Ammi Expects 10 Per Cent Growth In Medical Device Export In 2014

GEORGE TOWN, June 20 (Bernama) — The Association of Malaysian Medical Industries (AMMI) expects the export of medical device to hit RM16.88 billion this year, a 10 per cent growth from RM15.35 billion in 2013

Chairman Hitendra Joshi said of the RM15.35 billion in total export last year, medical gloves dominated the medical device industry at RM10.53 billion, while catheters, syringes, needles and sutures accounted for RM1.57 billion.

“The remaining RM3.25 billion came from medical and surgical X-ray apparatus, electro-medical equipment, ophthalmic lenses, dental instruments, medical furniture and other medical instruments and appliances,” he told a press conference after a media briefing on the medical device industry outlook 2014 here Friday.

Joshi said the AMMI Industry Survey last year also recorded a high percentage of 62 per cent local content or worth RM2.1 billion, local raw materials and service sources at RM1.1 billion and RM1.0 billion respectively.

“Whenever possible, we will try to buy locally, because firstly it is in the ringgit, making it cost-effective, and secondly, it is easier to manage delivery and supply when using a local supplier.

“Nevertheless, as an industry that caters to the global market, we need to achieve global standards. Hence, imports are also necessary to support the requirements of the manufacturing sector,” he added.

Meanwhile, Joshi said that AMMI will organise a forum on the impact of the Malaysian Medical Device Regulations in collaboration with the Medical Device Authority (MDA) on June 23.

“This is to ensure smooth implementation of the Medical Device Regulations 2012, the subsidiary legislation under the Medical Device Act 2012, which will come into force on July 1,” he added.

He said AMMI has invited notable speakers and panelists who are experts in the industry to share their knowledge on the Regulations and Act 737.

“The forum serves as a platform for open discussion among the medical device industry, and the objective is to guide it towards ensuring the safety, efficacy and quality of medical devices placed in and exported from Malaysia,” Joshi added.

— BERNAMA

As seen in Bernama News, 20 June 2014