The MEDEC vision is: “Advancing health outcomes for Canadians by accelerating access to medical technologies.”

It’s a laudable purpose, but what makes it important today?

Health care budgets are being squeezed relentlessly between the costs of operating the system and a rapidly aging population. New and emerging medical solutions offer better, more effective treatment for patients but require an investment in technologies and, in many  jurisdictions, there is growing scrutiny over expenditures to ensure that budget targets are met while trying to maintain adequate patient care.

Against this backdrop MEDEC serves as a strong voice for industry, an advocate for patient access to medical device technologies and a trusted resource for key stakeholders.

Strong voice – MEDEC represents 150 member companies across the country. Our members are small, medium and large cross the many sectors of medical devices and technologies. The industry has more than 35,000 employees – many in R&D – and more than $7 billion in annual sales. Through MEDEC, our members can speak more effectively and more efficiently and be sure they are heard by decision-makers.

Advocate – Medical device technologies help skilled caregivers routinely perform what would have been considered “impossible” or “a miracle,” just a few years ago. There’s no substitute for seasoned medical expertise, but leveraging that knowledge with modern technology enables clinicians to do more, faster, better and safer. We need to put more technology into more hands.

Trusted resource – One of MEDEC’s vital roles is as an honest broker, whether of information, expertise or opinion. It’s an aspect of professionalism that comes with dealing with people’s health. MEDEC is also updating its Code of Conduct for members and to guide other industry participants, to ensure that it reflects the highest ethical standards. Those who deal with MEDEC members and see our Code of Conduct symbol can thus be assured of quality, professionalism and best practices in all dealings.

There are and always will be challenges… to do better, to do faster, to do more safely and, always, and to do more with less. MEDEC helps its members meet these challenges. Now more than ever.

Stephen Dibert
President & CEO