Brazilian Health Devices keeps Impressing

Healthcare companies supported by Brazilian Health Devices, and ABIMO’s (Brazilian Association of Medical Devices and Equipment Industry) project, perform better than the national industry as a whole when it comes to exports. In collaboration with APEX-Brasil (Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency), the 160 medtech companies that participate in the project exported together US$ 190 million in 2012 and their main exports partners were USA, Mexico, Peru, Germany, Venezuela. While the Brazilian industry has reduced imports by 14.8% between 2011 and 2013, the healthcare companies that integrate ABIMO’s project increased their exports by 7.1%.

ABIMO and APEX-Brasil renewed their agreement to keep boosting Brazilian medical and dental devices exports. However, the Brazilian Health Devices’ Manager explained that besides boosting the exports, the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency seeks an effective process of internationalization for Brazilian healthcare companies, focusing not only on trade expansion, but also in developing the competitiveness of Brazil.

References: http://www.abimo.org.br/modules/news/article.php?article_id=485

Increasing Healthcare Costs

According to L.E.K. Consulting, medical device companies are suffering from unprecedented pricing pressures. Recently, the consulting company published the results of a survey with American hospitals’ CEOs reporting that reducing costs is among their top five most pressing needs. Also, the purchasing process has become more complicated and all supplies and new technologies have to go through a value/cost analysis.

Despite cost pressure, most of the hospitals’ CEOs answered that they are interested in buying additional services from medtech companies, especially in clinical IT and analytics, operations management and efficiency, and education, training, and compliance. They want to see medtech firms prove that their solutions can improve the quality of patient care, lower hospitals’ overall costs, or increase the efficiency of their clinical staffs.

References: http://www.mddionline.com/blog/devicetalk/6-threats-and-opportunities-medtech-new-healthcare-paradigm