International News In Brief

Device reuse: Several trade groups sign on Sept. 6 to manifesto calling for EU action to regulate all reprocessing of medical devices intended for single use by hospitals, reprocessors and original manufacturers. In addition to original drafters Eucomed and the Patients Association, new adopters include the European Medical Association, International Alliance of Patients' Organisations, Standing Committee of European Doctors of the EU and Standing Committee of Hospitals of the European Union (1"The Gray Sheet" April 29, 2002, p. 14). France, Italy, Germany, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the UK have already introduced specific legislative measures against reuse, but the practice remains widespread on the continent, Eucomed notes. The 2final draft of the manifesto includes scientific evidence against reuse and legal implications of regulation...