The IBMS Company Members Committee was formed to work alongside the main IBMS committees and operates under specific terms of reference and a set of governing rules suitable for purpose. Its main objectives are to:
* liaise closely with members of the other IBMS committees, as appropriate
* represent the needs of the Company Members
* offer representation of the Company Members on individual advisory panels (APs)
* offer representation of the Company Members at regional IBMS meetings
* ensure a successful IBMS Congress
* work in conjunction with Step Exhibitions for the IBMS Congress
* facilitate greater communications with outside organisations
* increase Company Member communication before, during and after Congress
* liaise at regular meetings with the IBMS
* work with the British In Vitro Diagnostics Association (BIVDA), European Diagnostic Manufacturers Association (EDMA) and the Labs are Vital initiative.
The most noticeable contribution that the Company Members Committee makes has to be to Congress. The face of Congress has changed dramatically over the past 10 years, and the level of planning and organisation required is phenomenal. The entire elected membership of all IBMS committees, especially the Birmingham branch committee, make tremendous efforts in this area, and are all to be commended for what has become a key date in the diary for all members.
Many readers will be familiar with the now traditional Company Members Evening on the last night of Congress, and no doubt some will also be familiar with the morning after and the sterling efforts made to attend lecture sessions. This is just as hard for those of us from the commercial side of the fence.
Science background
Our involvements and responsibilities do not end here, as it does not always need a team of seasoned professionals to organise a party, particularly when appropriate entertainment and refreshments are provided. It is important to remember that the vast majority of company representatives, whether they be in the field or in an office, have a background in science and very often from the laboratory area that we now serve. Our passion for the industry remains and our experience with other organising bodies for large-scale scientific meetings is extremely valuable. For example, we have involvement with organising groups for Medica, Microbe, the American Society of Microbiology (ASM), and exhibitions in association with the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ECCMID), Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC), The Association for Clinical Biochemistry (ACB), The Society for Applied Microbiology (SfAM), Wessex Applied Microbiologists (WAM), the Society for Anaerobic Microbiology (SAM) and Scottish Microbiology Association (SMA) to name just a few. Close ties are maintained by the above with the commercial world for contributions far beyond that of financial support and sponsorship.
Much to offer
So, what else do we do? Having been involved with the committee now for four years and recently having accepted the role of its chairman, I will try to explain. Before I do, however, I would like to thank John Bagshaw (bioMérieux) and Jag Grewal (GSTS Pathology) for their hard work as chairmen over previous years, and, of course, all previous, current and new committee members.
A Company Member or Company Members Committee member has much to offer the IBMS. Collectively, the Company Members Committee represents over 30 years’ experience in the commercial world – accumulatively it exceeds 100 years. This is coupled with our own continuing scientific education programme that we all follow to keep our companies at the forefront of technology and our customers’ potential needs. The number of CPD credit-rated courses hosted and run in the commercial world is clearly indicative of this. The financial resources dedicated by commercial companies to product development, product support, regulatory compliance and technical advance runs into many millions of pounds, and this is a key area in which our work with the IBMS can benefit all.
Commercial work would have nowhere to go if we did not listen to our customers, and our customers would be at a loss if we did not listen to their needs. This identifies two key areas for Company Members Committee work – contribution to and representation on IBMS advisory panels (APs) and at regional meetings.
Advisory panels form a key part of the IBMS, including important work on the scientific programmes for Congress. The APs comprise approximately 10 members, all of whom have a passionate interest in the particular discipline. Representation also includes one member from education and one from the commercial sector. The APs meet two to three times each year to discuss continuing education, assessments, examination formats and protocols, and any alterations related to CPD and Clinical Pathology Accreditation (CPA). The Company Members representative is relied upon for many things including methodology changes, regulatory affairs and details of company acquisitions and mergers that may be of interest to the panel. All non-confidential information is shared freely with other Company Members and APs.
Valuable advice
Regional meetings naturally form an integral part for all members and professionals in all IBMS regions. Company Members attend these meetings, by invitation, simply to offer help, contributions and advice where appropriate. This can include but may not be limited to the following:
* straightforward advice concerning speakers and venues for regional meetings and discussion forums
* advice on the complexities of the ever-changing world of regularly affairs and product registration compliance IVD requirements and updates.
* ISO updates
* product development ideas
* central purchasing conditions / impact of managed services.
We are keen to help in any way that we can. This is by no means commercially driven for the benefit of a single company, as all Company Member representatives are bound by the terms of reference to operate independently. This is an important area where we have offered valuable advice on many occasions.
It is also important to note that, should a confidential matter be raised within either an AP or regional meeting, company representatives are happy to leave the meeting if required to do so at any point.
Working together
In conclusion, we believe our contributions are offered openly and honestly and often involve additional work that we are happy to carry out. We offer continual access to vital information in our world on the commercial side of science, where we all share a passion for the future of healthcare and diagnostic improvements. Finally, elected members of the IBMS Company Members Committee may be contact at any time for contributions, advice or any matter you consider of importance. We look forward to continuing our work together. Should there be any questions, or contributions you feel you can make, please do not hesitate to contact either myself or Ann at ant time.