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Global Health Econ Sustain Imports of essential medical products

Figure 6. Total import by the EU-27, including extra-EU and intra-EU.

4. Results
Test kits DEU (29%)
Equation I was used for estimation for each of the analyzed
products using the most appropriate statistical method.
Protective All variables have been log-transformed to eliminate the
garments CHN (17%) dependence on the units of measurement and to smooth
any variability, thereby standardizing the statistical data
and improving the robustness of the estimates.
Disinfectants BEL (14%)
The results of the Breusch-Pagan and Hausman
tests revealed that the estimation of imports of test kits,
Partners Imports Oxygen therapy DEU (19%) protective garments, vehicles, and furniture is more
(2015-2020) equipment
consistent when pooled OLS is applied (Prob > Chi2 <
0.05). The Hausman test was significant for three products
Medical devices CHN (24%) (disinfectants, medical consumables, and oxygen therapy
equipment), indicating that the RE method was more
efficient than the FE method in this case. Finally, FE was
Medical used for the estimation of medical devices because Prob
consumables DEU (19%)
>Chi < 0.05 in the Hausman test.
2
Medical In all estimations in Table 4, the goodness of fit (Adj
vehicles & DEU (19%) R ) lies between 0.74 and 0.85; it can thus be confirmed
2
furniture
that the set of regressors explains a substantial part of the
Figure 7. Main suppliers of each product. behavior of the import. GDPpc and population showed
positive and significant coefficients for all products, which
According to official statistics, China, Germany, and is expected according to economic theory. The level of
Belgium led the way in medical supplies. Indeed, China wealth of a country reflects its purchasing power, and thus
accounts for the supply of 17% of the protective garments capacity to purchase essential goods. Furthermore, an aged
and 24% of medical devices sold to the EU-27 as a whole, population in a territory has a greater need for essential
placing itself in the top position of medical supplies medical products. The year 2020 saw an increased need
(Figure 7). Germany and Belgium, in addition to holding for the essential medical products because this age group
top positions as suppliers to European countries, are also is the most vulnerable to the symptoms of the virus. In
among the major importers. The OECD (2020b) and this regard, Shaker (2020) noted that a greater population
García et al. (2020) attribute this dual role to the existence aged over 65 of the importing country was indicative of a
of intense intra-industrial trade and the high degree of bigger import of medical products from China during the
interdependence between these essential items. pandemic.

Volume 1 Issue 2 (2023) 8 https://doi.org/10.36922/ghes.1207