Publications on Asia

Device Companies Look to Asia for Growth

Asia will continue to lead the world's growth over the next 20 years. Whether Western device companies maximize their opportunities in the region will be a function of understanding various regulatory and business issues in the Asian countries.

The Intersection of Business and Culture in the Asian Medical Markets

By recognizing the nuances of cultural diversity in each specific Asian country, your company will be guaranteed a higher level of success and long-term sustainability.

Medical Device Updates and Regulation Changes in Asia

Asia is emerging from the global recession faster than other regions in the world. This article goes through some of the major regulatory updates in various Asian countries.

Looking East for R&D and Clinical Trials

R&D in Asia has the potential to significantly improve the global performance of medical device companies by cutting costs and speeding product development�but extensive due diligence is required for success.

ASEAN Medical Device Regulatory Integration

Navigating global regulatory markets can be a challenge, particularly when multiple countries in a region differ in their rules. Playing by a common set of rules for medtech regulation is about to get a little easier in Southeast Asia, as a group of countries prepares to unveil a more unified approach to oversight.

Contract Research Organizations in Asia 2010

This report on Asian CROs provides a comprehensive list of clinical research organizations throughout Asia. The countries covered include: Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, India, China, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand. Included for each CRO is the contact information, description of services and comments about the CRO. This report includes an overview of the increasing trend of pharmaceutical companies outsourcing clinical research to CROs in Asia, as well as some recommendations for choosing the right Asian CRO. In addition, this report presents some short overviews of the regulatory procedures required for obtaining government approval to conduct a clinical trial in each of the above countries.

Sourcing Medical Devices in Asia 2010

This report helps medical device manufacturers and distributors better understand how to source from Asia. Topics covered include: how to identify manufacturers, how to perform due diligence, what to look for during factory visits, contract negotiations, regulatory requirements, logistics, quality control, and other issues related to the sourcing equation. This report will also offer advice on how to avoid and troubleshoot problems and pitfalls that may arise in the course of the sourcing process, as well as information about insurance, payment arrangements, freight forwarding, and customs.

Furthermore, we will include Microsoft Excel spreadsheet templates on CD-ROM with this report that will facilitate your transportation and shipping decisions when dealing with multiple SKUs being shipped in one container.

Orphan Drugs in Asia 2010

While orphan drug laws in Asia may provide benefits for companies registering new drugs, such as marketing exclusivity, an expedited registration process, and a reduction in the number of clinical trials required, each registration process is unique and can pose a variety of challenges. This report reviews the orphan drug regulations throughout Asia and discusses various business issues related to orphan drugs in Asia. Lists of approved orphan drugs in Asia and orphan drug associations are also included.

Managing Asian Cultural Diversity: Cross-cultural Issues across Asia

"East is East and West is West," said Rudyard Kipling. However, managing Asian cultural diversity is a lot more complex for Western companies. Each country has its own culture, history, ideology, language, and philosophy: a strategy in Taiwan may not work in China, and vice versa. Understanding the local mentality, beliefs, and even linguistic traits can make a world difference in managing Asian employees effectively. Find out more in this webcast.

ASEAN Medical Device Harmonization Trends

Regulatory harmonization, post-marketing surveillance schemes, and a Common Submission Dossier Template are just some of the new plans the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has been working on recently. Are you aware of the newest regulations and trends in Southeast Asia? Though some of these nations' medical device regulations have been minimal or nonexistant in the past, increased regulation and rapid change are now underway.

Updates on Asia's Medical Device Market -- IVD Focus (PDF)

Asia is increasingly focusing their regulations on In-Vitro Diagnostic (IVD) devices and reagents. This presentation provides an overview of the major Asian medical device markets while including details on IVD regulations.

Standards in Asia's Medical Device Market (PDF)

Asia is increasingly focusing their regulations on harmonization and compliance with international standards in medical devices. This presentation provides an overview of the major Asian medical device markets while including details on specific countries, such as China, Korea, and Japan.

Managing Asian Cultural Diversity: Cross-cultural Issues across Asia

"East is East and West is West," said Rudyard Kipling. However, managing Asian cultural diversity is a lot more complex for Western companies. Each country has its own culture, history, ideology, language, and philosophy: a strategy in Taiwan may not work in China, and vice versa. Understanding the local mentality, beliefs, and even linguistic traits can make a world difference in managing Asian employees effectively. Find out more in this webcast.

