Now is an excellent time to start a medical supplies business that includes selling disposable medical supplies like N95 masks and surgical masks. These are used not just in the healthcare industry, but also in non-healthcare settings as well.

1) Is selling N95 and surgical masks a good business?

A disposable medical supplies business allows you as an entrepreneur to provide an essential service to the community.

Whatever state the economy is in, the medical industry can be considered almost recession-proof. Businesses in the healthcare industry, whether producing tangible goods or offering services, are profitable as the need for healthcare remains. And in modern times, that need even continues to rise.

People get sick every day regardless of what season it is. We go to healthcare facilities and consult with healthcare providers. People who get sick, their healthcare providers, hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities, need more and more disposable medical supplies, including N95 masks and surgical masks.

2) What kind of medical products can bring you business

Disposable medical supplies are used mainly for infection control. When used only once and disposed of properly, they can’t transmit infectious agents to succeeding patients.

A. Surgical mask

A surgical mask is a loose-fitting, disposable medical device that serves as a physical barrier between the wearer’s nose and mouth, and possible contaminants in the immediate surrounding.

When worn correctly, surgical masks help block large-particle droplets, splashes, sprays, or splatter that may contain germs (viruses and bacteria). These masks prevent viruses and bacteria from reaching the mouth and nose.

B. N95 mask

Commonly used in healthcare settings, an N95 respirator is a “single-use,” disposable respiratory protective device that blocks at least 95% of tiny (0.3 micron) test particles when properly fitted. The N95 respirator is usually worn by healthcare professionals during procedures to protect both patient and healthcare staff from the transfer of microorganisms, body fluids, and particulate material.

Respirators come in various sizes and must be individually selected to fit the wearer’s face and to provide a tight seal.

C. Hand sanitizer

To avoid getting sick and spreading germs to other people, use a hand sanitizer with at least 75% alcohol if handwashing with soap and water is not possible.

An alcohol-based hand sanitizer reduces the number of microbes on your hands in some situations. But they may not be as effective when the hands are visibly dirty or greasy. That’s why washing hands with soap and water whenever possible is recommended.

D. Protective clothing

By using protective clothing or personal protective equipment, healthcare personnel prevents infection of both patients and healthcare staff. Protective clothing is made of materials that would serve as protection against microorganisms that can be transmitted with blood and other body fluids.

E. Gloves and Medical goggles

Medical gloves are essential items of personal protective equipment that protects against microorganisms and chemical agents. These are typically made of natural or synthetic rubber, and also polyvinyl chloride or polyethylene.

Healthcare staff must protect their eyes against liquids, aerosols, and steam by using medical goggles.

F. Infrared thermometer

Also known as a “thermometer gun,” the infrared thermometer’s infrared sensor quickly measures the heat coming from the surface of a person’s body.

Since using it doesn’t involve any body surface contact, the likelihood of cross-infection is slim, and neither disinfection nor disposable probe covers are needed.

G. Disinfection paper towels

Disinfection paper towels are also called wet wipes, wet towels, moist towelettes, or disinfecting wipes. These are small, moistened pieces of paper or cloth that are folded and individually wrapped. These are used for cleaning or disinfecting.

Mostly made of non-woven fabric, wet wipes are then saturated with a solution of water and gentle cleansing agents such as isopropyl alcohol. For added scent and softness, the cloth can be treated with lotion and softeners.

3) Start N95 and surgical masks business: what are the advantages and disadvantages behind this?

A

Advantages

As stated in section #1, disposable medical supplies like N95 masks and surgical masks are needed year-round. The demand for these items is constant. In times of health crises, which seems to be getting more frequent in recent years, demand skyrockets.

Since demand is high, that means you have a potentially large market where your customers can be all types of medical professionals as well as ordinary people. You can set up the business anywhere you want, even online.

Why be involved specifically in disposable medical supplies? Being disposable means these are clean and bacteria-free before use. You don’t have to check and recheck if the supplies have been sterilized before reuse. Using disposable supplies removes the possibility of cross-contamination, and also the risk of human error when cleaning. Using disposable medical supplies ensures a safer work or healthcare facility environment.

