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# MedTech Europe Calls for Procurement Reform Beyond Lowest‑Price Buying
- URL: https://med-techinsights.com/medtech-europe-calls-for-procurement-reform-beyond-lowest-price-buying/
- Published: 2026-09-16T11:15:53.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-22T08:34:03.000Z
- Description: Chris Whitehouse, a political consultant and expert on medical technology policy and regulation at Whitehouse Communications, and a Trustee of the Bios Centre for bioethics, reports industry reaction to new EU Med-Tech procurement regulations. The publication of the EU’s new procurement regulation h
- Author: Oliver Johnson
- Tags: Policy & Regulation, News

###### [*Chris Whitehouse*](https://med-techinsights.com/tag/chris-whitehouse/)*, a political consultant and expert on medical technology policy and regulation at* [*Whitehouse Communications*](http://www.whitehousecomms.com/?ref=med-techinsights.com)*, and a Trustee of the* [*Bios Centre*](https://bioscentre.org/?ref=med-techinsights.com) *for bioethics, reports industry reaction to new EU Med-Tech procurement regulations.*

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The publication of the EU’s new [procurement regulation](https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip%5F26%5F1817?ref=med-techinsights.com) has prompted a strong early [reaction from MedTech Europe](https://www.medtecheurope.org/resource-library/beyond-lowest-price-medtech-europes-first-reaction-to-the-eu-procurement-regulation/?ref=med-techinsights.com), which argues that the legislation must mark a decisive shift away from lowest‑price purchasing and toward value‑driven procurement models that support innovation, patient outcomes, and system sustainability.

MedTech Europe welcomes the regulation’s ambition to modernise public procurement across Member States, but stresses that the medtech sector faces unique challenges that generic procurement rules cannot fully address. The organisation notes that medical technologies are not commodities: they vary widely in clinical impact, lifecycle cost, and the level of support required for safe and effective use. As a result, procurement frameworks that prioritise price above all else risk undermining quality of care and slowing the uptake of technologies that deliver long‑term value.

A central theme of MedTech Europe’s response is the need for **clear, enforceable mechanisms** that allow procurers to evaluate value holistically — including clinical effectiveness, patient safety, environmental performance, and total cost of ownership. The association argues that without explicit guidance and practical tools, contracting authorities may default to familiar price‑based approaches, limiting the regulation’s intended impact.

The reaction also highlights concerns about administrative burden. MedTech Europe warns that overly complex procedures could disadvantage SMEs, which make up the majority of Europe’s medtech innovators. Streamlined, proportionate processes are essential to ensure that smaller companies can compete fairly and continue contributing to Europe’s health‑technology ecosystem.

Looking ahead, MedTech Europe calls for close collaboration between EU institutions, national authorities, healthcare providers, and industry to translate the regulation into procurement practices that genuinely reward value. The organisation emphasises that Europe’s ability to deliver high‑quality, sustainable healthcare depends on procurement systems that recognise the full benefits of medical technologies rather than focusing narrowly on upfront cost.

As Member States begin implementation, the medtech sector will be watching closely to see whether the regulation catalyses the shift toward value‑based procurement that policymakers have long advocated — or whether entrenched price‑driven habits persist.

*The Author used AI in preparing this article. Comments upon or questions about this article can be addressed to* [*chris.whitehouse@whitehousecomms.com*](mailto:chris.whitehouse@whitehousecomms.com)*.*