ACR weighs in on U.S. Dept. of Commerce medical imports investigation

The American College of Radiology (ACR) has filed comments with the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) regarding its investigation of potential effects on national security of imports of personal protective equipment (PPE), medical consumables, and medical equipment (including devices).

"The investigation could have implications for potential tariffs on medical devices used in diagnostic and interventional radiology, radiation oncology, nuclear medicine, and medical physics," the ACR said.

It is recommending that the DOC "differentiate advanced medical technologies from PPE and medical consumables (e.g., syringes) in its investigation," and argues that "imposing tariffs on imaging technology, including materials and parts used to manufacture this technology, would add financial burden to an already strained U.S. healthcare system and would increase the cost of diagnostic and therapeutic services for patients."

In a similar missive on October 17, the Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed) also submitted comments to the DOC, focusing on the country's medtech imports.