Medical Devices Industry Outlook for 2012 and Beyond

 In the global medical devices industry, it is predicted that Brazil, Russia, India, and China will be the fastest-growing regions in the market. This growth will be brought about by "stronger economic growth, government funding and reforms, changing consumer lifestyles, increasing penetration of medical insurance products, together with a rise in disposable incomes in these regions." [1]
In Asia, however, while the emerging China medical devices industry continues to grow at a fast speed, backed by the Government's strong push for healthcare reform, the Japanese market, the world's second largest next to the United States, might experience a substantial impact of the March 11, 2011 tsunami. The medical devices industry of Korea, meanwhile, might boost significantly and most likely to benefit from the most recent U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement. On the other hand, Malaysia's medical devices industry continues to strive to become a big player in the region by improving domestic market penetration and increasing exports through its Medical Devices Act.
As we have reported previously, according to Simranjit Singh, Director-Healthcare Practice, Frost & Sullivan, "It is likely that, by 2015, the medical devices industry in Asia Pacific will be looking at a growth rate almost double that of the rest of the world, signifying exciting times ahead indeed for Asia Pacific." Frost & Sullivan forecasted a 62.3 U.S. billion Asia Pacific market by 2012, a contribution of 25.8% of the global market.
The trend of the medical devices industry in Asia will still be more on imaging, cardiovascular, and healthcare IT. At the 66th CMEF in Fuzhou, China, Glenn Hou, Executive Director-Greater China, Frost & Sullivan, for his medical imaging CSSI 2011 report, mentioned that "the market is shifting towards the implementation of innovative strategies, integrated technology and hybrid modalities, improved temporal and spatial resolution, and reduced dosage and examination time." However, segments of orthopedics, self-monitoring and home care, disposables, wound care, and surgical equipment will continue to compete with the top three divisions. More and more mergers and acquisitions are forecasted to happen. Stimuli of industry growth include impact areas such as market competition, penetration of healthcare at grassroots level, private-public partnerships, pricing and reform, medical security systems, infrastructure, and labor force.
[1] Research and Markets: Global Medical Devices Industry Outlook Survey 2011-2012

 Diagnostic Imaging
Advances in radiology and medical imaging: breast care, endoscopy, and microscopy

 Remote Diagnostics
Provincial hospital screening data transmitted to city hospital for interpretation of results:
laboratory and imaging

 Patient Monitoring and Home Healthcare
Patient data monitors and blood pressure, diabetes, and blood sugar kits for hospital and home use

 Geriatric Care
Effect of rapidly aging population in Asia on the market of medical devices for senior citizens

 Interventional Medicine
Minimally invasive procedures and devices instead of traditional surgery: cardiovascular, pain, and rehabilitation

 Healthcare IT
E-health, mobile medicine, and medical transcription/electronic medical records

 Trends in Hospital Care Solutions
Medical tourism that provides facility upgrades and new services and treatments

 Green Healthcare
Environmentally friendly hospital solutions