Forewords

from The Biomedical Scientist Suppliers Guide 2020

Disposables and general laboratory equipment

FOREWORDS A HANDY RESOURCE AT YOUR FINGERTIPS

Sarah May, Deputy Chief Executive of the IBMS, explains why diagnostic industry partners play such an important role and how vital it is to look beyond the walls of the laboratory.

Iam writing this while still basking in the residual glow of Congress 2019 – possibly our most successful recent Congress. There are several very good reasons why Congress 2019 was such a success, but one that stands out in particular is the role that was played by our diagnostics industry partners. Without our industry partners supporting us with their amazing input to the exhibition, there would simply not be a Congress as we know it.

However, industry did more than simply provide our exhibition content, for the fi rst time they had a signifi cant input to the lecture programme and workshops. We have so much to learn from our industry partners and they have so much to off er. It is very easy to become blinkered to

life beyond the laboratory, and the diagnostic companies that provide us with our equipment and reagents have knowledge and experience that is usually from a very diff erent perspective from our own. Engaging with our representatives and contacts in the industry sector can broaden our understanding of the multiple and complex factors that shape the delivery of healthcare and that enable us to have a truly holistic view of our sector. This Suppliers Guide is a handy resource for every laboratory to have; at their fi ngertips, the names and contact details of all our key industry providers. With so much change and growth taking place in the diagnostic sector, it helps to have information that is both current and accurate; it is also refreshing to read the thoughts and opinions of our industry leaders who are pleased to contribute their experience to this publication. I hope you fi nd this 2020 Suppliers Guide interesting and helpful in enabling you to identify the suppliers of the products you need. From my perspective, I am just grateful that we work in partnership with such a dynamic sector that has so much to off er.

FOREWORDS RISE TO THE CHALLENGE IN THE YEAR AHEAD

Mark Reed, Chairman of the Company Members Committee and General Manager of Pro-Lab Diagnostics, says it is a time of change and challenges, but the future will be bright.

Now in its third year, the IBMS guide is certainly proving useful to all members be they laboratory or commercially based.

I have said on behalf of the Company Members many times how valuable our relationship is with IBMS and that has not changed. The thoughts shared by Sarah here clearly refl ect the value with which all parties hold the strong relationship that we have, and Congress is without doubt the key event in all of our calendars every two years. What does continue to change, of course, is the world of biomedical science and the use, application, and development of vitro diagnostics kits and reagents. Consolidation, standardisation, mergers, new

technologies, automation, genomics, a need for faster results, clearer patient care pathways continues to be a challenge for all concerned. When it will all settle down, no one really knows, but we must continue to rise to the challenge.

This drive for improvement is punishing at times, and it does require high levels of investment in research and development, marketing, regulatory compliance, and market acceptance once the products are ready for market. It is hoped that all involved parties continue to recognise this, and that we don’t become a market completely dictated to by cost.

The future of biomedical science will be bright, and will no doubt be nothing like the traditional market of science some of us will remember, but it will be there, and so will we. My fi nal point here is one for recruitment, if I may. Your Company Members Committee (see pages 8-9 for more information) is a small group of individuals and we could do with some help. Please let me know if you have some time to spare – it is rewarding. Be warned though, it can also be hectic, especially on the run up to Congress. Enjoy.