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German Hospitals Say COVID Staff Testing ‘Madness’ Must Be Stopped

Rules prescribing daily hospital COVID testing described as ‘senseless’

 
• By Ashley Yeo

New COVID-19 winter protection rules in Germany, setting a daily testing requirement for hospital staff, represent a potentially massive extra burden for under-pressure providers, says the hospitals federation.

Germany
• Source: Shutterstock: vchal

A new draft law in Germany proposes that all hospital staff and external service providers entering hospitals ̶ right down postal workers ̶ must provide a negative COVID test daily in order to be granted access to their place of work. The rule, which also applies to nursing home staff, will be in force between 1 October and until Easter 2023.

This proposed amendment to the infection prevention law (IfSG), adopted by the federal cabinet on 24 August, is designed to provide continuity after Germany’s current COVID-protection measures expire on 23...

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• By Ashley Yeo

Less bureaucracy, no more national supply chain law, framework agreements and competition for direct reimbursement of medtech innovations are among the positive changes the local medtech industry might expect as Germany’s new government gets down to work. Life sciences lawyer Gunnar Sachs offers a view from the ground.

Keeping Germany’s Medtech Industry Apprised, Advised and Incentivized in Turbulent Times

 
• By Ashley Yeo

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Medtech Strategy Must Be Priority, German Diagnostics Firms Tell Government

 
• By Ashley Yeo

Germany’s incoming coalition government has reacted positively to industry’s calls for a dedicated medtech strategy to boost economic growth. Faster digitization, lower energy costs and “IVDR 2.0” are also on the in vitro diagnostic industry’s agenda.

Medtechs Eye German Health Minister Switch As Governing Parties Reach Coalition Agreement

 
• By Ashley Yeo

The architect of Germany’s hospital reform, Karl Lauterbach, will not be retained as health minister according to how the new CDU/CSU-SPD coalition government plans to spread the ministerial portfolios.

More from Europe

Swiss Medtechs Advised To Work On US Tariff Mitigation Strategies

 
• By Ashley Yeo

The US’ 90-day suspension of higher “reciprocal tariffs” will expire on 9 July, raising fears that the 31% tariff rate on Swiss medtech and other goods exported to the US might make a comeback. While the tariff situation changes on an almost daily basis, medtechs should forearm for any eventually, say local business organizations.

Inclusive By Design: UK Invites Sponsors To Submit Trial Diversity Plans

 
• By Vibha Sharma

The UK has issued clearer guidance to help drug and medical device sponsors demonstrate how they intend to include a diverse and relevant range of participants in their clinical trials.

Plans For Specific EU Orphan And Pediatric Device Expert Panel Need To Go Further

 
• By Amanda Maxwell

Moves are at last underway for a more specific focus on orphan and pediatric devices. They are a start; but experts are calling for more to support this sector.