Getinge 2022 Annual Report slide image

Getinge 2022 Annual Report

Getinge 2022 Annual Report Introduction Strategy Corporate Governance Annual Report Sustainability Report Other information Contents OTHER RISK AREAS OF MAJOR IMPORTANCE TO GETINGE Risks related to healthcare reimbursement systems Description Political decisions can change the conditions for healthcare through changed reimbursement models for healthcare providers. Potential consequences Changes to the healthcare reimburse- ment system can have a major impact on individual markets by reducing or deferring grants. Management It is difficult to influence this risk since these decisions are outside the Group's control but the risk is limited by Getinge being active in a large number of markets. Product liability risks Healthcare suppliers run a risk, like other players in the healthcare industry, of being subject to product liability and other legal claims. Such claims can involve large amounts and significant legal expenses. Getinge carries the customary indemnity and product liability insurances, but there is a risk that this insurance coverage may not fully cover product liability and other claims. The best way of managing these risks is the extensive quality-related and regulatory activities performed by the Group. Sources of potential future claims for damages are monitored through active incident reporting. Corrective and protective action (CAPA) is initiated when necessary to investigate the underlying cause, after which the product design may be corrected to remedy the fault. The settlement for surgical mesh implants, which Getinge announced previously, has been completed and payment of the majority of the damages was made in the first quarter of 2023. The remaining portion of the payment is expected to be made in the first half of 2023. Risks related to intellectual property rights Getinge's leading positions in many of the Group's product segments are based on patent and trademark rights. These rights could lead to disputes with competitors. Getinge invests significant resources in product development that results in patent rights. There is a risk that the Group will be involved in costly disputes concerning such rights and thus a risk that invested resources will not generate the expected return if such a dispute is lost. To secure returns on these investments, Getinge actively upholds its rights and monitors competitors' activities closely. If required, Getinge will protect its intellectual property rights through legal processes. Financial risks Getinge is exposed to a number of financial risks in its operations. Financial risks principally pertain to currency risks, interest-rate risks, and credit and counterparty risks. Fluctuations in exchange rates and inter- est rates and changes in counterparties' credit profiles could adversely affect the Group's income statement and balance sheet. Risk management is regulated by the finance policy adopted by the Board and a Treasury Directive approved by the Getinge Executive Team based on the finance policy. The ultimate responsibility for managing the Group's financial risks and developing methods and principles of financial risk management lies with the Getinge Executive Team and the Treasury function. For more detailed information concerning these risks, refer to Note 28. Information and data security Leaks of confidential information or hacking into the Group's IT system resulting in restricted availability or interruptions of business-critical systems. Leaks of personal data could lead to high fines. Hacking into IT systems could lead to business interruptions. A loss of sensitive information may adversely affect confidence in the company. The Group's IT structure is to be considered to be decentralized, which reduces the consequence of any unauthorized access. The Group has improved user authentication during the year to prevent hacking. This work will continue in the year ahead. The Group also closely monitors critical systems to prevent hacking. 53
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