Healthcare Technologies Resource Guide - Export.gov
Healthcare Technologies Resource Guide - Export.gov
Healthcare Technologies Resource Guide - Export.gov
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Dominican Republic<br />
Summary<br />
In the Dominican Republic, the demand for medical equipment and supplies<br />
will continue to grow over the next years driven by the changes in the<br />
Dominican Social Security law, the steady growth in the number of privatelyowned<br />
hospitals, and the continually-rising need for medical products for a<br />
growing population. There is a strong preference for U.S. goods, provided the<br />
prices are competitive. U.S. exporters of medical equipment and supplies to<br />
the Dominican Republic enjoy numerous advantages, including the positive<br />
reputation as manufacturers of good quality; quick delivery time; close<br />
proximity to the U.S. that results in reduced shipping charges; and small order<br />
accommodations. Since many Dominican physicians have been trained in the<br />
U.S., they are highly receptive to U.S. products.<br />
Market Entry<br />
U.S. products and services enjoy favorable access to the Dominican market.<br />
The Central American Free Trade Agreement-Dominican Republic (CAFTA-<br />
DR) provides for duty-free entry of medical equipment and pharmaceutical<br />
products. To succeed in the Dominican market in the healthcare sector, it is<br />
advisable to have a local distributor that can provide after-sales and leasing<br />
services, support guarantees, and maintain inventories for parts and supplies.<br />
<strong>Export</strong>ing directly to the private hospitals can be extremely challenging since<br />
procurement practices in public hospitals dictate that all purchases must be<br />
made through a local Dominican company. Local importers and distributors<br />
usually have sales agents who distribute the products to small retailers<br />
throughout the country. Local distributors also conduct promotional activities<br />
to encourage doctors and nurses to use and recommend their products.<br />
However, U.S. exporters should seek local legal counsel prior to signing a<br />
representative agreement with a Dominican agent to ensure that their rights to<br />
terminate an agreement in the future are safeguarded.<br />
Current Market Trends<br />
The Dominican market for medical equipment and supplies depends on<br />
imports. This market, which is largely dominated by U.S. exporters, has<br />
maintained a consistent demand for equipment. It is expected to continue<br />
growing, due to a very competitive situation between private- and public-sector<br />
healthcare facilities for the acquisition of modern technologies in machinery<br />
and equipments. Price is the primary determining factor for the purchase<br />
of disposable such as gauze, surgical drapes, surgical catgut, and the like.<br />
However, when purchasing surgical sterilizers, ophthalmic surgery instruments,<br />
breathing appliances and gas mask, etc., quality is the deciding criterion. The<br />
Statistics<br />
Capital: Santo Domingo<br />
Population: 10 million<br />
GDP: USD 94.58 billion (est. 2011)<br />
Currency: Dominican Peso<br />
Language: Spanish<br />
U.S. Commercial Service <strong>Healthcare</strong> <strong>Technologies</strong> <strong>Resource</strong> <strong>Guide</strong> | 2012–2013<br />
Contact<br />
Isolda Frías<br />
Commercial Advisor<br />
isolda.frias@trade.<strong>gov</strong><br />
(809) 227-2121 x226<br />
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