Lib-Dem MPs suggest creating unit for certifying medical devices

Liberal-Democratic lawmakers Petru Stirbate and Vladimir Hotineanu proposed instituting a departmental unit within the Medicine Agency that would certify and register the medical devices used in Moldova. A relevant bill was included in the agenda of the March 1 sitting of Parliament, Info-Prim Neo reports. Petru Stirbate said that Moldova does not have a legal framework for implementing the European standards on medical devices and patient protection. The proposed bill will adjust the legislation to the European standards. “We must regulate the medical devices market so that the people benefit from medical services of a high quality,” the lawmaker said in the meeting of the commission on economy, budget and finance, which approved the bill. Democratic MP Adrian Candu abstained from voting, saying the bill will only lead to a rise in the prices of medical services. “I see no logic. All the devices are certified and homologated in the countries from where they are imported. Why should we double certification? How can a Moldovan specialist appraise a device or an instrument made in Germany? We will create a bureaucratic organization and will have salary earners who will work only with the signature and the stamp,” said the lawmaker. His faction colleague Valeriu Guma said he would better pay a higher price, but would be sure that the device is of a high quality. The bill was endorsed by most of the parliamentary commissions and is to be passed by Parliament.