Global Medical Technology Regulators and Industry Experts Meet in Toronto in May to Discuss the Industry`s `Burning` Issues

TORONTO--(Business Wire)--
Global medical technology regulators and industry regulatory personnel will meet
at a Conference in Toronto this May to tackle issues in harmonizing regulatory
practices in the global medical technology industry. This, the 12th Conference
of the Global Harmonization Task Force (GHTF), is being hosted by MEDEC -
Canada`s Medical Technology Companies and Health Canada under the theme,
"Realizing the Value of Technology," from May 12 -14, 2009 at The Westin Harbour
Castle Hotel, Toronto.

The Conference will address global `hot` topics for the medical technology
sector such as adverse event reporting; post-market vigilance and surveillance;
premarket conformity assessment; unique device identifiers and combination
products.

Over 200 delegates are expected to attend and will examine leading practices
within the different medical device regulatory systems and recommend strategies
and actions that industry can take to improve the regulatory environment.

Government and industry regulatory professionals, manufacturers of medical
devices, regulatory consultants and device associations are invited to
participate by registering at
https://secure.e-registernow.com/cgi-bin/mkpayment.cgi?state=667.

Immediately following the main GHTF Seminar, an Asia-Pacific Economic
Cooperation (APEC) Training Seminar on Harmonization is scheduled for May 14-16.
The Seminar aims to impart a better understanding of the GHTF guidance documents
and detailed GHTF recommendations on issues related to regulation, auditing,
quality systems and surveillance.

Canada currently Chairs the GHTF, which was started in 1992 to achieve greater
uniformity between national medical device regulatory systems, and, in turn
enhance patient safety and access to safe, effective and clinically beneficial
medical technologies around the world. The position of Chair is circulated
amongst the GHTF`s five founding members - the European Union, United States,
Canada, Japan and Australia. Read more information at http://www.ghtf.org.

About MEDEC

MEDEC is the national association representing the medical technology industry
in Canada. Our 200 members are committed to providing safe and innovative
medical device technologies that enhance quality patient care and advance
patient outcomes. We are committed to ensuring that Canada has a strong and
vibrant medical technology industry.

MEDEC
Haide Hall, Communications Specialist, (416) 620-1915 x 227
hhall@medec.org

Copyright Business Wire 2009