ACCU-CHEK by Roche, ASCENSIA by Bayer: Comparing and Contrasting Presentation

Introduction

• Roche and Bayer are companies that manufacture variety of health products.
• Accu-chek and Ascensia are glucometers that are manufactured by Roche and Bayer respectiviely.
• This companies employ different strategies in the production, marketing and sale of the above products.
• This presentation seeks to compare and contrast the Accu-chek by Roche and the Ascensia by Bayer.
• The comparison will narrow down on the production, marketing, forecasting, and supply and demand of the two products.
• The analysis will also include the processes followed by the two companies identifying their key merits and demerits.

Production

• Accu-chek:
  • Produces different varieties of glucometers that are tailored different customer needs.
  • Aims at improving efficiency through production of glucometers such as the “ACCU-CHECK multicilix lancet device” that uses tiny lancets that are less painful and with a glucometer that can use tiny drops of blood (Blood Glucose Monitor , 2004).
  • Has products that calibrate automatically for the convenience of patient self testing (Accu-Check Aviva Glucometer – New for Diabetes Testing, 2010).
• Ascensia:
  • Produces different varieties of glucometers that focus on efficiency longevity (Blood Glucose Monitor , 2004).
  • Aims at designing devices that are easy to use. For instance the “Ascensia BREEZE that uses an easy load Autodisc” that is able to carry out ten tests.
  • Offers products with large test strips and some with automatic calibration to make them patient friendly. (Glucose Monitors Promise More Help, Less Hassle, 2010).

Marketing

• Accu-chek:
  • Roche focuses on quality and thus produces glucometers that are expensive but of assured quality.
  • Roche offers training programs in the care and management of diabetic patients.
  • Has launched a comprehensive care website for individuals with diabetes.
  • Roche carries out awareness campaigns in countries that are worst affected by Diabetes such as Saudi Arabia (Roche Diagnostics launches proven education programmes for diabetes management in Middle East , 2010).
• Ascensia:
  • The company focuses on affordable quality service and thus produces glucometers that are less expensive and of good quality.
  • Bayer focuses on helping diabetic patients to self manage their condition.
  • Bayer runs contests on the web for individuals with diabetes. For in stance “the Ascensia dream fund contest” (Ascensia BREEZE Now Available, 2010).
  • Bayer has carried out promotions that include the distribution of free glucometers to diabetics.
  • Bayer has gone to the extend of offering financial assistance to diabetics for them to establish and run businesses.

Forecasting

• Accu-chek:
  • Roche uses several indicators to forecast ACCU-CHEK sales (Blood Glucose Monitor , 2004).
  • This include the growth or decline in point of care or ambulatory sales.
  • “Uncertainty in market growth brought about by new practices such as competitive bidding” (Roche Diagnostics launches proven education programmes for diabetes management in Middle East , 2010).
• Ascensia:
  • Bayer has carried out extensive restructuring programs and thus expects growth to achieve substantial growth in 2010.
  • The company aims to achieve profit driven growth through investment in research and development especially in the emerging markets (Annual Report 2009, 2010).
  • The company expects to achieve portfolio adjusted sales of up to 5%. The estimates are based on US dollar and Euro exchange rates (Annual Report 2009, 2010).

Supply and demand

• Accu-chek:
  • The increase in diabetes incidences has increased the demand for Roche ACCU-CHEK glucometers.
  • The company is currently contracting third parties to meet the market demand for various products.
  • The company is identifying eligible partners to oversee growth in the widened geographic coverage.
  • ACCU-CHEK glucometers can be ordered on line and delivered through carrier transport.
• Ascensia:
  • The demand for Ascensia glucometers has been on the rise as a result of intense marketing activities.
  • Bayer sales different types of glucometers in different countries depending on general population preference.
  • Buyer mainly supplies its glucometers through subsidiaries located in different countries.
  • Ascensia glucometers can ordered online and delivered by carrier transport.

Conclusion

This presentation sought to compare to compare and contrast the Accu-chek by Roche and the Ascensia by Bayer.

Different specific areas have been explored to explain how the two companies go about the production and sale of the glucometers.

References

Accu-Check Aviva Glucometer – New for Diabetes Testing. (2010). Web.

Annual Report 2009. (2010). Web.

Ascensia BREEZE Now Available. (2010). Web.

Blood Glucose Monitor. (2004). Web.

Glucose Monitors Promise More Help, Less Hassle. (2010). Web.

Roche Diagnostics launches proven education programmes for diabetes management in Middle East. (2010). Web.