German med-tech industry sales grow 5.5%
Companies in the German medical technology sector continue to be strong on innovation and growth, creating additional new jobs, according to the 2010 autumn survey 139 member companies carried out by BVMed, the German Medical Technology Association.
‘The overall economic development of the industry is good. Over 80% of the med-tech companies surveyed
expect to see sales growth this year out-perform 2009. Growth in sales this year comes in at around 5.5%,
compared to the previous year 2009, a year of crisis, when it rated 3.0%,’ explained, BVMed Chairman of the
Board Dr Meinrad Lugan. However, the profit situation has been diminished due to a substantial rise in the cost of raw materials and a higher rate of late payments. Thus, companies are only cautiously optimistic in their outlook for 2011: 48% expect better profit results than this year; 17% actually expect to see a decline in profits.
According to the survey, job market trends reveal the medical technology sector to be a main driver of jobs as
before. Half of the companies surveyed have created new jobs, compared to the previous year. 96% of
companies have vacancies. Dr Lugan: ‘In this way, the med-tech industry is not only making an outstanding contribution to the health sector but is also a source of hope for the German labour market.’
When it comes to health-policy demands, the issue of ‘de-bureaucratisation and accelerating decisionmaking’
takes centre-stage. 60% of companies cite these aspects as the most important demands. This is mainly directed at the Joint Federal Committee. Accordingly, a quarter of the companies favour a reform of self-governing bodies, with a greater degree of political legitimacy, more transparency and rights of participation, as well as clear time-limit provisions.
Overall, Germany is given good marks as a business location by the med-tech companies. 60% see a high level of patient care. Examples of the country’s great strengths are well-trained physicians (57%), a high standard of clinical research (48%), well-educated engineers (39%) and highly-qualified scientists (34%).
However, the companies see a weakness in the reimbursement system. Only a quarter of them consider the general conditions governing the reimbursement for medical products to be stable. Only 23% of the firms are satisfied with Germany’s level of reimbursement.
19.11.2010
