While AdvaMed has remained relatively quiet over the recent closures of ethylene oxide (EtO) sterilization facilities, the medical device industry advocacy group is taking on critics in Georgia, where two facilities have been paused to upgrade their operations to reduce EtO emissions. Critics – including the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s editorial board – say the chemical is associated with increased risk for cancer for nearby residents, but AdvaMed and its supporters say there’s no evidence to back that up.

Regulators are reaching out to industry and the public-at-large for ideas that would help develop new sterilization methods that could reduce or replace the need for ethylene oxide used to treat difficult-to-clean medical devices. They are also looking for ways to reduce the risk and environmental impact of the sterilizing agent.

The dispute over an “unfair” payback tax looks set to provide both the momentum and ammunition for a full-scale review of how healthcare is funded, seen through the lens of Italian medtech manufacturers and suppliers.