherent implementation of EU digital legislation affecting the medical technology sector. The paper responds to the European Commission’s regulatory simplification agenda and outlines recommendations to align horizontal digital laws with existing sector-specific frameworks, namely Regulation (EU) 2017/745, the Medical Devices Regulation (MDR), Regulation (EU) 2017/746, the In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices Regulation (IVDR), and Regulation (EU) 2025/327, the European Health Data Space (EHDS).

MedTech Europe has published a statement on Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/977, which introduces harmonised procedural requirements for conformity assessment activities carried out by notified bodies under the Medical Devices Regulation (EU) 2017/745 (MDR) and In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices Regulation (EU) 2017/746 (IVDR). The association stated that the regulatory framework for medical technologies is at a pivotal moment, citing slow and unpredictable conformity assessment timelines and administrative complexity under the MDR and IVDR regimes. It welcomed the Regulation’s focus on simplification, greater procedural consistency, transparency and international cooperation, stating that the measures are intended to improve predictability in conformity assessment procedures while broader revisions to the MDR and IVDR continue through the EU legislative process.

MedTech Europe has advised European manufacturers to review two section 301 investigations launched by the US Trade Representative (USTR) that may have implications for medical technology industry. The investigations, initiated under the Trade Act 1974, examine trade practices across a range of economies, including the EU, Switzerland, Norway and the UK. The first focuses on structural excess capacity and productions in manufacturing sectors, highlighting significant sectoral trade surpluses in EU countries such as Germany and Ireland. The second examines alleged failures to address forced labour across 60 economies. Stakeholders are invited to submit comments by 15 April 2026 to inform the USTR’s assessment and any potential trade measures. While neither investigation specifically targets the medical technology sector, MedTech Europe notes that the outcomes could affect European manufacturers exporting to the US and encourages potentially impacted stakeholders to review the notices and consider responding to the consultation.