Example Of Essay On Comparative Analysis Of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, And Threats Facing Three Health Industry Companies

Baxter Company is an international healthcare company that specializes in pharmaceuticals, medical devices and biotechnology. This company majorly operates in Europe and North America. On the other hand Express Scripts is a pharmacy benefit management company that is based in the US. UnitedHealth Group is one of the leading and most established health and wellbeing company. It serves over 70 million Americans to date (UnitedHealth Group, n.d.)

Similarities

Strengths
One of the strengths that Baxter International and Express Scripts have is a diversed customer base. This is because of their diversified health company. They are not reluctant on only one product, but several. For instance, Baxter International deals in medical devices and pharmaceuticals (Baxter International, n.d.).

All of the 3 health companies have a strong history in service and innovation.

They all have a strong financial performance.
Weaknesses
Both Baxter International and Express Scripts have had some controversies in the past. Baxter was alleged involved in some Chinese heparin adulteration as well as drug cost installation. On the other hand, Express Scripts was involved in some fraud (Express Scripts. n.d.).

Opportunities

Emerging markets, hence growth of potential customers to the healthcare sector.
Threats
A common weakness for all of the companies is a growing competitive market in the health industry.
Significance of the similarities
Companies in the health sector should concentrate more on providing quality than making a profit.
Differences
Although all the companies are leading in their specific sectors, they are growing at different rates. For instance, the impact on economic recession and inflation had greater impact on UnitedHealth Group than on Express Scripts due to the increases in cost and expenses.
This difference shows that different sectors in the health industry have different factors affecting them.

References

Baxter International.Retrieved from ://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/10456/000119312512075661/d267280d10k.htm
Express Scripts. (n.d.). 10-K. Retrieved from http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/885721/000119312512072758/d262132d10k.htm
UnitedHealth Group. (n.d.). UNH 2011.12.31 10K. Retrieved from http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/731766/000073176612000009/unh2011123110k.htm