A member contacted me representing a large Saudi Arabian organization looking to bring the very best medical technology to the country.

He says they are looking to invest, distribute, and basically “you name it.”

What questions should I ask him? What advice should I tell him? Do you have an interest in the Middle East?

Any direction appreciated; I’m out of my element here but if it’s real, it could be a great connection for the group.

KANTHA RAO.K.V.N.L.
Regional Sales Manager at M/s.MIRACLUS ORTHOTECH PVT LTD Covering AP;TELANGANA,KARNATAKA,KERALA,TAMILNADU & PONDICHERRY
Hi, Joe
it would be better to know more about Regulations of Saudi Arabia Govt ? According to me this market not explored. You can think of getting in. if further, i will support you through my in SOUDI ARABIA & UAE.

David Burnett
Radiologic Technologist
What is not to love about a new and blossoming market, If any one is looking for a team member for a cardiac cath-lab.. Consider me on board! . .

David Burnett B.S. ARRT RT R CA. (Fluoro)

Norm Fenton
Sport and Industry Safety Devices
clearly the Middle East poses a lot of vocational and environmental concerns related to heat induced illness. we manufacture and market a device that monitors inner core temperatures of occupational and environmental workers. we have approached oil workers, and other vocational occupational companies in the Middle East to no avail.

I sense that they believe they have gone along this far with “X” amount of heat induced injuries and accept it as the norm.

the old adage “how much is one life worth” seems to demonstrate that that life is not worth the cost of prevention in the Middle East.

I would love to have somebody correct me on this point. I would welcome it.

Mahmoud Morshed
Healthcare Solutions
ULTIMARAD SOLUTIONS
[http://ultimarad.com|leo://plh/http%3A*3*3ultimarad%2Ecom/3Lcv?_t=tracking_disc]
Radiology imaging solution provider (PACS Vendor)
Cairo-Egypt

Hashem Diab
Sr Quality Engineer at ALKU
Hi Joe,
I work in project management in the the US specifically in the design and manufacture of medical devices. I think the Arabs of the Middle East want to step up and get into the Medical Device Industry. Its about time! You can become a trailblazer in the Middle East. Get them to invest in creating local Arab medical device start ups.They can partner well with the USA and the EU. Let me know if you need practical “hands on” help.

Burt Houtz, PMP
Communications I Strategic Planning I Program Management
Are diagnostic test specimens from throughout the country easily and rapidly obtained in KSA?

Muhaymin Atih
QA/QC, Regulatory Affair
hi joe and every one….we are currently on the initial phase of the project….medical device manufacturing company….any collaboration is welcome. technical know how or technology transfer is much welcome….we are building in a 30,000sqm lot area. in riyadh ksa….medical device manufacturing has huge potential…..considering the plastic raw materials….and the booming healthcare program of the gov’t.

Aleta Hodge
CEO at ASH Consulting LLC
I am interested in learning more about their medical writing needs for regulatory and marketing for new product launches, medical devices and educational training materials for physicians and patients. Innovation + Education = Successful Product . I am also interested in women’s health products (pharmaceuticals and medical devices). Please send emails to ahodge@ashconsult5.com.

Maureen Mayer
Managing Partner at the MDMC group
I have worked with the folks in the Middle East and something that is needed and my company had tried to provide is better healthcare and better access to the US and the doctors we have. Technology that is also need is better patient engagement via the web for follow up for those in the middle east that have surgery and or medical events in the west and then need follow up at home.

Ashraf Abukhalaf
Director, Procurement and Sales
We also have a UK partner who handles products from needed for that region that are manufactured in UK and Germany.

Ashraf Abukhalaf
Director, Procurement and Sales
Hi Guys:

Our company, AK GLOBAL MED, is experienced in selling laboratory equipment and supplies to Middle East and Africa especially in the research and scientific areas. We have very good experience selling especially to Saudi Arabia, where we take care of the whole cycle starting from purchasing the products all the way to delivering it to the customers door. We sell general laboratory equipment, water testing equipment, liquid handling supplies, cell culture glassware and plasticware, fine chemicals, solvents, filter papers, syringe filters etc.. All our vendors are major US manufacturers/distributor including Thermo Fisher, Fisher Scientific, Labnet, VWR, Cole Parmer, Sigma Aldrich, Millipore, Wheaton, Whatman, Hach, Lamotte, Horiba, Eppendorf, Corning, Axygen, Etc..

