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.

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