07/10/2012

The 2012 China International Medical Equipment Fair

Large crowds of medical professionals and healthcare products manufacturers converged on China’s boomtown Shenzhen for the recent 2012 China International Medical Equipment Fair (CMEF). Simultaneously held conferences included the China Integrated Medical Imaging Summit (CIMIS) and the Annual In-Vitro Diagnostics Summit China. Michael Reiter reports

Significantly driven by subsidies from the national and provincial governments, the country’s healthcare expenditure continues to rise. As in preceding five-year plans, the current plan includes improved access to, and quality of, medical services among its top priorities. This means heavy investment in imaging and laboratory technology as well as basic ICT – particularly for rural care providers. CEIC, Deutsche Bank Research, MOH and CICC statistics reveal that total national healthcare spending increased from RMB 476 billion in 2000 to RMB 2,222 billion in 2011 (expected), and government spending on care jumped from RMB 49 billion to RMB 535 billion in 2011 (expected).

Subsidised basic health insurance is supposed to reduce saving for out-of-pocket expenditure and foster domestic spending, a key growth and stability factor for China’s economy.Although Chinese manufacturers are catching up, the professor believes it will take another 10-15 years to reach the technol- key growth and stability factor for China’s economy.

Imaging

Speaking at CMEF, Professor Tian Jiahe, Director of the Nuclear Medicine Department, Chinese PLA General Hospital, pointed out that there is really no difference between PLA and civilian hospitals; civilians will also be treated at military hospitals. Uptake of CTs is rather high in China, even in smaller hospitals, he added. MRI is progressing and top hospitals will have several devices. The country has around 160 PET/CTs, with an expected 200 by end of 2012. PACS are well established in class III hospitals and now also embraced by care providers at the other levels; just as EMRs, the government will subsidise investment. Although Chinese manufacturers are catching up, the professor believes it will take another 10-15 years to reach the technology level of global players. In the interest of patient care, collaboration between European and Chinese hospitals should be intensified, in particular in translational medicine.

In-vitro diagnostics

The lab market in Europe, the USA and Japan is mature, with low to mid single-digit growth, explained industrial analyst Greg Stutman, Vice-President of Boston Biomedical Consultants. Austerity measures in economically pressed EU member countries are slowing investments and capping unnecessary lab tests. In France, with its roughly 4,000 labs, a consolidation process will drive automation and integration, as well as price cuts, he explained. Healthcare reform uncertainty is halting investments in the USA, while Japan favours local players, he added. Trying to offset these difficult trends, global players aim to profit from double-digit lab market growth in emerging regions where, apart from cardiac and cancer, diabetes propels expansion. Local firms also strive to gain a market share in those regions, e.g. in India and particularly China. There, local manufacturers are active in chemistry, including hardware and reagents; haematology, rapid tests, Elisa, urinalysis, and diabetes.

Those companies sell domestically and to other emerging markets; some have achieved CE – easier to get than FDA; in EMEA, they distribute to Eastern Europe and the Middle East, Greg Stutman explained. Chinese manufacturers – roughly 350 – are maturing, and they emphasise hardware and reagent quality and gain certification, market researcher Nat Whitney pointed out, adding that support is a key challenge to increasing Chinese sales to places such as Europe. What are future IVD trends? IT will be a key lab vendor differentiator in the future, he believes. In optimising quality and patient safety, harmonisation of test results will play a key role; a global initiative is coming, of Programs and Policy, explained Dr Myers, Vice Presitent of American Association for Clinical Chemistry AACC.

Exhibition highlights

A kaleidoscope of Chinese and international goods were on show. Some domestic equipment manufacturers, such as Weigao (Wego), are beginning to look at exporting. For imaging manufacturer Shenzhen Anke, Europe is not yet a focus. China Sinopharm, a large distributor of selected quality products, is interested in increasing volume to the continent, particularly the Eastern countries. Imaging and IT manufacturer Neusoft is a top player in CT, MRI, and DR in China, with a 64-slice CT launched and heavy investment in PET/CT development; more competitive products will be offered in Europe, predicted Jack Guo, head of European business. Product quality and focus on support are among key strategies for Landwind’s European plans, which include OEM and own branding; the company’s offering spans from IVD and imaging to PACS and IT. MRI maker Ningbo Xingaoyi Magnetism currently exports to 16 countries (e.g. Poland).

Disinfection equipment manufacturer Shinva works with an Italian partner for Western Europe and with distributors for Eastern countries. Yuyue exports glucose meters, oxygen generators and more to Europe through dealers, focusing on Russia. Today, patient monitoring and life support, ultrasound and IVD are Mindray’s main products, said David Yin, Managing Director for Europe, who, at CMEF, was showing the firm’s 3-D haematology devices, a high-speed biochemistry analyser, top-level touch-screen colour Doppler machine and an end-to-end operating theatre solution reported to integrate seamlessly and display information from digital imaging and patient monitors to infusion pump values on a collaboration platform. Mindray is, he pointed out, well positioned for further growth in Europe, with its combination of USA and European R&D and engineering as well as manufacturing in China and close contact to hospitals locally. CMEF Autumn 2012: 18-21 October (http://en.cmef.com.cn)
 

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