The impact of the recession has increased concern over healthcare expenditure; governments are focusing on improving cost efficiency by purchasing products with the best features at the lowest price. As a result, purchasers are now opting for products from low-cost manufacturers that promise high quality; for example, revenues for high-end patient monitors in Russia fell by more than 50%.

An example in point of the penetration of products from Chinese manufacturers is Mindray (Shenzhen, China), which in 2009 achieved an 8% share of the patient monitor devices market in Eastern Europe. Mindray's market penetration was further enhanced by the acquisition of the Datascope Corporation patient monitoring business, adding significant direct sales and service capabilities on the ground in the United States and Europe. In order to remain competitive, manufacturers of high-end brands are starting to launch "value” product ranges, increasing competition between suppliers and thus driving prices down even further.

"There are a number of ‘me too' products appearing, most notably from manufacturers from the Asia-Pacific region. Low-end manufacturers are capturing sales in cost-sensitive markets that would otherwise be unable to afford the premium brand products,” said Kelly Barritt, a market research analyst at InMedica.

InMedica estimates that the total Eastern European market for patient monitor devices was worth EUR 52.4 million in 2009.

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