The Medical Device Industry Faces Many Challenges

As we look to the future, the medical device industry faces a world of opportunity. New markets continue to emerge, especially those utilizing advances in IoT and AI to improve medical outcomes.

Much uncertainty lies ahead. New regulations and standards are constantly emerging, healthcare dynamics are evolving, reimbursement rules are becoming more complex, and companies are facing an increasingly competitive landscape. This challenging climate requires medical device companies to reduce costs, streamline their operations and innovate more quickly. Tapping solutions like QAD ERP to manage such a dizzying array of changes is always a smart move.

Global Changes for the Medical Device Industry

In recent years, changes to the global regulatory environment have burdened medical device companies. These burdens come with greater accountability to authorities and higher costs, with little or no commercial gain. The FDA’s introduction of the Unique Device Identification (UDI) system aimed to improve patient safety and track affected devices in the event of a recall, remains costly and complex to implement. Legislation impacting the medical device industry is always poised to expand across Europe and around the world, adding to the ongoing complexity of running a global operation.

Risks and Opportunities of Foreign Partnerships

Beyond the regulatory challenges that exist, market dynamics are ever changing. Emerging economies have seen huge growth. However, that growth comes with risks for foreign companies looking to capitalize. Regulatory environments often favor local device companies and foreign entities have found partnering with local firms for sales and distribution to be a potentially risky move. The threat is very real that companies will copy their devices, capture their treasured intellectual property, and become direct competitors.

Medical Device Innovation

Amid these challenges, however, there is great opportunity and technological innovation will play a large role.  From X-ray tubes to pacemakers to complex imaging equipment, the medical device industry has always embraced innovation with the goal of improving and saving lives. Advances in additive manufacturing or 3D printing will continue. Unlike traditional manufacturing, additive manufacturing does not remove material. Rather, 3D printing involves adding successive layers of material to form a 3D object. The potential for personalized medical devices, the creation of models for clinical trials, mass customization, and even 3D-printed human organs is extremely exciting.

QAD ERP: A Partner to a Medical Device Industry in Transition

While there is little doubt that the medical device industry faces an uncertain future and challenges abound, organizations will adapt, and advances in technology and manufacturing will play a role in the transformation. Choosing a solution like QAD ERP can be the one constant in this sea of change.