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Serge Bernasconi

Chief Executive Officer, MedTech Europe

Mr Bernasconi has 40 years’ experience in the world of pharmaceuticals, medical technology and trade association leadership. He has worked in senior leadership position in companies such as Johnson & Johnson, Schering Plough (now Merck), and Medtronic. He has exercised his leadership in various geographical areas around the world, including, the US, Europe (France, Italy, Belgium, Switzerland), Turkey, the Middle East and Africa.

Throughout his career he has been involved in trade association activities and responsibilities both for the pharmaceutical industry and the MedTech Industry. Prior to become the CEO of Eucomed and EDMA and then MedTech Europe, he had been elected President of APIDIM (The French Association for the Promotion of Innovation in Medical Devices), and Vice President and Treasurer of SNITEM (French Medical Technology Industry Association).

34 blogs from the author

Wipeout medtech industry
Digital Value

Posted on 20.03.2014

MedTech will not be wiped out by Apples or Googles – but here’s something to think about

“Nihil novi sub sole” said the Vulgate. That could not be farther from reality when it comes to the MedTech Europe blog. And I am privileged to be the first author to “lay pen to paper” and contribute to MedTech Views, an initiative by MedTech Europe to establish a true platform for dialogue about medical technologies. No priority is given to any one healthcare stakeholder, and everyone has the opportunity to submit their view as we strive to have an open exchange of opinions on the new platform.

By Serge Bernasconi Chief Executive Officer, MedTech Europe

Where are we again on the MDD and IVDD?
Regulation

Posted on 26.02.2014

Where are we again on the MDD and IVDD?

The European Commission released its proposal for the revision of the EU Medical Devices (MDD) and In Vitro Diagnostics Directives (IVDD) in September 2012. The European Parliament weighed in on the file, voting on its final report in a plenary session last October. And in December we heard reps from the 28 EU health ministries voice their views on key issues. The word on the street is that the EU Council is set to reach its final position by June with trialogue discussions (where the Commision, Parliament and Council negotiate a final text) pencilled in for Q4 2014.

By Serge Bernasconi Chief Executive Officer, MedTech Europe

WEF_1
Global Value

Posted on 21.01.2014

A “healthy” agenda for the 2014 World Economic Forum in Davos

Health will be one of the main topics at this year’s World Economic Forum. It is encouraging to see that the world leaders are recognising that health is a prerequisite for well-being and economic growth. And as a large contributor to health, our industry can play an important role in ensuring that people live longer active lives and contribute to this economic growth.
One look at the rough outline of the different sessions and there are at least seven sessions that are of particular interest.

By Serge Bernasconi Chief Executive Officer, MedTech Europe

2014
Business Value

Posted on 19.12.2013

2013: 5 MedTech Europe activities that will impact our industry for the years to come

The year is nearing its end and as I look at the christmas tree being put up, the smell of pinewood slowly filling our office’s reception area, I cannot help but think that 2013 was a crucial year for patients, healthcare systems and Europe as a whole. This past year was dominated by one topic of mastodont proportions, but other actions, activities and achievements have been just as important to us.

By Serge Bernasconi Chief Executive Officer, MedTech Europe

EU regulations
Access Regulation

Posted on 22.11.2013

Regulations, assessments – in the end it’s about patients’ access to therapies

The revision of the IVD and MDD Directives has ensured that the last quarter has been a really colourful, hectic and interesting one. The revision process has now entered a new phase where Council will need to agree on a position, after which it will have to negotiate this position with Parliament. That negotiation should then lead to the final texts for IVDs and devices. In terms of timelines, the Parliament is set on finalising both processes before the European elections of May 2014. Until then, I’m sure the evolutions will provide me with plenty to blog about.

By Serge Bernasconi Chief Executive Officer, MedTech Europe

Fotolia_57652993_Subscription_Monthly_M
Value

Posted on 25.10.2013

Europe needs to invest in IVDs during times of austerity

According to EDMA’s 2012 European In Vitro Diagnostics (IVD) Market Statistics Report, the in vitro diagnostics market in Europe has decreased 2.2% in 2012. These results had been predicted in the previous EDMA report released for 2011, given austerity measures to cut costs in health expenditure. However, a decline in revenue for IVDs might have bad effects in the health of Europeans: there is good reason to believe that governments should invest in IVDs when trying to save money in healthcare.

By Serge Bernasconi Chief Executive Officer, MedTech Europe

Syringe
Regulation

Posted on 16.10.2013

Always read the small print…on the ENVI proposal for the reprocessing of single-use medical devices

Caveat Emptor, or ‘Buyer Beware’, is a commercial rule favouring the seller, now largely extinct due to modern consumer legislation. But the European Parliament’s ENVI Committee, in its amendment on the reprocessing of single-use medical devices, has unwittingly slipped something similar back in again. Given the complex and highly technical nature of the Medical Devices Directives, I can see where busy MEPs would struggle to understand the details and consequences of this amendment, so I think it is essential that we take a moment to read the fine print.

By Serge Bernasconi Chief Executive Officer, MedTech Europe

Parliament
Regulation

Posted on 15.10.2013

Beyond rhetoric: MEPs need facts to make an informed decision on medical devices regulation

Europe’s medical device industry has always agreed that Europe’s regulatory system for devices needs to be improved and has put forward various proposals to achieve this. In the wake of a case of fraud like the PIP breast implant incident, it is clear that we need a safer system that makes sure Europe’s patients continue to have timely access to the latest life-saving and life-enhancing medical technologies.

By Serge Bernasconi Chief Executive Officer, MedTech Europe

12 months
Value

Posted on 20.08.2013

My first twelve months at EDMA and Eucomed

While enjoying my holidays I was reminiscing a bit about my time in Brussels and thought I‘d share my reflections with you. A little over a year ago, on 16 July 2012 to be precise, I joined EDMA and Eucomed. As such, this “fait divers” is not that important, but since then a lot has changed that will impact our industries and associations.

By Serge Bernasconi Chief Executive Officer, MedTech Europe