Please let us know if we can be of assistance. My email is ashraf@akglobalmed.com.

Jim Kubiak
Director, Global Accounts at Integer Holdings Corp. (formerly Greatbatch Medical)
Great discussion – point to be made here is if you are looking to distribute products out of the US you should look into Trade Credit insurance to cover your risk of not getting paid. This will allow you to extend terms and cover your liability. It’s inexpensive and can cover many international territories – and it’s US Govt backed – Import-Export Bank of the US. I can direct you if you need help.

Abir TADMOURI
HEOR senior lead
Hi Joe and group,
I have been working for a while on a this issue and this link may help you getting an idea about the current situation regarding the MDs in ME, including KSA and UAE.

[http://clinsearch.net/dev/md_middle_east.html|leo://plh/http%3A*3*3clinsearch%2Enet*3dev*3md_middle_east%2Ehtml/HDOF?_t=tracking_disc]

I am convinced that these countries are eager to bring the very best medical technology to their markets. I think that the first thing you should ask about is the regulatory issues and regulatory authorities evaluating the MD access to market. Are CE mark or FDA approval enough? or more clinical evidence should be submitted ?
Second key issue is the reimbursement strategies. May be you should ask about the reimbursement process in KSA: is it like the european countries centralized and negotiated with one governmental authority or like the american system relying on KOL’s and coverage decisions from Medicare and commercial payers.
I hope this was helpful. Abir.

Joe Hage
🔥 Find me at MedicalDevicesGroup.net 🔥
By the way (I should have mentioned earlier), we have a Middle East subgroup at [http://linkedin.com/groups?gid=4802142|leo://plh/http%3A*3*3linkedin%2Ecom*3groups%3Fgid%3D4802142/IbCj?_t=tracking_disc].

It’s new and small but I suspect that will change.

Burt Houtz, PMP
Communications I Strategic Planning I Program Management
Hi Kimberly
To the extent that successful adoption of medical devices / technology is possible is any country, especially developing or emerging countries, the more likely it is that women in that country will also benefit, medically, as a result of the usage of that technology. The lack of this technology provides no opportunity for the advantage that it otherwise provides.
Respectfully, Burt.

Joe Hage
🔥 Find me at MedicalDevicesGroup.net 🔥
Noam, thanks.

Yes, it’s important I don’t confuse my readers. I don’t want to even suggest I know what I’m doing when it comes to helping a medical device company assess who would be a good business partner or reliable source of financing.

Thus my questions to the group: How would YOU approach the opportunity? What questions would members who ARE experts in this field do?

In addition, I recently had someone misrepresent himself as a wealthy Saudi Arabian so I was a bit skittish when approached but wanted to ask the group what they thought.

Noam Shamay
Founder & CEO at EndoWays
I didn`t want to “slaughter the camel” up to now, yet Joe, things bothered me in your original post wording and I have a question for you Joe:
You say “I’m out of my element here but if it’s real” … so you are not sure if this “large Saudi Arabian organization” is for real or not? is this large Saudi Arabian organization that is “looking to invest, distribute, and basically “you name it.”” have a name?

I think that all the cash hungry US medical device companies looking to ease the new tax burden, need not to explore risky new markets for short term growth, instead, I suggest you lobby your congress and government to back off this ridiculous tax and if you are looking to save, move your R&D activities to Israel with 6% tax in some city’s and a lot of top notch skilled men power and technology in place.

Sandra Oliveira
Quality Documentation Specialist
I was contacted today by a Dubai pharmaceutical organization that is already established in the USA but need to find an FDA agent for medical devices. Any recommendations???
Thank you!

Larry Petersen
Medical Device Consultant at Medical Products International
Kimberly, A few of the middle east countries are more involved in these traditions but not all of them. In addition if the Medical device manufacturer wants the additional business that may be possible from the Middle east countries, then they must not mix business with politics or cultural issues of any of these countries. Not advisable to place female sales reps in this area or even to have them selling into the region by email, phone or Skype.
Perhaps in a few years things may change a bit. One Middle East Country is becoming very difficult for north american companies to do business with due to trade embargo’s and banking issues. In my opinion that situation is likely to get worse before it gets better.

Kimberly Hansen
Art Director and Brand Advocate
What responsibilities do American and Western companies have with regard to the abysmal human rights records some of these countries have, especially with regards to women’s rights? Would you have your female employees work or live in those countries? Do you find this an issue at all, or is it all profit based? How does this affect how you relate with your associates abroad?