articles 1 to 12 of 12
Reaching Out to Africa's Poorest Heart Patients with Mobile Cardiology
Cameroonian inventor Arthur Zang developed the Cardiopad, a mobile tablet that can perform ECGs, to enable better medical attention for rural heart patients in his country. Most simply don't get the help they need, Zang says, because of a shortage of cardiologists, most of whom can only be found in the two largest cities. "In Cameroon, there are fewer than 40 cardiologists for more than 20 million inhabitants," Zang says.
Published: April 30, 2013
What's Driving China's Biopharmaceutical Boom?
One of seven priority industries championed by China's 12th Five-Year Plan, China's biopharmaceutical sector is on the go. Once predominantly focused on producing generics and performing contract research for Western companies, the industry is developing at a rapid clip. Spurred by generous government investment and the return of thousands of China-born, Western-trained researchers and managers, more Chinese companies are now engaging in new drug discovery, and foreign pharmaceutical companies are clamoring to set up partnerships with them. However, the industry is still in its early days, experts note, and it has a lot of catching up to do when it comes to innovation and challenging global competition.
Published: April 02, 2013
Argentina's Burgeoning Biotech Sector Aspires to Be a Major Player
Biofuels, animal cloning, and genetically modified seeds for crops and biopharmaceuticals are just some of the developments in biotechnology that have been achieved by Argentina over the past 40 years. Observers say the country has enough natural, scientific and technological resources to become a major player and high-value added exporter in the sector. However, some obstacles are preventing faster development, such as a shortage of investments and a lack of regulation.
Published: April 02, 2012
Harvard's Clayton Christensen: Can Medical Innovation in Developing Countries Disrupt the U.S. Healthcare System?
The Middle East, along with Asia and Africa, are skipping the personal computer era and moving directly to the mobile and tablet age. In a decade, access to voice and data in the world's least developed countries has gone from an average of 1.2% to nearly 30%. Because of such growth, Harvard professor Clayton Christensen tells Arabic Knowledge@Wharton that these regions are poised to create innovations that will disrupt industries, such as healthcare, in developed nations. The challenge for them is whether they can see those innovations advance to a global stage.
Published: February 20, 2012
Health Diplomacy: In Africa, China's Soft Power Provides a Healing Touch
Sometimes dubbed "health diplomacy," China has been offering much-needed medical aid to African countries for over half a century as a soft power strategy to strengthen bonds with African governments. It has paved the way for Chinese companies to do business in Africa and profit. The goodwill generated by China's medical aid has also translated into political support, as the Chinese government has been able to influence the way African countries have supported it on the international stage, including in the United Nations and the World Trade Organization.
Published: November 22, 2011
Healthy Business: Will Medical Tourism Be India's Next Big Industry?
U.S. President Barack Obama recently encouraged Americans to use the country's health care system for their operations and procedures, instead of going to India and Mexico. But for many, medical tourism is not a matter of choice: They simply cannot afford treatment in the U.S., experts point out. In India, meanwhile, the medical tourism industry is booming, even as controversies erupt over quality and environmental issues.
Published: June 28, 2011
Enlisting Top Providers, Abu Dhabi Transitions to a Private Health Care Model
Once, the United Arab Emirates and its oil-rich neighbors in the Gulf offered free public health insurance for citizens, but the economic and staffing burden of generous public medical care has proven unsustainable. As a result, many Gulf countries are moving to the private health care model, and Abu Dhabi is viewed as a leader in health care reform in the region, pushing the envelope in aggressive, strategic steps. Its efforts have attracted a number of leading health care providers, including The Cleveland Clinic.
Published: June 26, 2011
James Nakagawa of Mobile Healthcare: 'Entrepreneurship Is about Sacrifice'
James Nakagawa never studied medicine, but his curiosity helped him to develop Lifewatcher, an innovative tool that represents the future of health care management. Much of his innovation, he says, derives from being stubborn, being willing to explore an idea, and understanding how things work. Speaking to Arabic Knowledge@Wharton, Nakagawa discusses his experiences as an entrepreneur in the health care industry, the lessons in leadership he gained from launching companies, and the sacrifices one must make to establish a venture.
Published: May 17, 2011
A New Prescription: Indian Pharma Turns to the Middle East
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) markets have traditionally been a low priority for Indian drug makers. But with governments focusing on health care and the generic market seeing double-digit growth, Indian pharma has a new interest in the region. In order to be successful, though, they will have to be patient with slow growth and contend with regulatory barriers, a highly fragmented market, government support for local firms, and a historical bias towards western firms.
Published: June 29, 2010
Cure for an Ailing Industry? Pharma Multinationals Seek a Panacea in Indian Acquisitions
A few years ago, Indian pharmaceutical companies seemed to be on the takeover trail. But if recent headlines are any indication, the same firms are now targets for multinational suitors. According to some industry experts, an increasing number of acquisitions by multinational companies (MNCs) is almost certain once valuations improve -- whether for diversification, exposure to emerging markets or other purposes. Meanwhile, questions concerning the impact of the growing presence of MNCs in the Indian health care market -- particularly on drug affordability -- loom large.
Published: February 01, 2010
Lean Health Care: Lower Costs, Better Outcomes
Could lean processes transform the U.S. health care system, with its spiraling costs and inconsistent quality? The industry's growing problems are creating a sense of urgency and a strong mandate for change. Lean's focus on cutting costs, increasing efficiency, streamlining processes, and improving patient outcomes may be just the prescription for this ailing sector.
Published: February 01, 2010
Rx for the Pharmaceutical Industry: Focus on Innovation, Not Marketing
The good news for the pharmaceutical industry is that, short-term, it may emerge as a winner in the health care reform battle as new customers enter the system and price protections remain in force. The bad news is that while big pharma has used increasingly large megamergers to support its reliance on blockbuster products, it still faces the long-term need to develop fundamentally new business models to cope with its most significant problem -- a failure to come up with new treatments, according to Wharton faculty.
Published: February 01, 2010
