Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare Insight RSS Feed

Medical Device Market Large But Risky (Emerging Europe Pharma & Healthcare Insight)

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00 GMT

BMI calculates the Greek medical device market to be worth EUR1.27bn (US$1.86bn) in 2008, making it one of the largest markets in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). In total, spending represents 4.38% of total health expenditure, which is within the normal range of spending patterns found in the region. Sales of equipment have shown strong growth from 2005-2008, increasing by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22.1%.

Drug Market Growth To Slow (Western Europe Pharma & Healthcare Insight)

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00 GMT

Growth in the Belgian drug market is expected to decline in 2009, with pharmaceutical expenditure calculated to increase by only 2.41% by the end of this year, compared with the 5.16% and 5.23% rates experienced during 2007 and 2008. Drug expenditure reached EUR4.48bn (US$6.59bn) in 2008 and is expected to increase to EUR4.59bn in 2009. However, as a result of the weakening euro, pharmaceutical expenditure in US dollar terms is calculated to decline to US$6.47bn.

Bilateral Relations For Healthcare Enhanced (Middle East & Africa Pharma & Healthcare Insight)

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00 GMT

The governments of South Korea and Qatar are increasing bilateral co-operation through a planned agreement to promote the countries' health sectors. BMI notes that this forms part of a wider discussion to strengthen relations between the countries which has also involved other sectors including construction, renewable energy, shipbuilding and finance.

Medical Tourism To Be Promoted Heavily (Middle East & Africa Pharma & Healthcare Insight)

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00 GMT

The creation of the Healthcare City (HC) in Dubai has yet to fulfil its potential for attracting international patients. BMI believes the government within Dubai has to promote its medical tourism benefits more widely in order to gain considerably from its substantial investment.

Pfizer Eyes Protalix Biotherapeutics After Promising Clinical Trials (Middle East & Africa Pharma & Healthcare Insight)

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00 GMT

Two weeks after Israeli Protalix Biotherapeutics announced the success of phase III clinical trials for a pipeline treatment for Gaucher's disease, Pfizer has shown notable interest in the firm through a preliminary meeting. While speculation mounts over a possible buy-out, we note that Pfizer are more likely to take a cautious stance, particularly since a co-operative or co-licensing deal is a more attractive option. Teva is likely to show interest in Protalix as the company's chairman holds a 9.9% stake in the smaller biopharmaceutical firm. However, at this early stage, we believe that much depends on the strength of Protalix's

Valeant Strengthens Dermatology Portfolio With Product Acquisitions (Emerging Europe Pharma & Healthcare Insight)

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00 GMT

US-based Valeant Pharmaceuticals International has signed an agreement to acquire several prescription and cosmetic dermatology products from an undisclosed privately-held Polish pharmaceutical company. Valeant paid US$18mn for the product rights, which generate around US$8mn annually. It is unclear whether these products were marketed solely in Poland prior to the acquisition, but Valeant has indicated it will market the products across its key Central European

Local Pharmaceutical Manufacturing An Increasing Priority (Middle East & Africa Pharma & Healthcare Insight)

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00 GMT

The emerging markets are increasingly aware that reducing import reliance on pharmaceuticals is crucial to both economic growth and cost-saving. Lebanon's health minister has recently reiterated this notion, stating that the Arab world should be able to meet aggregate demand without resorting to foreign medicines. We caution that output for most drugmakers in the country is limited due to regulatory issues and the paradox of imported drugs being cheaper than those produced locally.

Pricing Revision Postponement Re-Opens Opportunities For Change (Emerging Europe Pharma & Healthcare Insight)

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00 GMT

The implementation of Turkey's pharmaceutical pricing revisions[1] have been delayed by the government, amid a backlash from the industry which has threatened widespread divestment in the country and raised concerns over supply chain issues. The pricing alterations - which would see a 40% reduction for name-brand drugs and a 20% reduction for generics - were set to be enforced on November 2 2009, but have now been postponed until December 4 2009 at the

Health Insurance: The Focus Of The Latest Healthcare Reform (Western Europe Pharma & Healthcare Insight)

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00 GMT

Germany's new centre-right coalition government, formed after the September 2009 elections, has pledged to reform the country's healthcare system; however, there are disagreements between the parties as to how this should be done. Over the past two decades, there has been numerous healthcare reforms in Germany, aiming to create a more cost-effective healthcare sector. The current reform focuses on the financing structure of the country's healthcare system - health insurance.

Medicine Monitoring To Improve (Asia Pacific Pharma & Healthcare Insight)

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00 GMT

BMI's April 2009 prediction that pharmaceutical regulations in Hong Kong would be tightened has proved correct.[1] The Review Committee on Regulation of Pharmaceutical Products has recommended that the medicine supply chain be better protected, pharmacovigilance enhanced and risk communication increased. After the Review Committee's release of a final report later this year, we will upgrade Hong Kong's Pharmaceutical Business Environment Rating score for 'policy', which is currently six out of 10.

New Generic Drug Pricing Strategy Revealed (Americas Pharma & Healthcare Insight)

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00 GMT

The municipal government of Alberta, Canada has revealed that a new generic drug pricing scheme will be implemented as part of the second phase of the national pharmaceutical strategy to reduce consumer costs. The province currently has some of the highest generic drug prices in the country. BMI believes that the reduction should increase access to healthcare and invite further interest from generic drugmakers looking to expand their presence in Canada.

Project To Build New Pharmaceutical Plants Underway (Emerging Europe Pharma & Healthcare Insight)

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00 GMT

Kazakhstan's pharmaceutical production capacity should be boosted substantially over the next five years as the government invests in building new plants and companies realise the potential in favouring domestic production and exports. Government resolutions for the construction of new pharmaceutical plants from September 1 2009 demand increased production capabilities, with local company Chimpharm among the main

Generics Achieve Market Share Gains In Q3 (Americas Pharma & Healthcare Insight)

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00 GMT

In line with BMI forecasts, sales of generic drugs in Brazil grew by 21% year-on-year (y-o-y) in Q309 to BRL1.2bn (US$680mn), according to data from the Brazilian Association of Generic Drugs (PróGenéricos). By volume, 89.4mn units were sold in Q3, bringing the total for 9M09 to 238.8mn. The increase in the number of units sold is above that seen in overall pharmaceutical market sales, which were up just 9.2% over the same period. As a result, generics' market share by volume has increased from 17.7% in Q308 to 19.3% in September

Government Creates A Fund To Promote The Biotech Industry (Western Europe Pharma & Healthcare Insight)

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00 GMT

French president Nicolas Sarkozy has announced the creation of InnoBio, a EUR139mn fund dedicated to the country's healthcare biotechnology sector. The fund is a partnership between the state innovation agency and France Biotech (the association of biotechnology companies and their partners) and aims to promote the industry, which is made up of approximately 400 companies employing 20,000 people.

Fortis To Build Hospitals In Rural Areas (Asia Pacific Pharma & Healthcare Insight)

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00 GMT

Fortis Healthcare has become the fourth medical services company to explicitly state its intention to penetrate India's rural market. While BMI believes this sector has significant potential, we urge a degree of caution as purchasing power is still very low.