Outlook Remains Positive for Med-Tech Industry

In spite of all the bad news, the Bundesverband Medizintechnologie (German Association of Medical Technology), or BVMed, has reinforced its statement from last year in which it predicted that the med-tech sector would remain stable and generate new jobs in 2009. The overall mood in the industry seems positive. A study conducted by BVMed last year found that 55% of companies were able to generate additional jobs in 2008, compared with the previous year. About 30% maintained their number of employees. The med-tech sector employs a total of about 170,000 people in Germany.

Although the introduction of the “Gesundheitsfonds” (health funds) is causing quite a stir in Germany, the initiative might create an opportunity for health insurance companies to improve patient benefits. So right now would probably be a good time to establish alliances to optimise processes, improve quality and further medical progress. And that would involve everyone in the industry, from health insurers to hospitals and physicians, and med-tech companies.

Tags: BVMed