The welcome address by Deputy VDGH Chairman Dr. Thorsten Hilbich was followed by a digital greeting from the health policy spokesperson for the FDP parliamentary group in the Bundestag, Prof. Dr. Andrew Ullmann. His words on World Children's Day set the tone for an event that focused on innovation and visions for the future. The challenges of "mothers - children - laboratory diagnostics" therefore formed the first thematic block of the day. Prof. Dr. Bernd Eiben (amedes Labor Essen) and Prof. Dr. Dr. Jürgen Durner (Labor Becker Munich) presented innovations in laboratory diagnostics for pregnancy and birth. In particular, Prof. Dr. Susanne Modrow's (Regensburg University Hospital) plea to expand screening measures during pregnancy to include the cytomegalovirus attracted attention.
The new regulatory system for in-vitro diagnostics was examined with expertise and foresight by several speakers: While Steffen Buchholz from the Federal Ministry of Health provided insights into the political and regulatory background, Dr. Sascha Wettmarshausen from the VDGH and Prof. Dr. Michael Vogeser (LMU Munich) shed light on the perspectives of manufacturers and laboratories. Their keynote speeches were supplemented by contributions to the discussion by Dr. Heike Möhlig-Zuttermeister (TÜV Süd).
PD Dr. Christian Schulz (LMU Munich) and Prof. Dr. Andreas Schwiertz (MVZ Institute for Microecology) delved deep into microbiome diagnostics and highlighted its growing relevance. Prof. Dr. Nico Mutters (University Hospital Bonn) presented new and surprising insights into the emergence of antibiotic resistance.
The panel discussion on point-of-care testing (POCT) concluded the event. This reflected the tension between laboratory representatives and supporters of POCT. Dr. Thorsten Hilbich, Deputy Chairman of the VDGH, emphasized how essential patient-centered care through POCT is, but warned against its glorification as a panacea.
The forum thus combined a mixture of technical depth, lively discussion and visions for the future. A sign that the diagnostics industry is always looking ahead and that dialog on the best ways to get there remains indispensable.
Program and speakers
Opening and moderation
Susan Knoll, Publishing Director Political Communication, Der Tagesspiegel, Berlin
Greeting
Dr. Thorsten Hilbich, Deputy Chairman of the VDGH Executive Board
FOCUS 1: Mothers - children - laboratory diagnostics
Message of greeting for World Children's Day
Prof. Dr. Andrew Ullmann MdB Health Policy Spokesman of the FDP parliamentary group (digital)
Infection diagnostics in pregnancy - are we doing enough?
Prof. Dr. Susanne Modrow, Institute for Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital Regensburg
Non-invasive prenatal tests - the long road to standard care
Prof. Dr. Bernd Eiben, amedes Laboratory Essen
Further development of newborn screening
Prof. Dr. Dr. Jürgen Durner, Member of the Management Board, Labor Becker Munich
FOCUS 2: The future is now - The new regulatory system for in-vitro diagnostics
Impulse: Are manufacturers prepared?
Dr. Sascha Wettmarshausen, VDGH
Impulse: Requirements from the perspective of laboratories
Prof. Dr. Michael Vogeser, Institute for Laboratory Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich
Panel discussion
Moderation: Stefanie Giesener, Member of the Board VDGH
Dr. Sascha Wettmarshausen, VDGH; Prof. Dr. Michael Vogeser, Institute of Laboratory Medicine, LMU Munich; Dr. Heike Möhlig-Zuttermeister, Head of IVD, TÜV Süd; Steffen Buchholz, Division 124 - Medical Device Safety, Federal Ministry of Health
FOCUS 3: Current developments in laboratory diagnostics
Microbiome diagnostics - significance in clinical care
Priv.-Doz. Dr. Christian Schulz, Deputy Clinic Director, Medical Clinic and Polyclinic 2, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich
Microbiome diagnostics from the perspective of a specialized laboratory
Prof. Dr. Andreas Schwiertz, Managing Director, MVZ Institute for Microecology Herborn
Antibiotic resistance - the silent pandemic
Prof. Dr. Nico Mutters, Director of the Institute for Hygiene and Public Health/Public Health, University Hospital Bonn
FOCUS 4: Patient-oriented testing today and tomorrow
Statements and panel discussion
Dr. Thorsten Hilbich, Deputy Chairman of the VDGH; Prof. Dr. Peter Luppa, Senior Consultant, Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Pathochemistry, Klinikum rechts der Isar der TUM, Munich; Dr. Michael Müller, Chairman of the ALM e.V. - Accredited Laboratories in Medicine; Dr. Timo Schumacher, Schwanewede General Practice; Prof. Dr. Mona Tawab, Deputy Scientific Director, Central Laboratory of German Pharmacists e.V.
Any missing presentations will be published here after approval by the speakers.
