Economic Balance and Environmental Sustainability in the Acquisition of Health Technology
Jose Antonio Ruiz Sainz-Aja, Cesar Pascual, Jorge Huertas and María Dolores Acón are prominent names in the discussion on optimizing health technology acquisition.
The integration of criteria to guarantee the economic balance of contracts, such as indexation, and the promotion of environmental sustainability, known as ‘green purchasing’, emerge as key factors to improve public purchasing processes in the field of health.
At an event held in Santander by the Spanish Federation of Health Technology Companies (Fenin), the first update of the ‘Guide to Efficient Public Procurement of Health Technology’ was presented. On this day, more than one hundred health service managers, procurement experts and industry representatives explored the new guidelines and reflected on the challenges in bidding for innovative technologies in Spain.
Perspectives and Opinions
César Pascual, Health Minister of Cantabria, highlighted the importance of events like this to improve contracting processes, underlining the need to not base decisions solely on price, but on efficiency and agility.
The first version of the guide was presented more than a year ago, with the collaboration of procurement experts from different autonomous communities, as a tool aimed at offering practical solutions for everyday challenges in the acquisition of medical equipment and health products.
Jorge Huertas, president of Fenin, highlighted the value of the guide as a significant contribution to improving contracting processes, promoting the efficiency of the health system.
Update and Continuity
The guide, conceived as a dynamic tool, has been updated for the first time, reflecting legislative changes and lessons learned over the last year.
The objective is to provide contracting managers with an updated and current tool, adapted to the changing needs of the legal and commercial environment.
The importance of the recent Law 11/2023, which allows price indexation in certain public contracts, is highlighted as a significant advance to guarantee economic-financial balance.
In addition, the growing importance of environmental sustainability in the acquisition of health technology is addressed, highlighting the trend towards ‘green purchasing’ and the inclusion of environmental criteria in public contracts.
Next steps
After its presentation in Cantabria, Fenin plans to continue with a series of regional presentations to disseminate the news of the guide and encourage debate on the acquisition of innovative health technologies.
The objective is to improve the access of professionals and patients to technologies that improve the health and quality of life of the population.
The information provided in this article is based on statements from official institutions and health professionals. If you have any health-related concerns, it is recommended to consult a specialist.
