German Medtech Sector Bucks the Trend

Medical technology trade association, BVMed questioned its members in October 2009 about the current status of the German medtech sector. One hundred and ten of BVMed’s 226 member companies participated in the autumn survey. The findings show that medtech companies in Germany are defying the economic and financial crisis. They have enjoyed an average growth of almost four percent in 2009 and continue to create thousands of new jobs.

Fifty two percent of those questioned expect better sales results this year than in 2008. That is significantly more positive than the 37 percent reported just six months ago in the 2009 spring survey. The insecurity caused by the economic and financial crisis has given way to increasing confidence. Only 19 percent of the companies surveyed expect weaker business results. The average growth in sales is almost four percent.

It is surprising that despite the economic and financial crisis, the medtech sector remains a job engine in Germany, says BVMed. Approximately 47 percent of the companies have created new jobs compared with the previous year; more than 220 BVMed member companies have created 4200 jobs in 2009.

Changes on the way: In its latest newsletter BVMed also warns medical device manufacturers to prepare for the changes to come in March 2010 with the fourth German medical device law (MPG) amendment. New requirements and implementation options for medtech companies were the focus of a recent BVMed conference, see www.bvmed.de press releases.

In addition statutory healh insurance reforms are expected in 2011. The new German government is maintaining the status quo in 2010: health pool, risk structure compensation between the health insurance schemes and contribution rate will not change. However, enormous restratification is planned in the finances of statutory health insurance. The parity of the contributions between employer and employee, a standardised contribution rate of the health insurance schemes and the health pool system are being examined.

Tags: BVMed, German medtech