Research and Markets: The Outlook for Pharmaceuticals in Western Europe - Total Pharmaceutical Market Value to Grow to US$244.6 Billion in the Next Five Years

Research and Markets ( http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/3c9042/the_outlook_for_ph) has announced the addition of the " The Outlook for Pharmaceuticals in Western Europe" report to their offering.

The countries of Western Europe represent a total market of over 365 million people and a combined GDP of US$14.4 trillion in 2007.

The 11 main Western European markets for pharmaceuticals are wealthy and mature. Is there any point in manufacturers trying to break into markets they are not already servicing, and, if yes, where? If they are already operating in the region, what are the prospects for growth and what operating environment will they face in the future?

Valuable markets...

News stories chronicle the pressures and problems facing governments trying to expand or maintain health provision in a cost-constrained world. But one fact remains. The countries covered by this report represent a total pharmaceutical market value of US$206.2 billion. We forecast this figure will grow by US$38.4 billion over the next five years to US$244.6 billion.

...with cost pressures

All health funders are experiencing difficulties in meeting the demands on modern health systems. Pressures arise from many quarters including:

The cost of current branded medicines which is leading to accelerated growth in generic usage in key markets such as Spain and France
The often high cost of new therapies which provide marginal therapeutic benefit
An ageing population needing longer and more intensive medical treatments
Unplanned population increase due to immigration and an influx of migrant workers

The Outlook for Pharmaceutical Markets in Western Europe to 2012 is a unique collection of management reports from Espicom Business Intelligence. Each report provides individual and highly-detailed analysis of each market, looking at the key regulatory, political, economic and corporate developments in the wider context of market structure, service and access. The reports are available individually, or as a discounted collection.

Countries Covered:

Austria
Belgium
France
Germany
Ireland
Italy
Netherlands
Portugal
Spain
Switzerland
United Kingdom

Highlights from the region:

GERMANY

Germany is the third largest pharmaceutical market in the world and the largest in Europe. Although the domestic consumption of pharmaceuticals is being constrained by government policy, the export market continues to expand. Germany also has the largest generic market in Europe.

The issue of pricing and reimbursement continues to play a central role in healthcare politics. The introduction of a 'Postivliste' (positive list), a list of drugs granted reimbursable status, and the contents of the 'Negativliste' (negative list), a list of drugs without reimbursable status, has been the focal point of much friction between the government, the pharmaceutical industry and doctors' associations. The issue of Krankenkassen drug expenditure, in particular its containment, has also caused considerable discord.

FRANCE

Easy access to doctors and, therefore, prescription medicines, has been one of the key factors in the high level of pharmaceutical spending in France. Moreover, the high level of state responsibility for expenditure has meant that neither doctors nor patients have ever had very much incentive to limit the amount of drugs consumed. Over-consumption is seen as a problem, not only for the government, which is attempting to reduce its pharmaceutical expenditure, but also for the health of the nation. The over-consumption of antibiotics has caused particular concern owing to the growing number of infections that have become antibiotic-resistant and this has resulted in a concerted campaign to cut the number of inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions by 50%. Other areas where French consumption is deemed excessive include psychotropics, vasodilators and vein tonics. Paradoxically, whilst general drug consumption is high, a complex regulatory system has at times delayed the introduction of more innovative medicines.

UNITED KINGDOM

The UK is one of the world's leading pharmaceutical producers and exporters. It is home to two of the sector's largest companies; GlaxoSmithKline and AstraZeneca. Behind these, there are a large number of smaller companies specialising in R&D and biotech products.

The introduction of a new pharmaceutical pricing scheme at the beginning of 2005 was seen as a limited change in price structure. The scheme rewards companies that are able to document R&D development, thereby being able to offset imposed profit limitations on R&D.

ITALY

In recent years, Italian health reforms have centred on cost containment and the decentralisation of financial responsibility to the regions. The Italian Drug Agency (AIFA) is now responsible for controlling pharmaceutical expenditure, improving the drug registration system, developing drug awareness and promoting R&D and innovation.

Cost containment measures in the 2003 Finance Bill included the reinstatement of patient co-payments for specialist examinations and diagnostic visits, an increase in the pharmacy discount, and the re-ordering of the list of approved medicines. The government also introduced a reference price-based drug reimbursement scheme in 2001, aimed at actively encouraging the use of cheaper generic medicines.

AUSTRIA

Common with many other countries in western Europe the Austrian government has introduced measures to ensure pharmaceutical expenditure remains tightly controlled. This is being accomplished via the use of increased patient co-payments, fewer drugs being reimbursed and a greater use of generic prescribing.

In an effort to streamline public services, Austria has been one of the first European countries to issue an electronic card that contains patient information. It is hoped that this will allow a greater degree of flexibility within the healthcare system.