AdvaMed, U.K. Medtech Association Call for Flexibility on Tariffs, “Regulatory Convergence”

AdvaMed, the Medtech Association, the world’s largest organization representing medtech innovators, and the Association of British HealthTech Industries (ABHI), the leading trade association for medical technology companies in the United Kingdom, are calling for reciprocal “zero for zero” tariffs between the two countries and greater regulatory convergence, noting the prominence of medtech in both the U.S. and U.K. health care systems and economies and the critical need to avoid disruptions in patient care that tariffs could cause in both countries.

In a joint statement, U.S.-based AdvaMed and ABHI describe the unique, highly regulated nature of the medtech industry and its fixed reimbursement environment. Those immutable characteristics restrict the ability of medtech companies to switch manufacturing sites or for hospital customers to adjust to higher prices resulting from tariffs.

“Recent trade tensions and the threat of tariffs are posing a serious threat to our respective health technology industries and to the health systems, health care professionals and patients who depend on us to ensure timely access to treatment,” the joint statement reads.

The joint statement also calls for the U.S. and U.K. to continue developing a regulatory system in which the U.K. accepts regulatory approvals and clearance from the U.S. FDA for medtech, a concept known as “regulatory convergence.” Such acceptance would expand access to innovation for U.K. patients and ensure the United Kingdom continues to be a strong global partner with the U.S. in medical technology research and innovation.

Tariff flexibility and regulatory convergence are the shared goals among the United States and key trading partners to promote continued innovation and patient access to the most transformative medtech.