2015年-普华永道全球_Asia-Pacific_Health_Industries_Newsletter__-_April_2015_24页_1mb

Asia-Pacific Health Industries Newsletter Summary (Issue 13, April 2015)

Core Content

This issue of the Asia-Pacific Health Industries Newsletter provides a comprehensive overview of recent developments in the health industries across the region, focusing on pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, diagnostics, and healthcare services. It highlights the evolving regulatory, economic, and social landscapes in key markets such as Taiwan, Singapore, and Australia, with insights from PwC's industry specialists.

Main Topics and Key Information

1. Health Industries Updates: Taiwan

• Healthcare System Overview: Taiwan has a progressive healthcare system with a single-payer national health insurance (NHI) scheme, which offers universal coverage and high public satisfaction.
• Healthcare Expenditure: Increased from US$14.4bn in 1995 to US$32.4bn in 2013, representing 6-7% of GDP, which is lower than the OECD average.
• Challenges:
  • Financial strains due to an aging population and rising costs.
  • No formal gatekeeper system leading to overuse of services.
  • Cost-containment policies affecting pricing.
• Opportunities:
  • Growing demand for long-term care due to demographic changes.
  • Promotion of medical tourism, especially from China.
  • Government initiatives to support biotech, pharma, and medical devices.
• Market Growth:
  • Biotech, pharma, and medical device industries have seen significant growth.
  • Combined domestic market demand reached US$13bn in 2013.
  • The biotech sector has grown from US$3.3bn in 2009 to US$3.3bn in 2013, with a CAGR of 7.9% for medical devices and 5.8% for pharma.
  • The government is working on establishing a long-term care system and promoting the development of a National Biotechnology Research Park.

2. Healthcare in South East Asia

• Common Trends:
  • Increasing population aging and a shift from infectious to chronic diseases.
  • High demand for hospital services, with bed occupancy rates exceeding 85%, leading to negative impacts on patient safety.
• Future Outlook:
  • Need for systemic shifts away from hospital-centric models to integrated healthcare systems.
  • Emphasis on home and community-based care, especially for the elderly and chronic disease patients.
  • Integration of allied health professionals to support patients in returning home.

3. Health Economics: Australia

• Project Overview:
  • PwC supported the Fred Hollows Foundation in its efforts to eliminate avoidable blindness.
  • Four reports were developed to highlight the economic and social benefits of such initiatives.
• Results:
  • Eliminating avoidable blindness generates substantial benefits, far exceeding the investment required.
  • Global benefits are estimated at US$1,115.4bn over 2011-2020, with a benefit cost ratio of 2.8 times the cost.
  • In developing countries, the benefit cost ratio is even higher at 4.1 times the cost, with benefits estimated at US$522.6bn.

4. Compliance: Singapore

• Anti-Bribery and Corruption Trends:
  • Increasing transparency and anti-bribery measures in the pharmaceutical and life sciences industries.
  • These trends are part of global efforts to combat Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS).

5. People & Change

• Japan:
  • Use of data analytics to predict attrition rates in the pharmaceutical industry.
• Singapore:
  • Talent management challenges in the life sciences sector.

6. Taxation

• Japan:
  • 2015 tax reform proposals aimed at improving the business environment.
• Singapore:
  • Updates on recent taxation proposals, reflecting evolving economic policies.

7. Pricing and Reimbursement

• Australia:
  • Second wave of Simplified Price Disclosure (SPD) cuts.
• China:
  • Government is giving the market more freedom in the healthcare system.
• India:
  • Increase in foreign direct investment in the insurance sector.
  • Hospitals are full, but margins are low.
• Singapore:
  • Updates on pricing and reimbursement strategies.

8. PwC Observations

• Market Trends:
  • Foreign companies are forming alliances with Taiwanese firms to leverage their R&D and manufacturing capabilities.
  • Taiwan is a strategic bridge to the Chinese market due to the ECFA agreement.
• Integration in Healthcare:
  • PwC emphasizes the need for integrated healthcare systems in South East Asia, moving beyond hospital-centric models.
  • Integration can improve accessibility, safety, and quality of care.

Conclusion

The Asia-Pacific health industries are undergoing significant transformation due to aging populations, rising costs, and shifting disease patterns. Regulatory changes, innovation, and international collaboration are key drivers for sustainable growth and improved healthcare delivery. PwC's insights highlight the importance of adapting to these changes and exploring new opportunities in the region, particularly in the areas of integrated care, medical tourism, and cross-border partnerships.