New Market Report: Belarus Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare Report Q3 2012

Recently published research from Business Monitor International, "Belarus Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare Report Q3 2012", is now available at Fast Market Research

by Bill Thompson

(WireNews+Co) - Boston, MA - 18 October 2012

BMI View: The short-term outlook for the Belarusian pharmaceutical market is deeply uncertain due to exchange-rate volatility and the economy's lack of capacity for progress without fundamental reforms though Russian financial support, in exchange for market access, may keep it ticking over. However, aside from some public statements about Chinese and Indian investments, which BMI regards with scepticism, foreign pharmaceutical players will stay out of Belarus until the economy reaches a new equilibrium. In addition, despite the existence of a Customs Union with Russia and Kazakhstan, the country is isolated from international trade flows by Russia's accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO). There is an argument that foreign retail, wholesale or production players could find a bargain under current circumstances. But potential meddling by the state, in particular by President Alexander Lukashenko, who plays a personal role in most foreign investment decisions, complicates even this process.

View Full Report Details and Table of Contents (http://www.fastmr.com/prod/451223_belarus_pharmaceuticals_healthcare_report_q3_2012.aspx) (http://www.fastmr.com/prod/451223_belarus_pharmaceuticals_healthcare_report_q3_2012.asp)

Headline Expenditure Projections

- Pharmaceuticals: BRB3,598bn in 2011 (US$692mn) to BRB5,075bn (US$634mn) in 2012; +41.0% in local currency terms and -8.4%% in US dollar terms. US dollar forecast upgraded from Q212 on the basis of updated data.
- Healthcare: BRB12,775bn (US$2.46bn) in 2011 to BRB16,305bn (US$2.04bn) in 2012; +27.6% in local currency terms and -17.1% in US dollar terms. US dollar forecast virtually unchanged since Q212.
- Medical Devices: BRB2,174bn (US$418mn) in 2011 to BRB3,067bn (US$383mn); +41.1% in local currency terms and -8.4% in US dollar terms. US dollar value substantially upgraded on the basis of new data.

Risk/Reward Rating: Belarus ranks 18th of 20 Central and Eastern European (CEE) markets again this quarter. Its ranking is a result of its poor - and still worsening - economic and political prospects. We are pessimistic that any incremental reforms will take place in the foreseeable future. The most likely scenario is continued status quo, with the country increasingly mortgaged to the Russian state, or a period of prolonged unrest, with consequent instability.

Key Trends And Developments

- Alongside devaluation, another potential blow to primarily foreign companies selling over-thecounter (OTC) medicines in Belarus was dealt by its parliament considering a ban on all advertisement of pharmaceuticals. The ban appears to include drugs on the OTC product list. While a similar move in neighbouring Ukraine has not been successful, BMI suspects this ban might have greater success, not least because the government has shown little willingness to promote the sector and advertising benefits primarily imported, branded products. On a more positive note, Remedium.ru reported in June that the Belarusian authorities had approved a new list of prescription-only and OTC drugs, with a 20% increase in registered OTC medicines, which now total 3,279.
-

Fast Market Research (http://www.fastmr.com) is an online aggregator and distributor of market research and business information. Representing the world's top research publishers and analysts, we provide quick and easy access to the best competitive intelligence available. Our unbiased, expert staff will help you find the right research to fit your requirements and your budget. For more information about these or related research reports, please visit our website at http://www.fastmr.com or call us at 1.800.844.8156.