MITA AWARDED COMMERCE DEPARTMENT FUNDING TO INCREASE MEDICAL IMAGING TECHNOLOGY EXPORTS

Washington, D.C. – The Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance (MITA) today announced it has been awarded a Commerce Department International Trade Administration (ITA) Market Development Cooperator Program (MDCP) award. The purpose of this is to increase exports and expand patient access to diagnostic medical imaging, radiation therapy and radiopharmaceuticals. MITA was one of only five nonprofit industry organizations to receive this award. Through this program, MITA will work cooperatively with ITA and other stakeholders to streamline government approval processes overseas to reduce the time and cost to bring proven diagnostic and therapeutic imaging products to patients in China and India.

The three-year award from the Department of Commerce, named the Global Diagnostic and Therapeutic Imaging Access Improvement Initiative, will promote the harmonization of international standards, reduce unnecessary regulation and expand market access to enhance the global competitiveness of MITA member companies including small and medium sized enterprises’ (SMEs).

Dave Fisher, executive director at MITA said: “This partnership with ITA will enhance MITA members’ ability to bring innovative imaging technologies to market, improve global access to life-saving therapies and diagnostic equipment and create good-paying jobs right here at home. MITA’s deep expertise in standards-setting, our growing international program, knowledge of, and experience in, regulatory arenas make us an ideal partner for this important Commerce Department program.”

“Through the partnership created by these awards we will multiply the number of U.S. firms that receive help selling more of their goods and services abroad,” said Acting U.S. Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank.  “Exports projected to result from the five new projects will create or sustain more than 10,000 U.S. jobs.”

Specifically, ITA will provide funds and expertise as part of a three-part program that includes support from MITA and industry.  This program will enable MITA to better identify problems, work more closely with regulators in China and India to enhance their ability to properly test the safety and quality of new devices as well as assist them in their efforts integrate with accepted international standards and market environments. MDCP activities will also help MITA work with in-country decision-makers to more fully understand the practical implications of their policy proposals, helping them improve the regulatory environment to help bring life-saving medical technology that reduces the likelihood of medical errors and lowers the long-term cost of health care.

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Manufacturing & Services Maureen Smith with MITA Representative Zach Helzer