A Regulatory Update on Asia's Smaller Medical Device Markets

When medical companies think of bringing their products to the Asian markets, they typically think of larger countries like China, Japan, or Korea first. However, other smaller Asian countries such as Singapore and Malaysia can be worthwhile destinations as well. Although they have smaller populations, these markets all have well-developed healthcare systems and are receptive to advanced products. In addition, their medical device markets are growing rapidly and, in many instances, are more easily accessible to foreign manufacturers. Before venturing into these territories, however, regulatory professionals will need to keep track of current changes to be successful. This article discusses recent regulatory developments in Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, the Philippines, and Taiwan.

Regulatory Update: Asia's Largest Medical Device Markets

Asia’s growth over the last five years has been phenomenal. China saw at least 10% annual growth in GDP between 2003 and 2006, and India’s GDP figures progressed from 7% to 9% over the same period. These countries’ medical device markets are growing at similarly high rates as their populations demand better healthcare to match their new living standards. On the other hand, Japan and Korea, with slower GDP growth (2% in Japan and 5% in Korea in 2006), are also attractive, mature markets for medical devices. This article discusses recent medical device regulatory developments in these major markets.

Sourcing Medical Devices in Asia: An Introduction

The multiple advantages of lower overhead, lower labor costs, and increasing technical capabilities are leading more medical product manufacturers to establish facilities in Asia. However, manufacturing in Asia is a more complex proposition than its reputation for cheap, reasonable-quality products might suggest. Differences in language, culture and business practices can require a significant investment of resources to achieve a productive working relationship with a medical device supplier or subcontractor.

This article will go into more detail on specific countries, such as China, India, and Singapore.

Sourcing Medical Devices in Asia 2007

Not Every Asian Country Is Created Equal, and Knowing the Differences Can Help Avoid Pitfalls

There’s no denying that China has become a dominant manufacturer in the world market, and developing countries such as Vietnam and India are coming up quickly behind it. When it comes to outsourcing opportunities, some Asian countries have significant advantages—low labor costs, widely available technical talent and, in some cases, business-friendly regulations. In this environment, many medical device companies are turning to Asia to find a new supply of companies to source their products or even set up their own factories.

Strategies for Success in China, Japan, India

Tremendous opportunities abound in the China, Japanese, and Indian medical markets. Understanding how to enter or expand in these markets is key to surviving in the competitive global market. From setting up your own branch in Japan to conducting clinical trials in India, this webcast CD will delve into the key business and regulatory issues in China, Japan, and India.

Conducting Clinical Trials in Asia

With steadily increasing drug development costs and significant time spent on clinical trials, outsourcing clinical trials in Asia has rapidly become an appealing option for many firms. As developing a single drug can cost more than $200 million and take at least 10 years, Asia (except Japan) offers a less expensive, less time-consuming process for clinical trials. Simultaneously, increased demand and awareness for various medical drugs and health services have encouraged many of these countries to develop their own Contract Research Organizations (CROs), and many U.S. firms have eagerly turned to these options to survive in a growing competitive global market.

Orphan Drugs in Asia

Asia has huge potential for orphan drug medications and treatments. Asia’s population is nearly 4 billion, close to two-thirds of the world’s 6.4 billion inhabitants. Most Asian countries are experiencing GDP growth over 5% and Japan’s economy is growing for the first time in a decade.

While some Asian countries such as Japan and Singapore have highly advanced healthcare systems, others, such as China and Indonesia, are still striving to improve their systems. As each Asian country’s healthcare system differs, the potential for an orphan drug’s success will also vary throughout the region.

Asia Orthopedics Update

Asia has a population of over 4 billion people, and represents about 60% of the world’s population. Annual economic growth rates in the Asian countries have been as high as 8 or 10% over the past decade, in comparison with some developed countries where growth has been 4% or lower. In many Asian countries, this rapid economic growth has led to increased personal incomes, improved public health care, and longer life expectancies.

The Asian market for orthopedic devices today is valued at about $1.5 billion, with average annual growth in recent years of over 5%. Hip implants have the largest share of the market, with over 40%; trauma devices account for about 35%, and knee implants account for about 25%. On a global scale, Asia accounts for about one-quarter of world demand for orthopedic products. The Asian orthopedic device market is forecasted to reach nearly $2 billion in 2009.

Drug and Device Markets throughout the Asian Region (PDF)

Pharmaceutical and medical device markets are expanding throughout Asia. This presentation covers the medical device and pharmaceutical markets in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, India and Vietnam, and provides country-specific information about drug, device and IVD regulations in these countries. Specific topics include registration, pricing and reimbursement, manufacturing and GMP, import licenses, patents, and clinical trials in these countries.

Outsourcing Medical Products to Asia

As competition in the global medical device market intensifies, U.S. medical companies are increasingly seeking out ways to reduce costs in manufacturing, R&D, clinical trials and other medical services. Many Asian countries offer a lower cost of labor (China and India) and skilled labor force. Combining this with the region’s fast-growing economies and quickly aging populations (Japan’s elderly population is currently 19.48 percent, versus about 12.5 percent in the U.S.), these conditions provide promising opportunities for U.S. medical device companies outsourcing to Asia.

Regulatory Updates for Medical Devices in Asia (PDF)

This presentation provides information on the medical device regulatory environments for Japan, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, and India.  Some of the specific topics covered include Japan’s new Pharmaceutical Affairs Law (PAL) and Marketing Authorization Holder (MAH) System; the medical device registration process in China; and the reimbursement process in Taiwan.

Sales and Marketing of Your Pharmaceutical Products in Asia (PDF)

This presentation provides insightful information on building distributor networks, setting up your own office in Asia, and marketing strategies in the Asian region. Specifically, business structure options for China and Japan are described, as well as some recruiting strategies for staffing offices in these countries. Regulatory information on pharmaceutical promotion, sampling and pricing is included for Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, and other countries.

Regulatory Updates for Drugs, Devices and IVDs in Asia

To expand their sales in the Asian medical markets, medical companies need to stay abreast of the new and changing regulatory environments for drugs, devices and In Vitro Diagnostics (IVDs). New or improved regulations are implemented frequently in Asia, including changes in GMP standards, drug price controls and medical device regulatory systems. This article discusses some of the recent and more significant changes in the region’s medical regulations. Countries impacted by these new regulations and covered in this article include Japan, Hong Kong, China, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam.

Outsourcing to Asia (PDF)

This session will investigate manufacturing and subcontract manufacturing in China. Topics to be discussed include how to set up a factory in China and steps to import medical products. Outsourcing R&D and clinical trials with a focus on India will also be covered.
- Key considerations when setting up manufacturing in China
- The best ways to import medical products from China
- Outsourcing opportunities in India

Pharmaceuticals in Asia: Regulatory and Safety Updates (PDF)

The global pharmaceutical industry is one of the fastest growing markets in the world, worth nearly $550 billion. The Asian region is a major contributor to this market; the pharmaceutical markets in Japan and China alone are worth approximately $80 billion. With an aging population and rising healthcare standards, there is a far greater push for more stringent pharmaceutical laws and safety regulations in the region. This presentation will cover the Asian countries, including Japan, China, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, India and Vietnam. A country-by-country look into the pharmaceutical regulatory processes, including post-market surveillance and adverse drug reaction (ADR) monitoring, will be discussed, as well as:
- Japan’s PMDA, PAL and generic drug industry
- New GMP regulations for China, Japan and Vietnam
- Pharmaceutical patent regulation updates for Taiwan, Singapore and India

Asian Medical Device Regulations (PDF)

As Asian nations are faced with aging populations, increased life expectancies, proliferation of major diseases, and higher disposable incomes, many Asian governments are looking to spend more on healthcare, particularly imported medical devices. With Asian medical device markets rapidly expanding, regulatory agencies are continuously revising and updating new medical device regulations. China’s State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) is responsible for several recent updates and revisions on regulations such as: new labeling and packaging requirements, sample testing and registration procedural issues. In Taiwan, the Executive Yuan’s Department of Health (DOH), is the regulatory agency responsible for the new and updated medical device regulations, including: registration documents for product renewal or new products, new classification requirements, Post Marketing Surveillance (PMS) regulations, and Quality System Documentation (QSD) requirements, among many other updates. This presentation discusses current and revised medical device regulations for China, Taiwan and South Korea. It also includes brief descriptions of the expanding medical device markets in Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong, India and Vietnam.

The Lure of Asia: Lower Costs and Much More

With the growth of Asian economies spurring on the expansion of Asian medical markets, medical and pharmaceutical companies in the West are increasingly looking to Asia for outsourcing. Western medical device and pharmaceutical companies have begun to outsource research and development, clinical trials, manufacturing, healthcare services and drug discovery—benefiting from lower costs and increased productivity. A high number of qualified and Western-educated engineers, scientists and technicians, from countries like China and India, are also returning to their home country to work in the growing medical industries. Although there are still small discrepancies with intellectual property (IP) protection, good manufacturing practices (GMPs), and other international standards, Asian countries are working to implement stricter regulations. This article highlights the benefits of Western companies outsourcing to Asian countries such as China, India, and Malaysia.

Asia's Cardiovascular Markets: A Large Opportunity for Medical Companies

Heart disease continues to be one of the leading causes of death in Asia. As countries like Japan, China, Taiwan and the Philippines have a greater demand for medical devices and pharmaceuticals to help treat cardiovascular disease, many foreign medical companies have entered into the Asian market. Moreover, as many of these Asian countries’ governments undergo restructuring and decrease the amount of medical coverage they provide, people are demanding more western products and are willing to pay for them, as they have often been proven more efficient than local products.

Medical Manufacturing in Asia: An Update

Despite the slowing economies, Asia still continues to offer medical device manufacturers many investment opportunities. With information and updates on China, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines and ASEAN, this article highlights the benefits and advantages of manufacturing medical devices in Asia. Asian countries offer significant tax exemptions and other investment incentives for manufacturing companies, therefore more and more foreign investors are focusing on Asia. Additionally, the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) will come into effect in 2003, providing for greater economic efficiency, productivity and competitiveness by eliminating tariff and non-tariff barriers in Asia.

Key Asian Medical Regulatory Issues

This article covers some of the changing dynamics of the regulatory scene in Asia for pharmaceuticals and medical devices, with information and updates from China, Korea, Japan and Taiwan. Drug prices and reimbursement rates have been cut as governments take steps to control healthcare expenses and shift the burden of drug costs to the people. Product registration and distribution procedures for foreign drug makers are becoming easier in order to attract investment and spur competition. New legislation has created a more transparent process for registering medical devices. Asia holds great promise for medical products as long as companies remain current on regulatory trends.

Device Regulation in Asia: An Update

Slowing economies have not stopped Asian countries from moving ahead with medical device regulatory reforms. Asian consumers demand high-quality healthcare products, making it worthwhile for American manufactures to be active in the region. Procedures and practices vary according to country. This article highlights developments and offers advice on how to deal with Asian medical regulators, including the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare (MHLW) in Japan, the State Drug Administration (SDA) in China, the Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA), the Bureau of Pharmaceutical Affairs and Department of Health (DOH) in Taiwan, and the Health Sciences Authority in Singapore. Topics include procedures for importing, licensing and registering medical devices, good clinical practice (GCP) and good manufacturing practice (GMP) guidelines, clinical trial requirements, and product classification descriptions.

On the Asian Front: For Medtech Manufacturers, the Key to Exploiting Business Opportunities in Asia Is an Understanding of Cultural Differences

The Asian market as whole is huge, comprising some 3.5 billion people – 60% of the world total. Each country, though, has its own culture, business norms, and regulations, and companies investing in the region need to be aware of the differences. This article provides information on building an effective distribution network, decision making procedures, the establishment of a joint venture or subsidiary, the art of negotiation, manufacturing practices, and gaining market access through mergers and acquisitions.

Overview of Asia, Healthcare Markets and Regulatory Issues in the Region

Despite sluggish economies in some countries, Asia still represents future growth opportunities in healthcare products. Over the next 20 years, Asian healthcare markets are expected to grow at a rate two and a half times that of the West. A rising standard of living throughout the region means patients will have the resources to acquire modern medical devices and pharmaceuticals. As the globalization of healthcare continues, regulatory practices for pharmaceuticals and medical devices will be further harmonized. This report examines emerging regulatory trends and issues in China, Japan, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand.

Asia: Medical Device Regulatory Issues (PDF)

Regulations for medical devices vary by country in Asia and are always changing. India and Malaysia, which previously did not have regulations for product registration, have recently adopted stricter and more comprehensive guidelines. In Taiwan, where registration rules were different for domestic and foreign products, the process has now been made fairer for foreign companies. The gradual adoption of international standards is taking place in Thailand, where only local standards previously applied. Countries with inadequate or unclear laws, like China, have set up new governing bodies for devices and drugs. Japan also revised its policies. Korea, however, has done little to implement promised reforms. These issues are discussed, with analyses of medical device markets, key regulatory issues, medical device registration requirements, and explanations of national regulatory bodies. Countries include China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Malaysia.

Asia after the Crisis: Prospects for Foreign Medical Device Companies

Recovering economies throughout Asia offer promising markets for foreign medical device firms as well as opportunities for local product development and manufacturing. Before the Asian financial crisis, regional medical device markets grew at double-digit rates. Patients wanted the technologically innovative, cost-effective devices that foreign medical manufactures could provide. Many Asian countries became dependent on imports. Those factors – strong demand and lack of domestic competition – remained after the crisis. Furthermore, currency depreciation made it cheaper to establish local facilities for manufacturing and product development. This article features examinations of Japan, China, Singapore, Taiwan, India, Thailand and Malaysia.

A Sampling of Medical Device Regulatory Issues in Asia

Despite Asia’s short-term economic crisis, Asia will bounce back soon and still be a dominant factor in the 21st century. Similarly, there will be many opportunities for international medical companies in Asia. Before an international medical company can sell its products in Asia, however, unique and difficult regulatory issues will need to be dealt with. This article focuses on four regulatory issues in Japan, Taiwan, and Korea. They are:
- Direct versus indirect medical device registration in Japan
- Registration and copying medical devices in Taiwan
- Medical device registration in Korea
- Classifying pharmaceutical products in Japan.

Update of the Asian Economies and Major Healthcare Trends (PDF)

Review of economic statistics and healthcare trends in China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand. Healthcare information includes total spending, physician/patient ratios, services, and private/public hospital ratios.

Device Manufacturers Shouldn't Write off Asia

Despite its currency crisis, Asia still offers medical device manufacturers opportunities. Concern has risen that Asians have lost their purchasing power, meaning a decrease in U.S. exports to Asia and an unstable economic environment in which to invest. However, not all manufacturers have fled the region. Several companies feel that the crisis has opened new opportunities for manufacturing in Southeast Asia. Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and South Korea have suffered the most from currency depreciation, but as a result, these countries are now inexpensive places to establish manufacturing bases. Manufacturing in Asia is less expensive and can be a profitable way to enter the medical technologies market there. The cost of labor and raw materials are both low. Furthermore, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Singapore and the Philippines are expected to grow between 5%-8% a year and continue to import medical products.

Infectious Disease Diagnosis and Treatment in Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia is becoming an increasingly important market for medical products, including products for diagnosing and treating infectious diseases. Pharmaceutical and diagnostics firms can take advantage of shorter regulatory procedures required in Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam by marketing products in these countries before doing so in other Asian nations. Also, early registration in a Southeast Asian country allows companies to collect real world data that can be used to register a product in countries with stricter guidelines, such as Japan. This report focuses on three diseases: HIV/AIDS, malaria, and cholera, and discusses strategies for regulatory approval and production, as well as epidemiology and pathophysiology, diagnosis, pharmacological treatment, vaccines and prevention programs. As HIV/AIDS becomes more prevalent, markets for products will grow. However, continued development and better health standards will lower the occurrence of malaria and cholera, and subsequently reduce demand for products.

Asian AIDS Markets: Growing Opportunities

The growth rate of HIV and AIDS cases in Asia is the highest in the world. The dynamic nature of the Southeast Asian markets, in conjunction with the rapid spread of HIV and AIDS has spawned a region of incredible potential for diagnostic, therapeutic, and vaccine technologies, as well as related drugs and equipment. Companies that are able to establish a presence in Southeast Asian HIV and AIDS markets will now find a much more hospitable environment. This article discusses the nature of HIV/AIDS in affected countries, including Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand, and government prevention policies. There is also information about the market for rapid diagnostic tests and therapeutic products, registration time frames, insurance reimbursement rates, and clinical trials.

Asia's Cancer Markets

Over the last ten years, Asia’s cancer rate has drastically increased, as standards of living improve and industrialization factors like, smoking, high-fat diets and pollution escalate. Asia’s governments are very aware of the cancer crisis, and in turn have begun improving their facilities to treat the deadly disease. Many countries in the region use surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy to treat cancer, which in turn requires sophisticated equipment provided by Western manufacturers. Western firms are also able to introduce cancer treatment products with vast success, as many companies have agreed to joint ventures in countries like China and Malaysia. Additionally, Western companies have realized the importance of traditional medicine in the region, and Western scientists are joining international efforts to study traditional medicine. This article discusses the cancer situation in Asia, and provides guidance on regulatory issues, intellectual property protection and business relationships in the Asian marketplaces.

