A Role Model for the Medical Device Industry

Germany has more to proud of than the World Cup championship. While the European Union is suffering from an economic crisis, Germany has maintained a growing healthcare industry, showing impressive strength in all areas ranging from R&D and medtech startups to regulation and market growth.

The medical device sector is the largest employer in Germany, according to BVmed 2011/2012 industry report. With 5.4 million employees, almost one in seven jobs in Germany can be found in the healthcare industry. Germany represents 14.6% of medical device global share (second only to the United States) and exports 65% of medical technologies made in the country. To fight against the effects of an ageing population, Germany has implemented a series of major healthcare reforms over the past 20 years.

It seems like the medical device industry has a lot to learn from Europe’s strongest country.

References: http://www.mddionline.com/blog/devicetalk/whats-germany-better-soccer-medtech-140714

http://www.mddionline.com/article/what-germany%E2%80%99s-secret-how-world-can-learn-thriving-medtech-industry

http://www.emdt.co.uk/article/western-europe%E2%80%99s-medical-device-market-under-increasing-pressure

Brazil’s Medical Device Market: Opportunities and Challenges

As an important emerging market that has captured the attention of foreign medical device manufacturers, Brazil currently imports 60% of its medical equipment, amounting to US$1.9 billion. With 200 million inhabitants, an Unified Health System (SUS) and an estimated 36 million Brazilians ascended into the middle class within the past four years, public and private partnerships are necessary to increase the access to a better standard of care demanded by the Brazilian people.

However, this attractive market also shows some challenges. This is especially true when it comes to registration and certificates system, audits processes, administrative and import obstacles. ANVISA is Brazil’s National Health Surveillance Agency that suffers from processes delays and lack of professionals. Some initiatives have already happened in order to facilitate registration processes and market access, as  the Memorandum of Understanding that was signed by U.S., Canadian and Australian Notified Bodies with their Brazilian counterparts in 2012.

References: http://www.emdt.co.uk/daily-buzz/opportunities-abound-brazil-medical-device-market-expect-delays?cid=nl.emdt03