Peter Liese: Crucial for Patients, but also for Competitiveness and Jobs / Social Democrats, Liberals and Greens block a clear timetable

The European Parliament is urging swift amendments to the controversial Medical Devices Regulation. In the plenary session in Strasbourg, the Parliament passed a text by a large majority, calling on the Commission to make targeted changes in the first quarter of 2025 to address the most pressing challenges. A proposal that outlined a clear timetable for a comprehensive revision of all problematic articles was blocked by the Social Democrats, Liberals and Greens, as some oppose any revision in principle, while others found the timeline too "ambitious."

"The Medical Devices Regulation was not only well-intentioned but also necessary. We had many scandals, such as with breast implants, and it is important that we now have unannounced inspections and controls and better oversight of Notified Bodies. However, the EU institutions have overshot the mark, and I am very pleased that Parliament has taken a clear stance here," explained Dr Peter Liese, health policy spokesperson for the largest group in the European Parliament (EPP Christian democrats).

"The regulation, in its current form, is far too bureaucratic. This is costing jobs and competitiveness—but most importantly, patients are suffering. Medical colleagues of mine, for example in paediatric cardiology, are already reporting that they can no longer obtain crucial devices, and shortages could become even worse in the future if we do not act quickly. It is good that the European Parliament voted by a large majority for targeted changes to be made as early as the first quarter of next year. Unfortunately, however, the Social Democrats, Liberals and Greens rejected the proposal to establish a clear timetable for the comprehensive revision that would tackle all the problems. We as the EPP wanted this to be completed by the third quarter of 2025. I urge the European Commission to massively accelerate the work on targeted changes and a comprehensive revision. There is no time to lose and this must be an absolute priority," stressed the physician and MEP.