Medical Devices ASEAN 2018 drives Thailand’s ambition to become the medical hub of Asia

Published : 2018-06-15

IMPACT Exhibition Management Co., Ltd. (“IMPACT”), strongly supported by the Ministry of Public Health, as well as numerous medical and healthcare related, presents Medical Devices ASEAN 2018 (“MDA 2018”) - the international exhibition and academic congress on medical devices, technologies, services and general healthcare. This trade exhibition features a comprehensive range of products and services, including general surgery; orthopedic surgery and rehabilitation medicine; radiology and diagnostic imaging; medical laboratory; IT in healthcare; and medical instruments and consumables. More than 150 exhibitors and 4,000 medical and healthcare professionals are expected to attend the three-day event. The event will be held from 11 to 13 July 2018, at hall 1-2, IMPACT Exhibition Center, Bangkok, Thailand.

The medical devices and equipment industry is among the New S-Curve targeted industries, established by the government to strengthen Thailand’s competitive potential in becoming the “Medical Hub of Asia” and a medical devices export center; in compliance with the Thailand 4.0 policy, in which the market for medical devices is expected to grow at 8.5 to 10% per year.

Comprehensive information and advice by Ministry of Public Health at MDA 2018
Ms. Korrapat Trisarnsri, Director of Medical Device Control Division for Food and Drug Administration, Ministry of Public Health, said “The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), with the role of regulating, monitoring and overseeing medical devices to meet quality, safety and efficacy as standards in accordance with international laws, has a mission to promote and enhance international competitiveness of all medical device stakeholders and non-government parties, including manufacturers, dealers and distributors, in Thailand. At MDA 2018, FDA will be offering comprehensive information and advice to researchers, innovators and inventors on how to have their innovations and products legally approved by the FDA: from product testing/diagnosis; establishment registration; product registration and licensing via e-submission system; assembling and submission of the required information as evidence of conformity of medical device through the Common Submission Dossier Template (CSDT) advertising and promotion guidance; to exporting medical devices. These activities aim to strengthen the capability of medical device entrepreneurs in manufacturing, supplying, exporting or importing medical devices, as well as to enhance the potential of medical and healthcare professionals; thus, prepping Thailand to become the medical hub of Asia.”    

Mr. Siri Srimanorot, Director, Radiation and Medical Devices Division, Medical Sciences Department, Ministry of Public Health, said “The Department of Medical Sciences will be participating in MDA 2018, in the consultancy clinic dedicated to provide guidance for international standard medical devices testing services by recognized accredited testing laboratories, such as ISO/IEC 17025 or ISO 15189, for analysis and testing of physical properties, chemical properties, microbiology, and compatibility; as well as blood borne disease diagnostic kits, including HIV diagnosis kits, Hepatitis B diagnosis kits and Hepatitis C Virus diagnostic kits. The test results are required for the application of the Certificate of Manufacture, Import Certificate and Free Sales Certificate for medical devices from the FDA or for quality assurance of the product, such as surgical gloves, blood bag, infusion tube, which is available at no cost.”

Medical Devices: a new investment opportunity in Thailand
Ms. Krongkanoke Managitjonggol, Director of Industrial Linkage Development Division, Thailand Board of Investment (BOI), stated that “BOI has the core roles and responsibilities in promoting valuable investment with both tax incentives and non-tax incentives through BOI Investment Promotion Policies; of which include promoting medical devices industry, being one of the New S-Curve targeted industries, to position Thailand as the medical hub of the region. Thailand has a strength with an excellent medical foundation that includes world-class medical facilities, premium healthcare services at highly competitive prices, qualified healthcare specialists and various internationally accredited medical facilities. Holding onto the mission of promoting investment that helps enhance national competitiveness in the medical devices industry and to uncover the potential of Thai medical device industry to the international exhibitors, BOI will be hosting Medical Industry Networking at MDA 2018. The objective is to build networks between investors; entrepreneurs, both local and international; and public organizations related to medical devices industry to develop knowledge and understanding, and create investment concentration in accordance with regional potential, as well as push Thailand forward to become the medical hub of Asia.”

MDA 2018 in response to Thailand 4.0
Mr. Preecha Bhandtivej, President, Thai Medical Device Technology Industry Association (“THAIMED”), said that “THAIMED was established with the main objective of assembling all businesses related to medical devices, including manufacturers, suppliers, dealers and distributors in the Thai medical devices industry; following Thailand 4.0's strategic policy of including medical device in the S-Curve, a value-based economic model driven by innovation, technology, and high-value trade and services. MDA 2018 serves as a platform to bring together the producers, distributers, buyers, and medical professionals, to develop business networks; to generate new ideas and innovations; and to leverage the business. THAIMED will also be speaking on the topic, ‘The Future Exploration of Forthcoming Challenges and New Possibilities for Thailand's Medical Devices Industry’ to enhance potential of the medical device stakeholders.”

MDA 2018 – the all-encompassing trade platform

Mr. Loy Joon How, General Manager, IMPACT, said that “MDA 2018 offers an all-encompassing trade platform for the manufacturers, suppliers, dealers and distributors involved in the medical device industry to showcase their products. We are expecting more than 150 companies and brands from across the world, including America, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan. In addition, the ‘MDA Congress’, in collaboration with the Royal College of Orthopaedic Surgeons of Thailand; the Radiological Society of Thailand; the Nurses' Association of Thailand; Association of Medical Technologists of Thailand; Thai Medical Informatics Association; and Thai Association for Medical Instrumentation, is a series of academic conferences held alongside MDA 2018, to enhance and develop the potential of medical and healthcare professionals. Some of these conferences also provide credits for the continuing professional development of healthcare professionals.”

For more information, please visit www.medicaldevicesasean.com