Turnover of German medical technology companies grows 3.8 %
4 September 2006 Berlin, Germany. The turnover of the German Medical
Technology Association’s (BVMed) membership, which exceeds 210 companies,
has shown a slight improvement in the first half of 2006. The turnover
statistics reported to BVMed showed a rise of 3.8%, compared with the same
period last year. At the same point in 2005, this growth registered 2.9%.
Turnover in the ostomy and incontinence care sector rose by an average
amount. The disappointing figures realized in 2004/5 as a consequence of the
German healthcare reform were improved on, resulting in a slight rise of
2.5%. Better development was seen in the sub-sectors of “single-use surgical
materials” (up 3.3%) and “single-use devices for intensive medicine” (up
5.5%). However, the figures for the second quarter were severely damaged by
the doctors’ strike. The bandaging sector even experienced a fall of 1.4%.
BVMed believes that the pressure on prices has grown, affected mainly by the
increased strain on hospital budgets and political intervention in the
medical technical aids sectors. Furthermore, companies are experiencing
serious problems on the costs side as a result of rising raw materials
prices — particularly crude-oil based preliminary products — and increasing
energy prices. Therefore profit margins for BVMed member companies remain
under pressure. To top
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