Italian MEP Amalia Sartori has voiced "dismay" at the lack of investment in the diagnostics industry. She said she was "dismayed" that less than one per cent of European healthcare expenditure is allocated to in-vitro diagnostics (IVD).Speaking at an event organised by the European diagnostic manufacturers association (EDMA), she said, "Everyone would agree that this is disappointing.

"It is absolutely necessary that we all work together to change the ingrained mindset that diagnostics are an expensive and overly costly investment."

The EPP member said that policymakers and medical professionals had "begun to realise that to be able to deal effectively with the great demographic and related health changes in society" there needs to be more efficient and earlier diagnosis.She added, however, that the need for more efficient and earlier diagnosis of many diseases and ailments had become an "essential prerequisite".

Sartori was a keynote speaker at the EDMA annual forum in parliament which looked at ways in which the diagnostics industry might contribute to meeting the objectives of the EU's 2020 growth strategy. She said diagnostics "must be understood as a great investment for the future that will save thousands of lives".

Early diagnosis, she argued, will save "billions of euros" through "better-targeted medical treatment and lessening the burden on healthcare resources". Sartori, a member of the industry, research and energy committee, told the forum, "As I understand it, initial investment now will not only be paid back in full within a few years but also pay even greater dividends."This is the message we must broadcast loud and clear."She added, "The diagnostics industry will certainly make an excellent contribution to achieving the far-reaching ambitions of the EU2020 growth strategy. "We must have the vision, determination and focus to turn this prediction into a concrete reality."