Medical Equipment

To achieve this, it is urgent to reform the medical system in order to solve the stable construction of the medical supply system. Furthermore, in order to promote technological innovation centered on digital health, it is important to simultaneously promote the paradigm shift from “medical care to treat diseases” to “healthcare to prevent diseases” and the utilization of medical information and the efficiency improvement of medical services through it. In digital healthcare, it is important to detect early abnormalities by monitoring health conditions, make accurate and definitive diagnoses, securely share diagnosis results, and realise timely and efficient medical services. We believe that introducing and instilling these services in society as a system will reduce the burden on patients. At the same time it will also reduce medical expenses, increase the healthy population and labour force, and eventually lead to social and economic growth.

In order to continue to provide high-quality healthcare services in today’s environments, it is essential to properly introduce European innovative Medical equipment and healthcare materials and institutional designs. To do this, Japan should align its regulations and processes with international standards, allow use of European approvals and data, and improve the predictability of the reimbursement system. Moreover, information on the Japanese medical care system should be provided internationally in multiple languages to encourage more overseas businesses to participate in the Japanese market.

My Number cards, which are linked to bank information and licenses, have been introduced with medical checkup information and drug information inspection functions, but collaboration with PHR in the healthcare field has not progressed slowly. On the other hand, it is expected that online medical treatment for coronavirus will become permanent, and that the cloud and consolidation of medical institutions will advance by reviewing appropriate remuneration, etc. It is hoped that the following measures will be continued: Efficient medical services will be provided by digitalisation of medical data; Cyber security implemented in Europe toward introduction of medical equipment using IoT (Internet of Things) and AI (Artificial Intelligence); appropriate responses to GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) etc.; Trial introduction and operation in Japan such as DiGA (Digital Health Applications) etc, and FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) measures that European companies can participate in.

The EBC Medical Equipment & Diagnostics Committee intends to continue working in cooperation with the Japanese Government, especially the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) and the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) and other associated industrial organisations, and will present recommendations in order to help reform the Japanese medical system and industrial structure. The aim will be the deployment in Japan of not only excellent medical equipment but also advanced healthcare models and effective medical systems, where we believe Europe has much to offer.