Note: this blog post was originally published on LinkedIn Pulse on February 28, 2017.

Medical technology companies have long been recognized for their life-saving contributions to diagnosing and treating patients – from medical imaging to genetic testing to implantable devices. In fact, medical technology advances are credited with helping to add five years to the average U.S. life expectancy since 1980 and slashing the number of days spent in hospitals by 59 percent between 1980 and 2010. The newest medtech innovations are truly astounding, from the use of 3D printing of tissue to diagnostics linked to smartphones, to innovations in medical robotics and nanotechnology. 

Note: this blog post was originally published on LinkedIn Pulse on February 14, 2017.

A commitment to the core values of patient care and innovation serves as medtech’s heartbeat.  The people who work in the medtech industry are committed to delivering high-quality care and good patient outcomes every day. They understand that what they do has a direct and positive impact on patients’ lives. They understand that their work contributes to the development of breakthrough technology. And they understand that the products they make could one day be used to save or improve the life of a loved one.  

Note: this blog post was originally published on LinkedIn Pulse on January 11, 2017. 

In reflecting on 2016 legal developments, a key health law case that stands out is the Supreme Court’s decision endorsing the implied certification theory of the False Claims Act (Universal Health Services v. Escobar). Contrary to many press outlets, Universal Health Services will not serve – in 2017 and onward – to pave the way for more whistleblower suits. In fact, the Court’s decision raises the bar for whistleblowers, and its practical impact will be to restrict the use of the False Claims Act.

Between happy hours, events, meetings, LinkedIn messages, Twitter DMs and so much more, the number of opportunities for professional networking can be overwhelming and downright unruly.

Note: this blog post was originally published on LinkedIn Pulse on February 1, 2017. 

When I talk with medical device companies with global business interests in my work as Vice President for International Compliance at AdvaMed (the Advanced Medical Technology Association) about their concerns, ensuring a high standard of ethics while working with distributors is always in the top three.  Most companies, large and small, use distributors to access overseas markets, for a number of reasons: economies of scale, familiarity with local laws and customs, and simple language advantages. 

Note: this blog post was originally published on LinkedIn Pulse on April 18, 2017. 

I recently sat down with Peter Blenkinsop, a Partner at DrinkerBiddle, an expert on data privacy and one of the panelists at our upcoming GMTCC Conference (Amsterdam, May 3-4), to get his take on the biggest privacy law challenges currently facing Medtech companies.

Peter pointed to two trends that are changing the Medtech sector and provided insight on how privacy and data protection laws may impact those trends: