As part of a larger reorganization and reform effort, in January 2001 Japan’s Ministry of Health and Welfare and Ministry of Labor merged, creating the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare (MHLW). Among other things, the agency’s mandate includes the promotion of... Read More
After India's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO), consumer goods imports and free imports greatly increased, allowing the market to slowly open up to foreign investment and medical products. This article covers the major features of the market, law and policy... Read More
Less than two years ago, the Korean government significantly revamped rules governing the prescription and sale of pharmaceuticals in that country. Prior to the reform, distinct roles between those who prescribed and sold drugs were not clearly defined. Doctors and pharmacists could... Read More
Taiwan invested over NT$20 billion (US$571 million) in biotechnology in 2001, up over 100 percent compared to 2000. Premier Chang Chun-hsiung announced last year that Taiwan’s government plans to increase its NT$10 billion (US$285.5 million) annual investment in biotechnology by 25 percent... Read More
The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) recently passed a new foreign reference pricing policy for medical equipment that will take effect on April 1, 2002. The decision has sparked controversy, as many U.S. observers believe the new policy violates... Read More
Medical equipment sales in India continue to reach new heights, driven by increased demand for healthcare services. This demand is driven in turn by rising middle-class incomes and increased health consciousness among India’s people. In response, the public healthcare sector is improving... Read More
Taiwan’s Quality System Documentation (QSD) system requires device manufacturers to pass a “paper audit” before medical devices can be registered in that country. QSD is part of Taiwan’s Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) system, implemented for medical devices in early 1999. Under Taiwan’s... Read More
Despite U.S. companies’ relative success in the Japanese medical device and pharmaceuticals markets, over-regulation has continued to hamper U.S. cutting edge products’ access to Japan’s market. This hurts both U.S. manufacturers and Japanese citizens, who are denied access to innovative, cost-effective, life-saving... Read More
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... Read More
China’s $22.5 billion pharmaceutical market is the second largest in Asia, after Japan, and foreign drug imports and pharmaceutical investment in China will likely increase as China enters the WTO. Anticipating an influx of foreign pharmaceuticals, the Chinese government established the State... Read More