Market Barriers in Germany for Medical Devices

by Maria Klaas | Dec 16, 2020 | News

Market Barriers to the introduction of medical devices in Germany. What could these be and how can they be overcome?

Market barriers to market entry to Germany for Medical Device Manufacturers — photo: iStock
Market barriers to market entry in Germany for Medical Device Manufacturers

December 2020, Maria Klaas – According to a recent study from 2020 by Clairfield International, the German medical technology market is by far the largest in Europe with € 33 billion. It is therefore no wonder that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from Germany or abroad want to participate in this market.

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Latest Insights

(Aug 24) Roland Berger Hospital Study 2024 in Germany. Larger hospitals expect a positive development in the coming years. Smaller hospitals are rather pessimistic about the future. According to the study, mergers could be a solution. (in German)
(Aug 24) BfArM publishes three important special information sheets on the subject of "Medical devices/MDR" (in German): Reporting channels according to MDR, IVDR, MPDG , Application for special authorisation, Special authorisation of medical devices
(July 24) New MDCG guideline on the clinical evaluation of orphan devices
(July 24) According to the current Hospital Rating Report 2024, 10% of hospitals are in the "red zone" with an increased risk of insolvency.
(June 24) According to the spring survey of the Hospital Index of the German Hospital Institute (DKI) (in German) 61% of German general hospitals rate their current economic situation as poor (40%) or very poor (21%). The reason for this is the forthcoming Hospital Care Improvement Act (KHVVG)
(Jan 24) TÜV Süd BABT Unlimited is an approved UK Aproved Body (UKAB) for Part III of the UK Medical Devices Regulations 2002 for Active Implantable Medical Devices (AIMD). Manufacturers can now obtain both UKCA and CE certification from TÜV Süd at the lysame time.
(Jan 24) Expansion of the AOP catalogue by the GKV-Spitzenverband
(Jan 24) Eudamed: the mandatory use of the UDI/Medical Devices Registration and Certificates/Notified Bodies modules has been postponed from Q1 2026 to Q2 2029
(Jan 24) 43 Notified Bodies in 18 countries are now accredited. Currently there are 10 each in Italy and Germany, 3 in the Netherlands; in addition, two each in Finland, Poland and Czech Republic and one each in Belgium, Denmark, Hungary, Lithuania, Norway, France, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden,Turkey, Ireland, Croatia and Cyprus. Nando database
(Jan 24) New guidelines and documents from the Medical Device Coordination Group (MDCG) from December 2023: 1) MDCG 2023-5 Guidance on qualification and classification of Annex XVI Products A guide for manufacturers and notified bodies and MDCG 2023-6 Guidance on demonstration of equivalence for Annex XVI products A guide for manufacturers and notified bodies, 2) MDCG 2021-6 Rev. 1 Regulation (EU) 2017/745 – Questions & Answers regarding clinical investigation, 3) MDCG 2021-27 – Rev.1, 4) MDCG 2023-7
(Aug 23) Swissdamed (Swiss Database on Medical): ACT module, available from the beginning of 2024 for the registration of companies; registration of products via UDI module, available from summer 2024.
(Aug 23) TÜV Süd, Germany also UK Approved Body (UKAB) for medical devices. Current list of UKAB according to the UK Government's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.
(May 23) The Medical Device Regulation Group (MDCG) published guidance on 12 May 2023 on the significant changes to the transitional provision under Article 120 of the MDR
(May 23) Great Britain decides to extend the deadline for CE marking of medical devices according to MDR. From July 2025, the new legal framework is to apply
(March 23) Transition periods for the approval of medical devices in Europe now legally extended.
- May 2026: Custom-made medical devices (Class III).
- December 2027: Higher-risk medical devices (non-exempt Class IIb implants and Class III medical devices)
- December 2028: Low-risk medical devices (Class IIa, Ir, Im, Is).
(March 23) Current information from BfArM on the German Medical Devices Information Database System (DMDIS), "Clinical Investigations/Performance Evaluations" module for all user groups (as of Jan. 30, 2023)
(Jan 23) Manufacturers of digital care applications (DiPA) can now apply directly to the BfArM for inclusion of their application in the DiPA directory via a digital application portal
(Jan 23) Since 1.1.2023, condoms have been available free of charge in pharmacies in France for people between 18 and 25 years of age. Since 1 year also contraceptives, e.g. IUDs and the birth control pill.
(Dec 22) According to. MHRA (Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency), the United Kingdom will continue to recognise the CE mark for medical devices until 30 June 2024. Previously, 30.6.2023 was planned.
(Nov 22) According to the Roland Berger study "Global MedTech-How to succeed in uncertain times", the medical technology industry is struggling with high energy costs, rising inflation and supply chain problems. Solutions are offered by digitalisation, more benefit-based billing models and the shift towards personalised medicine.
(Nov 22) Facts&Figures 2022 from MedTech Europe, the European trade association for the medical technology industry
(Nov 22) New MDCG document on requirements for Notified Bodies - in the context of the MDR as well as IVDR
(Nov 22) Swissmedic refers to a leaflet on the obligations for authorised representatives, importers and distributors
(June 22) studies published by the German Society for Biomedical Engineering in the VDE (VDE DGBMT)
1. "Use of sensors in combination with implants and application systems".
2. "Approval of medical implants according to the European Medical Device Regulation (MDR)".
(June 22) the EU Commission published a document in June 22 for the IVDR: "Harmonised administrative practices and alternative technical solutions until EUDAMED is fully operational".
(June 22) The Interest Group for Medical Devices in Germany (IG-NB) has published 2 guides on the topics of
1. artificial intelligence (AI)
2. cybersecurity
Medical device manufacturers can apply to the Joint Federal Committee (G-BA) for the NUB and receive advice on the procedure. Rules of Procedure of the G-BA.
(April 22) Distinction between medical devices and medicinal products: Guidance document MDCG 2022 of the Medical Devices Coordination Group
GTAI has created a special page on sanctions and the consequences of the war in Ukraine.
Internet platform for medical needs in Ukraine by the German initiative Medical Bridge.eu
European industry association for digital assistive technology DATEurope founded in early 2021. DAT includes aids for communication, for the blind and visually impaired, for environmental control, assistive call systems, software tools and robotics.
New web portal for the list of medical aids according to §139 SGB V of the GKV-Spitzenverband: for reference and online application
Overview of all assessments of new examination and treatment methods (NUB) by the G-BA
the MHRA in the UK has published a guidance document for manufacturers and distributors of medical devices
BfArM included the first “apps on prescription” in the new directory for digital health applications (DiGA) in early October 2020
EU-implementation regulation for the reprocessing of disposable products, valid from 26 May 2021
FDA increases medical device registration fees from October 2020
The European Commission published the new “Clinical evaluation assessment report template” of the Medical Devices Coordination Group (MDCG) on 17 July 2020
In-vitro-diagsnostics must be re-evaluated according to the new IVDR by 26 May 2022.
The new In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices Regulation (EU) 2017/746 has entered into force. It must be implemented for products... with higher risk by May 2025, ...with lower risk class C by May 2026, ...with lower risk classes B and A by May 2027