05-Aug-16 The latest reform of China's health system will see patients sign contracts with physicians for basic medical needs. According to the State Council, pregnant women, the elderly, children and those with chronic diseases are the prime targets of the new system. The initiative is intended to make services more accessible to the public and reduce overall medical costs. [image: China Daily]

01-Aug-16 For decades, working as a public hospital doctor in China was considered an “iron rice bowl” job – a career with salary guaranteed until retirement. Now the Ministry of Human Resources & Social Security is studying hiring practices in public hospitals and universities, as it aims to shift all such jobs, including public hospital doctors, to contract positions. [image: SMCP]

29-Jul-16 Allergan Optive Fusion eye drops have shown rapid and continued improvement in dry eye in a study presented at the 2016 Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology Congress in China. Allergan’s Ophthalmology director, Damon Cooke, said: “Dry eye disease is impacting increasing numbers of people as we spend more time looking at screens and living in air conditioned environments.” [image: Allergen Optive Fusion]

29-Jul-16 Chinese conglomerates Fosun and Alibaba are betting big on the country’s reforms of the healthcare system. But so far the country’s rigidly-regulated market is proving a more bitter pill to swallow than expected, say experts. Ali Health's plans took an early setback in Jun-16 when the government unexpectedly halted online drug sales by third-party platforms. [image: SMCP]

28-Jul-16 Within five years, one in three US surgeries - more than double current levels – is expected to be performed with robotic systems, with surgeons sitting at computer consoles guiding mechanical arms. Companies developing new robots also plan to expand their use in India, China and other emerging markets. [image: Intuitive Surgical / Reuters]