BVMed autumn survey: growth slowed in the medical technology sector

Sales growth in the medical device industry has declined over the previous year. This is clear from the current autumn survey of the German Medical Technology Association (BVMed). Accordingly, revenue growth has averaged 4.4 percent in 2012, whereas the year before the figure was 5.3 percent.

Especially in Germany, there was some stagnation, while the exports performed well in foreign markets. The association claims that some companies suppressed to the enormous price pressure caused by cooperative purchasing and procurement. Moreover, there was a sharp rise in commodity prices charged and higher debts.

„Germany is indeed judged as still overwhelmingly positive. There are, however, increasingly low reimbursement rates and an anti-innovative policy of health insurance,“ said BVMed Director Joachim Schmitt. (Quote translated by kon.media)

Despite this difficult economic situation, the medical technology industry in Germany is a job creator. Nearly 60 percent of companies have created jobs. Overall, the sector employs over 175,000 people in Germany.

Commentary: In addition to the figures published in the medical forms, they are still testing the new rules laid as a central point of discussion between manufacturers and health insurance. It aims to improve access to new diagnostic and treatment methods. This is part of the ongoing medical technology innovation hostility, where representatives have criticised the funds – that would be under the new Rules of Procedure – of reimbursement introduction onto the market of medical devices. The testing scheme is part of the supply structure Law (WTL) that came into force on 1st January 2012. It is not the medical device that is self-rated, but the potential of the method. This is always the case when an additional benefit for the patient exists. The services themselves are reimbursed by health insurance.

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