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Belgium Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare Q4 2006Published by: Business Monitor International Published: Dec. 1, 2006 - 68 Pages Table of Contents
AbstractBelgium's pharmaceuticals market is characterised by high per capita spend, low generic penetration and widespread cost-cutting measures. Because it is a mature market, growth opportunities are limited, but an informed patient population is driving the uptake of the latest technologies and medications. The value of the pharmaceutical market is currently US$4.7bn, and 5% y-o-y growth is forecast through to 2010. Many multinationals use Belgium as an international distribution centre, meaning that import/export trade in pharmaceutical products far exceeds the value of the domestic market. In addition, the country is a major manufacturing hub, particularly for biopharmaceuticals. Both GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals and Solvay have vaccine production capabilities in Belgium. BMI's adjusted Business Environment Rankings for Western Europe reveal that Belgium places seventh, just ahead of the Netherlands. The country scores highly for low political and economic risk and also for market growth potential, but is let down by market size and domestic sector threat. On the back of robust first half 2006 financial results, Belgian pharmaceutical and chemical group Solvay intends to expand its reach in its faster growing markets, specifically in Asia, NAFTA and in Mercosur - a South American free trade association. Meanwhile, compatriot firm UCB Pharma's potential Crohn's disease blockbuster Cimzia (anti-TNF alpha antibody) is on track to be submitted for approval in the first half of 2007. If approved and launched, the drug will represent a major advance in the treatment of the debilitating disease. A reference pricing system was introduced in 2001 to encourage the wider dispensing of generic drugs. Under the scheme, pharmaceuticals are reimbursed on the basis of the price of the generic drug, which was initially set at 16% less than that of the equivalent branded product. Over time, the Belgian Government has progressively reduced the reference price from 84% (until July 2002), 80% (until January 2003) to 74% of the price of the originator medicine (at July 2005). The rate now stands at 30% below that of the equivalent branded product. Key Benefits of ReportRely On Our Independent 5-Year Forecasts As A Benchmark to test other views - a key input for successful budgetary and strategic business planning. Target Business Opportunities & Risks through our reviews of latest industry trends, regulatory changes, and major deals, projects and investments Exploit Latest Competitive Intelligence & Company SWOTS on your competitors and peers through company rankings by sales, market share and ownership structure - includes multinational and national companies. Get Full Details About This Report >> |
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