KARACHI: The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) has urged the manufacturers and exporters of surgical instruments to comply with the regulations and requirements of the European Union as lack of technological advancement restricts Pakistan’s potential in terms of exports.[the_ad id=”31605″]“There is a need to sensitize the exporters about the European Union requirements such as ISO Certifications, medical devices directives pertaining to quality and labeling etc.,” a report prepared by the authority noted.
Surgical instruments are tools or devices that perform such functions as cutting, dissecting, grasping, holding, retracting, or suturing. Surgical instruments facilitate a variety of procedures and operations. Rising prevalence of chronic diseases such as neurological, cardiovascular, urological, and other disorders is creating immense burden on the global health of the society.
Such increasing burden has led to the development of therapies and treatments, thereby leading to rising demand for surgical instruments. This increased demand is mainly concentrated in North America and Europe, which is mostly driven by their aging population base and growing tourism.
Europe has in place strict quality requirements for surgical instruments being imported from the world. Industry associated with the surgical sector especially SMEs do not have ISO and Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMPs) Certifications to allow their products market access to the Europe. Besides, Pakistani exporters are facing stiff competition from countries like China, Mexico etc due to cheap labor and technological innovation.
The report notes that unlike competitors, Pakistan has no renowned brands in the international market. Resultantly, the buyers for Pakistani products are mostly distributors and wholesale dealers who sell these products under their own brand names. Also companies do not have the resources to establish their own distribution networks in the European markets.
“Pakistani exporters are still manufacturing traditional products. There is a huge market for production of instruments through other materials such as plastics and synthetics,” the report said.
Europe is one of the largest markets for imports of surgical instruments from the world. The total import of surgical instruments by European Union in 2017 was Euro 16.25 billion, which was 1.08 percent higher than imports in 2016. According to estimates, the market will continue to grow with increasing demand for safe, cost and time effective solutions.
According to Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, Pakistan’s surgical goods exports clocked in at $253 million during July-February of 2018-19.
“Despite having the raw materials, skilled labor force and competencies, the surgical industry of Pakistan has not been able to fully capitalize on the potential of its exports,” the report added.
An official said the Commercial Section in Belgium had recommended a delegation of surgical instruments’ exporters to Europe to help them understand the requirements of European markets and establish direct linkages with the importers. The Commercial Section also recommended for Ministry and TDAP to organize seminars with the support of Surgical Instruments Manufacturers Association of Pakistan (SIMAP) to sensitize the surgical industry especially the small firms.
“Through public-private partnership, the surgical industry must focus on research and development, which can help in adapting to new methods of production but also develop new products that are made out of plastics and synthetic material,” the report noted.