Using disposable medical supplies is more practical for medical professionals and healthcare facilities because they don’t have to bring back the medical supplies and make sure that these are sanitized before reuse. Stocking disposables is easier to manage since personnel don’t have to spend time tracking reusable supplies, compared to disposables, which can be easily managed by just ensuring sufficient stock levels.

The internet has made it possible for entrepreneurs to offer goods and services online, and for people to buy those goods and services at more affordable prices. If high rental rates discourage you from getting into business, then having an online disposable medical supplies business is a great solution for you.

Want to be part of the medical field but don’t want to invest time and effort in medical training? Running a disposable medical supplies business is another way to be part of the medical field and earn a profit.

Another advantage for entrepreneurs entering the medical supplies industry is that you get to do business with healthcare industry professionals. When you’re in touch with healthcare professionals, you get valuable, updated information about health topics. If you use that information wisely, hopefully, you become health-conscious and practice healthy living.

BDisadvantages

The competition in the medical supplies industry is fierce. While serving a vast market, industry players are simply too numerous. Distributors and retailers alike face increasingly narrow profit margins, with demand for products of better quality and lower cost. New businesses that can identify and capitalize on niche markets will have a distinct advantage.

Expect medical-related businesses to be subject to many government regulatory policies since they concern public health. Do your research and know what regulatory requirements your products fall under so that you’ll have all the needed paperwork for your business.

4) Where to buy N95 and surgical mask from China

A N95 and surgical mask manufacturer in China

Before the outbreak of coronavirus,Xiantao is the main production center of masks in China. It is a city in Central China’s Hubei province known to be the country’s leading production center of face masks and a significant local medical equipment manufacturing base. The city is a major industrial hub for non-woven products used in surgical masks.

BSourcing agent for surgical masks

Due to the current coronavirus pandemic, there’s a mad rush worldwide to source medical masks in large quantities. Almost every country is competing for the limited stocks that are churned out by manufacturers.

So how would you know which companies are the legitimate manufacturers of surgical masks and N95 masks?

The best way to find trusted suppliers is to hire a sourcing agent from China who’s already familiar with local manufacturers.

A sourcing agent will help you find quality face masks at the best possible factory price. Your sourcing agent will act as your representative in China, executing your orders and negotiating with suppliers and shipping companies, and taking care of needed documentation.

Experienced sourcing agents have dealt with many businesses over the years. So they know what suppliers can be trusted to fulfill production orders, and what shipping companies that can deliver on time. They’re also knowledgeable about government certifications, taxes, duties, and documents needed to make sure that you get your medical supplies delivered to you without much hassle.Communicate often with your sourcing agent and be clear with what you want and don’t want about your orders and your suppliers.

5) How to sell N95 and surgical mask

Since you’ll be entering a tough industry with many big and small players, your chances of success in selling N95 masks and surgical masks will increase if you have done your market research.

Choose a target market for your disposable medical supplies business. Whom do you want to sell to?

AHospitals and healthcare facilities

If you plan to sell to hospitals and healthcare facilities in the USA, make sure that you know all federal and state regulatory requirements, such as FDA registration.

Familiarize yourself with how purchases are made in your target hospitals and, more importantly, identify the persons who make buying decisions. Most hospitals have a committee that evaluates, selects, and purchases medical supplies for the entire organization.

As a seller of medical supplies, you must establish and develop relationships with doctors who recommend to the hospital what products to purchase, and the hospital management that makes the final purchase decision.

To get your business known to medical professionals, send marketing materials, sponsor medical conventions or health fairs, and send press releases to local medical associations and professional medical groups.

BCompanies

Aside from hospitals and healthcare facilities, you can also sell to private companies or institutions. These include retail companies, manufacturing companies, distribution companies, call centers, insurance companies, offices, schools, churches, and many more. And you can also sell to government institutions. Disposable medical supplies such as face masks and medical gloves can be considered as staple items that must be stocked in workplace clinics.

A good strategy to undertake is to look for areas where you have less competition in the market, as this may allow you to position your business well in these markets.

CFriends

Why not sell to your friends and ask them to be your affiliates so they can also sell to their network? You both win with that arrangement. Offer them generous commissions and incentives so that they’d be motivated to sell year-round.

A good strategy to undertake is to look for areas where you have less competition in the market, as this may allow you to position your business well in these markets.

