Yorkshire companies promote medical innovation in Portugal

Yorkshire companies attended a Meet the Buyer event in Portugal recently with the aim of promoting UK innovation in the medical and healthcare sector.

Five UK companies, including three from the region, travelled to the event at the British Embassy in Lisbon with UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) Yorkshire International Trade Adviser Irene Escudier-Balina.

The companies offer products ranging from orthopaedics to surgical devices and telemedicine. They had a combined total of 34 meetings in just one day – an average of seven per company.

The event began with a brief overview of the Portuguese healthcare system from a representative of PLMJ, one of the leading legal firms in Portugal, covering themes such as the structure of the healthcare system; the proceedings and requirements to place a medicine or medical device in the Portuguese market; and the process to supply goods and services to hospitals.

During the event the British Ambassador in Portugal, Mr Alexander Ellis, talked with the companies and expressed his satisfaction at their interest in the Portuguese market.

In recent years, the Portuguese healthcare system has been undergoing major reform as the country seeks to align with international standards. Their principal goal of improving front-line quality and delivery of service to the user offers opportunities for UK companies to participate in the Portuguese market.

The visit was organised by UKTI and Charlotte Fraser at Medilink Y&H who is also the UKTI healthcare sector specialist. Medilink Y&H is a membership-based professional association which services medical organisations in the Yorkshire & Humber region. Healthcare companies wishing to enquire about upcoming healthcare events or about Medilink can contact Charlotte at c.fraser@medilink.co.uk.