Article
Medical Devices

U.S. Commercial Service expertise can help US firms succeed in the global medical device market

May 8, 2017
This blog was authored by U.S. Commercial Service Global Healthcare Team Leader September Secrist. The U.S. Commercial Service is the export promotion arm of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration.

The worldwide medical device market is expected to reach $398 billion in 2017, and the U.S. Commercial Service (CS) can help U.S. firms take advantage of this huge export potential.  Exporting helps U.S. medical device companies increase sales, maintain or increase jobs and weather economic changes, but many firms think they are too small or that exporting is too complicated.

Approximately 80 percent of U.S. medical device firms are small and medium-sized businesses. Many are already exporting, but there is room to increase both the number of exporting firms as well as the number of markets they are selling to, and the CS Global Healthcare Team can help on both counts. Healthcare Team members have the industry expertise to:

  • Ask the right questions
  • Identify the best international markets for healthcare products and services
  • Recommend appropriate trade shows to attend
  • Advise on important issues such as standards and intellectual property protection

We recently launched a two-level specialist program to ensure that our international trade specialists continue to develop top-notch skills and industry expertise to help U.S. healthcare firms succeed in global markets.

The first level, “Healthcare Specialist,” designates a broad understanding of the sector, including major opportunities, challenges and the ability to effectively counsel any healthcare client. Koreen Grube (CS Milwaukee), Taylor Little (CS New Hampshire) and Michelle Ouellette (CS Boston) are the first three team members who have achieved the “Healthcare Specialist” designation.

The second level, “National Expert,” designates an in-depth expertise in one of several healthcare sub-sectors. William Lawton (CS Ft. Lauderdale) is the first team member to achieve “National Expert” recognition and his area of specialization is the death care sector.

Our National Expert, three Healthcare Specialists, and 75 team members throughout the United States are ready to assist U.S. healthcare firms in developing export strategies to go global. To learn more about the Team and how we can help your firm succeed in international markets, please visit the Global Healthcare Team website.

The Global Healthcare Team also offers the following resources to educate exporters about market opportunities and trends for a variety of healthcare-related products and services:

Health Technologies Resource Guide: http://2016.export.gov/industry/health/healthcareresourceguide/index.asp

Top Markets Series Reports:

Medical Devices http://trade.gov/topmarkets/medical-devices.asp

Pharmaceuticals http://trade.gov/topmarkets/pharmaceuticals.asp

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