Techno-Med
A Special Feature on Medical Equipment Technology

The famous five medical equipment manufacturers

The recently released CII-Mckinsey report says that the total health care market in India is expected to grow to Rs 200,000 crore by 2012, increasing the GDP from 5.2 per cent to 8.5 per cent by 2012. A major chunk of the contribution to this spiralling growth would come from the Rs 1,500-crore medical equipment manufactures, a segment that is growing at a significant rate of 20 per cent annually.

India is being perceived as a fertile ground by the domestic manufacturers and the MNCs alike. The medical equipment market is at a critical juncture. In the last couple of years, increased awarenes on health among Indian consumers, proliferation of nursing homes and mushrooming of corporate hospitals, lack of standardisation of medical equipment, and the evergrowing demands from the burgeoning population have provided ample opportunities to the indigenous manufacturers and multinational corporations. However, it is only a handful of brands which continue to steal the show. Rita Dutta and Nidhi Srivastava profile the top five medical equipment manufacturers in India and narrate the visions of the head honchos.

“Every second catherisation done in world is on a Philips system”

The Netherlands-based Philips Medical Systems’s Indian subsidiaryhas a Dutch as the managing director. The 58-year old Aris Bruin, has been a globe- trotter, being posted at Saudi Arabia, United States of America, Indonesia, Zimbabwe, Jordan, Lebanon and Netherlands, ever since he started out in 1964 as an electronic design enginee at Philips Research Laboratories, Netherlands. He took charge of the India operations two years ago with an aim to sustain the growth of Philips Medical Systems India Ltd.

Royal Philips Electronics’ liaison with healthcare dates back to 1896, when the first X-Ray tube was made by Dr Rontgen.

Philip Medical Systems, a hundred per cent subsidiary of Royal Philips Electronics, is today a leading supplier of diagnostic imaging systems and related services all over the world, represented in more than 100 countries and employing more than 22,000 people, 16 manufacturing sites, sales and service operations in 63 countries.

Recently, PMS earned the highest ratings in 15 out of 26 categories among eight medical technology companies, in the October 2002 Market Outlook Reports issued by MD Buyline, an independent healthcare research company.

To meet the challenges of a changing care environment, PMS has worked out a synergy with Agilent Technologies’ former Healthcare Solutions Group, ADAC laboratories, ATL Ultrasound and Marconi’s former Medical Systems.

Can you tell us about the product range of PMS?

PMS delivers one of the world’s most robust portfolios of medical systems for fast and accurate diagnosis and treatment. We are now leading in cardiology, X-ray, cardiovascular and general ultrasound, nuclear medicine , patient monitoring and resuscitation, critical care IT and cardiac IT, PET, radiation therapy planning and catherization labs.

As healthcare extends beyond traditional settings and patients assume a more active role, technology must meet those needs. Philips has begun to answer with automated external defibrilators (AEDS) that can be found in airports, airlines and other public settings, lessening the threat of sudden cardiac arrest. Philips HPS comprises clinical, business and information technology experts, focused on building integrated solutions to improve patient outcomes and reduce the operational costs of healthcare delivery. HPS offers end to end clinical information solutions in acute care, cardiology and e-Care through packaged application services and customs solutions.

How did PMS manage to become a name to reckon with in the medical equipment market?

Philips Medical Systems is dedicated to empowering healthcare providers to provide better and faster care for patients. PMS innovative products can be found anywhere in the hospitals and or clinician’s office.

How has the acquisition of Agilent Technologies, ADAC laboratories, ATL Ultrasound and Marconi helped PMS?

PMS has mobilized its new global resources around the mission to deliver a sound long-term investment for customers, partners, suppliers, employees and shareholders. It has enriched our portfolio and provided invaluable technology. The implications in the Indian market are that PMS is now number one player in high-end critical and cardiac monitoring as well a high-end cardiac-radiology colour dopplers.

Can you give an overview of Philips Medical System India Limited?

PMSIL has a presence for over 80 years, with at present around 15 per cent market share. It has four main branches in the metros and twelve others outside these. As part of the global Philips R&D, Philips does have it’s Philips Design Centre in Pune and Philips Software Centre in Bangalore.

Do you assemble some products in India?

PMS products are imported, in few cases some local value addition is done.

How has the recently increased import duty on medical equipment affected PS business in India?

Such events eventually affect the healthcare services to the public in general. Business does get somehow affected, but nevertheless the market readjusts itself.

How important is aesthetics of product design to PMS?

Workflow, ease of use and patient comfort, and hence aesthetics is of high priority in our system design. More than several international design awards won by PMS.

Where does consumer satisfaction feature in the company policy?

At the topmost priority, aiming to delight our customers. Among others this is reflected in; a) our product designs, and b) recognition world wide as the company in providing the best customer services (Frost & Sullivan).

Is there any particular division that could highlight as an area where you expect the most significant opportunity for growth?

Cardiac Care under our heartcare program. Every second catherisation done in world is on a Philips system, combined with this is the strong base of world class cardiac monitoring and resuscitation systems and world class cardiac dopplers and nuclear medicine systems. With growing incidence of cardiac diseases, the heartcare program will be one of the most significant.

What goals have you set for the company in the years to come?

To become the number one company in providing healthcare solutions with clinical excellence, without compromise in healthcare. The power of Philips’ collective talent will fuel unprecedented, innovative solutions to meet some of healthcare’s key challenges and will bring new healthcare technology to market quickly by combing modalities from different technologies, a pioneering approach that many believe will enhance clinical diagnosis and treatment, reduce time and increase patient comfort.

Continued ...