Astra Tech (Sweden) - Competitors

Astra Tech (Sweden) Competition

Now Viewing Astra Tech (Sweden)'s competition in: Medical Supplies and Devices (primary)

Recent Developments

Device Ads May Face Tougher Regulation - During a recent hearing of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, lawmakers considered whether direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising promoting new medical devices might need tighter FDA regulation. Medical experts testified that while drug ads are required to offer a balance of risk and benefit information, device ads have no such requirement. Committee Chairman Herb Kohl (D-WI) has said he may introduce legislation to make device regulation more similar to that applied to drugs.

Medical Supplies Resilient Amid Downturn - Makers of syringes, surgical tools, and other small, inexpensive medical supplies and devices may be well-positioned in the face of a recession. The ongoing need for medical care despite economic conditions will likely maintain demand for certain types of products. Analysts suggest that providers of medical supplies generally sold to hospitals don't directly depend on increasingly wary consumers.

Medical Equipment Exports, Imports Rise - US exports of medical equipment and supplies increased 10.3 percent in the first eight months of 2008 compared to the same period in 2007. Exports to the Netherlands grew the most, at 22.8 percent. Japan, Canada, Germany, and Mexico rounded out the top five markets for US medical equipment, with each seeing growth of more than 10 percent. US imports of medical equipment rose 14.7 percent; top exporters to the US include Mexico, Ireland, China, and Germany.

Competitive Landscape

Demand is driven by population demographics and advances in medical knowledge and technology. The profitability of individual companies depends on the ability to develop superior products. Large companies have economies of scale in manufacturing and R&D. Small companies can compete successfully by specializing in a particular market segment, or through technical innovation. Annual revenue per employee is about $250,000.

Full Industry Overview For Medical Supplies and Devices

Medical Supplies and Devices Industry Forecast

from Hoover's/D&B subsidiary First Research

The output of US medical instruments and supplies is forecast to grow at an annual compounded rate of 6.8 percent between 2008 and 2013.

Medical Instruments, Supplies Growth Levels

First Research forecasts are based on INFORUM forecasts that are licensed from the Interindustry Economic Research Fund, Inc. (IERF) in College Park, MD. INFORUM's "interindustry-macro" approach to modeling the economy captures the links between industries and the aggregate economy.