15-Dec-16 A number of changes that are afoot in Japan as the country seeks to enhance its medical tourism footprint by helping patients further afield. The government announced a push towards medical commercialisation in 2010, and this prompted Japanese companies and hospitals to open 19 medical services in 13 countries since then. [image: Aizawa Healthcare International Ltd]

26-Nov-16 Thailand has come up with a new visa scheme in a bid to boost its medical tourism sector. The long-stay visa for foreigners aged 50 or older has been extended to 10 years, from one. It requires eligible foreigners to have a monthly income of at least THB100,000 (USD2,800) or a bank deposit of at least THB3 mn (USD84,000). [image: Golden Emperor]

24-Nov-16 In Indonesia, the Coordination of Benefits (COB) provision is changing the country’s healthcare landscape. While the COB is not new, its ability to now be combined with the JKN national health insurance and private insurers should benefit the industry. From the perspective of insurance users, this can pave the way for higher productivity by using private medical providers. [image: Wikipedia / Shawn M. Spitler / U.S. Marine Corps]

11-Nov-16 The Taiwan government plans to invest NTD11 bn (USD374 mn) in the biomedical industry in 2017 to develop large-scale healthcare firms, new drugs and new medical devices. The project aims to relax investment and recruitment regulations to lure and retain foreign capital and talent, and to encourage local businesses to acquire international companies and develop foreign markets. [image: CNA]

26-Oct-16 To reduce its dependence on China for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) of drugs, the Prime Minister’s Office has instructed the NITI Aayog along with the ministries of health, commerce and industry, and chemicals and fertilisers to draw up a comprehensive plan to produce APIs in India. [image: The Indian Express]