Analysis of Asia's Changing Health Care Delivery

This article contains analyses of healthcare trends and policies, and the role of foreign medical companies in China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam. As Asia continues to be the fastest growing region in the world, economic and population growths have a profound effect on Asia’s healthcare needs. In order to accommodate the demand for better healthcare services, governments are shifting from subsidized and government-run facilities, to private sector facilities. Consequently, this shift takes off some of the burden of healthcare expenditure. Moreover, the standard of living is improving and more middle class patients are demanding better healthcare facilities and sophisticated medical treatment. This demand provides ample opportunity for foreign medical device and pharmaceutical manufacturers to invest in the Asian medical marketplace, as healthcare providers will need to obtain sophisticated products necessary to meet the rising standards.

Asia's Emerging Pharmaceutical Markets: A Look at China, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Malaysia

Growing healthcare reforms throughout Asia offer optimistic future prospects for multinational pharmaceutical companies. Southeast Asia has the world’s fastest growing pharmaceutical market; while China’s pharmaceutical sales have reached up to $10 billion and will continue to grow. Despite the issues of intellectual property protection, differing disease needs, chaotic drug distribution, and reimbursement and pricing concerns, foreign pharmaceutical companies are establishing joint ventures and investing millions of dollars into the region’s pharmaceutical markets. Some companies who have established joint ventures in China include Bayer, Glaxo Wellcome, and SmithKline Beecham. This article goes over the status of pharmaceutical markets in China, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Malaysia. Additional topics include the existing healthcare systems, domestic markets, and the business activity in the region’s markets.

U.S. Medical Technology Firms: To Penetrate the Asian Market, Manufacture There

As Gross Domestic Product (GDP) numbers soar in Asia, governments are eagerly spending more money on health and medical-related devices, further opening up medical markets to international investment. Foreign medical technology firms investing in Asian markets are experiencing rapid success by manufacturing their products in Asia, rather than outside the continent. Most foreign companies have established joint ventures in the region, such as Hewlett-Packard’s Medical Products Group, giving them a competitive edge over companies who manufacture elsewhere. Asian countries often offer special interest rates, tax exemptions, free-trade zones, and export incentives. This article goes over the benefits of manufacturing in Asian countries and includes success stories of joint ventures in the medical equipment and device markets, pharmaceutical markets, and health and personal care product markets.

Personal Relationships are Key to Finding an Asian Distributor

This article serves as a comprehensive guide for U.S. medical manufacturers looking to find a distributor in Asia. Topics include checking a distributor’s background, negotiating a distribution agreement, Asian legal systems, exclusive vs. nonexclusive distribution, sales targets, and other responsibilities of the distributor. Since personal relationships are the foundation for a smooth partnership with an Asian distributor, U.S. medical manufacturers should be able to acknowledge the many differences in doing business in Asia, and work with those differences to enjoy great success in the Asian medical markets.

Asia's Aging Population Creates Opportunities for U.S. Firms

As medical technologies become more widespread and advanced, multitudes of lives are prolonged by more modern and improved healthcare, particularly in Asia. Asia’s aging population has pushed governments to reform healthcare systems to accommodate this challenge. Subsequently, that has created more business opportunities for foreign medical manufacturers who can specifically address the medical needs of Asia’s elderly. Countries like Singapore, Japan and Malaysia have all opted for privatization, which provides high quality care and shorter wait times, while other countries still emphasize the public sector. This article discusses the aging population situation in Asia and the opportunities that this issue presents for foreign medical device manufacturers.

Asians Aim for the Perfect Smile

An exceptional economic boom in the Asia Pacific region has spurred a large expansion in dental markets, providing remarkable prospects for foreign manufacturers of dental equipment. Dental hygiene and cosmetics have become major consumer health priorities as many more consumers can afford additional dental procedures. Japan is Asia’s largest dental market and even with the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme covering only acute dental care, patients are willing to pay for many more non-acute dental procedures. Singapore boasts a high-technology dental system, encouraging neighbors from Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines to come seek dental service. Hong Kong sustains a prosperous import market and plays an important role as the gateway to mainland China’s dental market. This article highlights the major aspects of these three dental markets in Asia and the potential success for foreign dental equipment manufacturers in the region.

Asian Medical Products Markets Take Aim For An Economic Bull's Eye

This article is an overview of business opportunities for medical product manufacturers in the Asia Pacific region. Topics include Japan’s import requirements, registration procedures, and the keiretsu system; China’s slow decentralization of its healthcare system; the market growth of Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Korea, Singapore and Taiwan; and business relationships between Western and Asian partners.

Doing Business in Asia

A basic guide to conducting business in China, Japan and Southeast Asia. Topics include personal and business relationships, negotiating, gift-giving, body language, introductions and language and cultural differences.