Rather than wait on the FDA—whose approval process Makower described as unpredictable, non-transparent, inconsistent, and slow—American companies considering the European market first, where new products can be approved two years faster. As companies move the development of their products overseas, they take American jobs with them. The medical technology industry represents over 2 million jobs. During a time of 9 percent unemployment, the U.S. can’t afford to lose them.
