EDITOR'S PAGE
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This special supplement marks the first time that IVD Technology magazine has had the opportunity to devote an entire publication to the IVD market in Europe. The last time that the European IVD market was a major editorial topic was 2003 when IVD Technology published a series of articles on the IVD Directive. The editors felt the time was right to conduct a thorough examination of the IVD market in Europe.
With a 30% market share, Europe is the second-largest IVD market in the world. While the European IVD market is not expected to experience the same explosive, double-digit growth that is projected for such emerging markets as China, India, and Latin America, it will remain an important market and will continue to present new opportunities. For example, in 2004, 10 countries joined the European Union (EU), mostly central and eastern European nations, offering potential new markets for IVD manufacturers.
However, even though the EU is a unified market with the euro as its common currency and the IVD Directive as the common law overseeing the IVD industry, the IVD market in Europe is very diverse with individual countries that have their own unique languages, customs, and cultures. For his article ("Local Conditions and National Concerns,"), John Conroy spoke with the heads of the national associations of some of the largest IVD markets in Europe and discussed with them the unique challenges of their respective markets.
Moreover, the healthcare systems in Europe have undergone various changes, which could affect the IVD industry. For example, several European nations are implementing diagnosis-related groups into their reimbursement systems to cut costs. In her interview ("Forming a More Perfect Union,"), Christine Tarrajat, the director general of the European Diagnostic Manufacturers Association (EDMA; Brussels), discusses the regulatory issues that EDMA is working on to improve IVD market conditions in Europe.
In addition to those articles, this supplement explores other major trends and developments in the European IVD market.
