New products take too long to reach German general practitioners (GP):
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
Innovative medical products are taking too long, sometimes years, to reach the doctor's surgery in Germany and to be accepted by GPs, says a report in Arzte Zeitung. A study carried out in 10 surgeries in Berlin suggests that such products often result in savings as well as swifter recovery for the patient. Treatment for a venous ulcer with conventional dressings can cost DM 5,000 ($3,383) and take more than nine months. New hydrocolloid dressings may reduce treatment time to five weeks and the cost to about DM 650.