Germany

Improving reimbursement and integrating digital process across health care should be two priorities for the incoming German coalition, says Martin Walger, chief executive of the IVD industry association, the VDGH, in part two of his interview with In Vivo.

Lawmaking in Germany came to a halt after the federal election was called, meaning cardiovascular detection and pharmacy legislation were put on hold. In part one of a two-part interview on key themes for industry, Martin Walger, chief executive of the IVDs industry association, the VDGH, lays out the hopes and fears of IVD companies in the run up to the late February vote.

India’s Torrent managed to register growth in its financial third quarter – despite being hit by severe currency headwinds in Brazil and suffering a decline in the US – as growth in Germany and its domestic market more than offset the damage.

The electronic patient record, a key piece of Germany’s new “DigiG” digital health law, was rolled out on 15 January, presaging more efficient delivery of targeted patient care and new opportunities for medical research informed by data.

When federal chancellor Olaf Scholz lost his parliamentary vote of confidence in mid-December, it officially opened up the way for the elections the German leader had already penciled in for 23 February. The medtech industry has not been slow to set out its demands of the incoming government.

The implosion of the German coalition government left unfinished business for the medtech industry. The coalition to emerge from the 23 February general election must consult more with industry, Spectaris’ head of medtech Marcus Kuhlmann said at Medica 2024.

Amid rumors that Stada is sounding out investors for an IPO valued at around €1.5bn – following suggestions earlier this year that the company was being shopped around to potential buyers – the German generics giant has acknowledged to Generics Bulletin that options under review could include a sale or IPO.

Germany’s governing coalition may have folded, but embattled health minister Lauterbach has championed his hospital reform bill to the last. Now voted through in the upper house of parliament, the bill to reform diagnosis related groups and hospital care delivery will come into force on 1 January.

German medtech revenue growth has slowed, profit margins are being eroded, and exporters fear harsher US market access conditions on the return to office of President-Elect Donald Trump. The week became even more momentous with news of the collapse of the German government.

Findings of Germany’s latest annual survey of medtech opinion and business confidence are a wake-up call for European industry and heap further criticism on the EU MDR.