Abstract
The involvement of Medical Technology (MedTech) corporations in the
provision of healthcare is in the spotlight following the introduction
of post-Brexit MedTech legislation in the UK. The relationship between
surgeons and device sales representatives is especially relevant in
cardiac surgery: the use of grafts, stents, prostheses, and other
devices is an integral component of most procedures. Many argue that the
involvement of device representatives in cardiac surgical cases is
valuable – they are often experts on their product, able to contribute
their expertise in challenging cases, and help ensure the procedure runs
smoothly. Yet, the potential for MedTech corporations to influence
surgeons’ clinical decision-making introduces a conflict-of-interest and
calls into question what the ‘best practice’ for sales reps should be.
The influence of MedTech corporations over policymaking bodies in the UK
also represents a major issue for transparency and is equally deserving
of evaluation.