28-Dec-15 Japan's government has approved a draft budget for 2016 including JPY82.5 bn for the Ministry of Health, Labor & Welfare (MHLW) to promote development of innovative new drugs and medical devices, based on the comprehensive strategy for strengthening the pharmaceutical industry announced in Sep-15. Among others, this budget will fund initiatives to promote the practical application of genomic medicine. [image: Tohoku University]

27-Dec-15 Japanese health monitor maker Omron Healthcare is looking at more than doubling its revenues in India to USD40 mn by 2018/19, on the back of sales network expansion. The company, which is expecting sales of USD19 mn this year, is also open to the idea of opening a factory in India depending on the demand of its products. [image: Ormon Healthcare].

15-Dec-15 Ovitz Corporation, a startup that develops portable devices to check eyes, is set to support developing countries. Kim Joung-yoon, CEO of Ovitz, said “There are 4.5 billion people across the globe in need of visual correction, and 80% of cases are preventable... However, it is actually very difficult for the disadvantaged in developing countries to get proper eye exams." [image: Business Korea]

14-Dec-15 Chinese consumers spent RMB65 bn (USD10 bn) buying medicines, healthcare products and services on Alibaba’s Chinese retail sites in 2014, up 63% from a year earlier. In addition, sales of nursing care services grew 205% on Singles’ Day, while sales of health insurance increased 432% on Alibaba’s sites, including the huge Taobao and Tmall marketplaces. [image: International Supermarket News]

11-Dec-15 India’s Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MOHFW) and the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) have met with medical device association representatives to discuss how the country can become a hub for device manufacturing and begin to align with global regulations. The discussion centered on increasing device exports and evaluating new guidance for the industry. [image: RAPS]