International News In Brief

BD's Edward Ludwig: Becton Dickinson CEO/AdvaMed International Board Committee chair appointed as one of eight U.S. industry reps on U.S.-Japan Private Sector-Government Commission. Launched in 2001 by Prime Minister Koizumi and President Bush, the commission generates economic reform recommendations to enable further cooperation between industry and the two governments. At an April 14 commission meeting, Ludwig discussed the importance of leveraging the role of medical devices as an economic growth engine in Japan, using healthcare technologies to drive productivity, and meeting the demands of the country's aging population. A final report is due in November...