DFacebook and Instagram

Selling online has never been easier with the use of social networks. You only need to have an account on Facebook and/or Instagram, and you can get started selling online. Facebook and Instagram are online platforms that let you reach potential buyers. Invest in having professional product shots and videos taken to attract viewers.

Have a dedicated customer service representative or social media manager answer inquiries in real-time to take advantage of a potential buyer’s interest. Once a long time passes between the customer’s initial query and your reply, the customer might have already lost interest in your product. Provide incentives to customers as well, to give them reason to return to your online shop.

6) Problems you may encounter when buying N95 and surgical masks

AProblem of scam

Scams, like the demand for medical supplies, continue to thrive all year. These days, with the need for face masks at an all-time high, and stocks are in short supply because of the coronavirus crisis, online scammers are hard at work.

Some people who are desperate to buy face masks are falling victim to fake sellers on online platforms (like Facebook, WeChat, and Weibo). The sellers claim to have available stocks, but after the customer sends the payment, the seller disappears completely, not delivering even one piece of face mask promised.

There has also been a report of fake N95 masks that were seized in a warehouse.

Make sure to verify if the sellers you’re talking to have legitimate businesses that are capable of supplying you with your needed face masks.

BProblem of quality

Poor product quality will always be a problem if you always choose to buy from the seller with the lowest price. It pays to know who are the manufacturers that consistently produce quality products, especially in the medical supplies business where public health is at stake. Don’t sacrifice quality just to save a few dollars. People won’t buy from you if you’re known to carry substandard products. Choose your suppliers carefully. To make sure that your supplier will send you quality products, insist on quality control inspections, and ensure that your contracts are properly drafted.

CProblem of delivery time

Millions of products move around the world every day. Delays in delivery times are common. Many factors cause delays, and some delays are unavoidable.

To avoid delays or just minimize delays, hire the most reliable delivery service that you can find. Shipping companies can correctly estimate your total shipping time. These companies are strict about meeting their delivery time commitments.

Poor product quality will always be a problem if you always choose to buy from the seller with the lowest price. It pays to know who are the manufacturers that consistently produce quality products, especially in the medical supplies business where public health is at stake. Don’t sacrifice quality just to save a few dollars. People won’t buy from you if you’re known to carry substandard products. Choose your suppliers carefully. To make sure that your supplier will send you quality products, insist on quality control inspections, and ensure that your contracts are properly drafted.

DProblem of certificates ( CE and FDA certificates)

Check the product certificates required by your country when importing disposable medical supplies from China.

CE Certificates

The CE mark shows compliance with all mandatory EN standards (which refers to European Standard adopted by one of the three recognized European Standardization Organizations (ESOs): CEN, CENELEC or ETSI) or EC directives (Electronic Commerce Regulations 2002). Only products included in one or more ‘CE directives’ should carry the CE mark.

The CE marking is required for products imported from or exported to any one of the EU member countries, which are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia or Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.

More than just the printed CE mark, product compliance requires that the importer should ensure that the products comply with all technical standards and requirements, as stated in the relevant EN and EC directive. From the EU’s point of view, when items are manufactured overseas, the importer is considered as the ‘legal manufacturer.’

FDA certificates

In the USA, personal protective equipment (PPE) intended to be used as a medical device must follow the Food and Drug Administration or USFDA’s regulations and should meet the required standards for safety and protection. This includes N95 respirators, surgical masks, medical gloves, and gowns.

When exporting PPE to the USA, you first need to identify your product code, which will determine whether you need FDA clearance and approval from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health or NIOSH.

The FDA reviews some PPEs before they can be legally sold in the United States. In the Premarket Notification or 510(k) clearance, the manufacturers have to show that the product meets specific criteria for performance, labeling, and intended use to demonstrate substantial equivalence.

EProblem of customs clearance

The disposable medical supplies you bought from China must first be cleared for exports before these cargoes can be loaded and shipped. Problems arise when the required documents cannot be produced.

If your products are found to have no proper documentation, Chinese customs authorities may issue a fine. This may cause your shipment to be delivered late. If you want to avoid trouble with customs, simply choose FOB transactions, as all export clearance documents and procedures are already included in the FOB price.

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