Two sessions organized during the COA congress to better understand the trends, the key players and the way forward
BEIJING, Nov. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Chinese Orthopaedic Association (COA) 2012 Beijing Summit was held today as one of the key highlight conferences at the Seventh International Congress of COA running November 15-18. The summit convened leading professional and industry representatives to review progress on and explore avenues for advancement towards the full realization of a global strategy to meet the challenges facing the delivery of high-quality musculoskeletal care to patients across the world through CARE: Cooperation, Advocacy, Research and Education as set forth in the 2011 Beijing Declaration.
During the "International Industries" forum, jointly organized by the AdvaMed and COA, and moderated by Mr. David Dvorak, Chairman of AdvaMed and President and CEO of Zimmer Holdings, Inc. and Prof. WANG Yan, COA President, representatives from government, industry and healthcare profession deliberated on health care policy trends and issues in a timely manner against the duel backdrop of continued economic slowdown and growing health burden faced by countries around the world. Discussions centered on the impact of regulatory and reimbursement policies and systems on the delivery of high-quality orthopaedic care to patients in China and emerging markets. Speakers included Mr. WANG Lan Ming, SFDA Deputy Director General as well as surgeons from Brazil, India, Turkey, and South Africa
Speaking on the topics of regulation, reimbursement and other policy challenges, Mr. Dvorak said, "As citizens in emerging markets increasingly seek higher quality health care solutions, governments are faced with the challenge of improving access to care, while preserving the quality of health care solutions delivered. We believe international medical device companies can greatly assist in these efforts by sharing best practices concerning safety and quality. Recognizing the great potential of China and other emerging markets, we will continue to invest in research and development to ensure the solutions we are providing are tailored to meet the unique needs and expectations of patients locally."
Musculoskeletal diseases and its related disease burden are on the rise in China and in many other emerging markets due in great part to lifestyle changes and an aging population. According to the International Osteoporosis Foundation, in China, osteoporosis currently affects more than 69.4 million Chinese over age 50 and causes some 687,000 hip fractures each year. The cost of treating hip fractures is expected to exceed 12.5 billion USD in 2020. By 2050, that amount will increase more than twenty-fold to 264.7 billion USD.
In closing the Summit, Prof. Wang set up the way forward, "It is clear today that we have achieved discernable tangible progress towards our goal of uniting resources and expertise to together advance orthopaedic care for patients worldwide. This morning, we witnessed the official launch of the World Orthopaedic Alliance (WOA), a concrete mechanism dedicated to the advancement of high-quality musculoskeletal care in developing countries. This afternoon, during the CEO Forum, we listened to representatives of leading international and Chinese domestic orthopaedic device manufacturers openly trade ideas on potential synergies and opportunities for joint advancement. Our work does not stop here. It is our responsibility as health care professionals, as product providers to continue engagement, to turn these hypotheticals into reality and ensure all patients have access to high-quality orthopaedic care, care that allows them to regain mobility and gain back life."
About Zimmer
Founded in 1927 and headquartered in Warsaw, Indiana, Zimmer designs, develops, manufactures and markets orthopaedic reconstructive, spinal and trauma devices, dental implants, and related surgical products. Zimmer has operations in more than 25 countries around the world and sells products in more than 100 countries. Zimmer's 2011 sales were approximately $4.5 billion. The Company is supported by the efforts of more than 9,000 employees worldwide.
For more information, please visit our website at www.zimmer.com.
About COA
Chinese Orthopaedic Association (COA) is one of the specialty societies under Chinese Medical Association. Aiming at promoting scientific exchange, providing orthopaedic education, and improving the orthopaedic health service level, COA was founded in 1980 in Tianjin at its first national meeting. With a registered membership of more than 30,000 orthopaedic surgeons out of 130,000 in total, the COA is the largest and most influential orthopaedic society in China.
About AdvaMed
AdvaMed advocates for a legal, regulatory and economic environment that advances global health care by assuring worldwide patient access to the benefits of medical technology. We promote policies that foster the highest ethical standards, rapid product approvals, appropriate reimbursement, and access to international markets.
