Konica Minolta Medical joins SAMED, MISA

12 Oct 2011

Konica Minolta Medical South Africa (KMMSA), a subsidiary of the Bidvest Group of companies, has become a member of both the South African Medical Device Industry Association (SAMED) and the Medical Imaging Systems Association of South Africa (MISA), thereby pledging to stand by the ethical practices and principles outlined by these associations.

According to SAMED's Tanya Vogt, SAMED represents the interests of local and multinational medical device companies in South Africa, as well as promoting, representing and safeguarding the interests of the South African Medical Device and In-Vitro Diagnostics (IVD) industry.

"This includes providing proactive representation to relevant and appropriate stakeholders as well as encouraging ethical principles and practices within the sector," she explains. "It also promotes innovation to achieve improved patient outcomes and ensure effective representation with all relevant authorities whether public or private."

SAMED's members include more than 140 companies in the medical device and IVD industries and three association members. Amongst its members are large multinational operations but also many smaller businesses.

"The objectives of MISA, which is also a SAMED member, include promoting the interests of the medical imaging industry and associated services as well as co-operation and dialogue between MISA (as a representative of the medical imaging industry and its users) and regulatory authorities. In addition, MISA acts as a spokesperson and representative of the medical imaging industry on all matters," Vogt adds. "It also supports participation in and/or sponsorship of congresses, seminars and workshops and negotiates with the representative societies and associations regarding items of common interest to the members."