Recognition as a competition rule

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The VDGH Code of Conduct for In-vitro Diagnostics and Medical Devices has been recognized as a competition rule by the German Federal Cartel Office. With the publication of this decision in the Federal Gazette, the industry code, which had previously been adopted by the association's Executive Board and General Assembly, applies to the VDGH's 120 or so member companies.

"With this code, the diagnostics industry is sending a further signal for transparency and against corruption in the healthcare sector," says Ulrich Schmid, Chairman of the VDGH. The new industry code conforms to the rules of conduct of the European industry association MedTech Europe and represents a further development of national compliance rules. Individual provisions such as the VDGH Code of Conduct for Diagnostics for Personal Use, which has been in force since 2004, have been incorporated into the new industry code.

The VDGH code for in-vitro diagnostics and medical devices contains provisions on cooperation between industry, healthcare professionals and healthcare institutions. Based on relevant laws, such as the Therapeutic Products Advertising Act, the VDGH Code sets out strict criteria for the organization of corporate events and describes principles for grants and donations or the provision of samples and demonstration projects. The VDGH Executive Board is supported in its compliance activities by a Code Committee.

In a nutshell: The Association of the Diagnostics Industry (VDGH)

The Association of the Diagnostics Industry (VDGH) is a trade association representing the interests of more than 100 companies operating in Germany with a total turnover of 5.5 billion euros in 2024. They manufacture examination systems and reagents for the diagnosis of human diseases, which generate a turnover of more than 2.4 billion euros, as well as instruments, reagents, test systems and consumables for research in the life sciences, which generate a turnover of 3.1 billion euros.

www.vdgh.de