The Outlook for Medical Device Markets in Western Europe is published by Espicom Business Intelligence. Each report provides an 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. 11 Key Markets Covered!
Austria, Belgium, France, Germany,
Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal,
Spain, Switzerland and United Kingdom. GERMANY
Germany is the third largest medical device market in the world, accounting for 6.4% of the total world market and ranking behind the USA and Japan. In 2006, the German medical device market was estimated at US$11.8 billion, equal to US$143 per capita.

Germany has a history of producing high quality medical equipment. Approximately 85% of domestic production is exported to a wide range of countries. Government funding of hospitals in recent years has remained static, therefore hospitals are maintaining existing equipment rather than investing in new appliances. This has led to domestic producers becoming increasingly reliant on the export market.

FRANCE
France is the world's fourth largest medical device market, behind the USA, Japan and Germany. The continuing deficit of the national health insurance funds, which finance the majority of health expenditure, has prompted a series of reform programmes for the health sector, the latest of which was approved by Parliament in July 2004. New measures have recently been taken to control spending on medical devices, similar to those already in force for pharmaceuticals. For this reason, the medical market is only likely to see moderate growth over the next few years.

Prospects for medical equipment manufacturers remain promising as a result of several initiatives intended to allow France to make good its shortfall in some equipment areas, most notably imaging and radiotherapy equipment, as part of a ten billion euro hospital investment programme. The medical manufacturing industry has seen an influx of foreign companies; most larger manufacturers are now subsidiaries of multinational groups.

ITALY
The provision of healthcare in Italy, in common with other western European countries, is advanced, with universal access. Being initially based on the NHS-model of the UK, the Italian health service is also facing similar scenarios, most notably efforts to restrain rising costs. In an effort to increase efficiency in the healthcare sector, the use of an electronic ‘health card' is being tested in Northern Italy. This is similar to the system recently introduced in Austria.

The Ministry of Health has recently embarked on a programme of large-scale investment in the health service. Investment is being linked to certain standards within healthcare provision; in particular is the new focus on preventative care. With the increased levels of investment it is also hoped that there will be parity in provision throughout the regions and that by linking investment to certain standards, disparity will be removed.

UNITED KINGDOM
The UK has one of the largest medical device markets in the world, valued at US$7.6 billion in 2006. The domestic market is the third largest in Europe behind Germany and France. Per capita expenditure is, by comparison, much lower and is similar to that of Belgium.

Increased government funding is guaranteed until 2008; a spending review is planned for 2007 but it is unlikely that the current levels of expenditure will remain, which will allow the private sector to develop further.

The growth of the UK medical device market is predominantly import-led as many domestic manufacturers are not able to rapidly adjust to changes in demand. This led to a trade deficit for the third year in succession in 2004. FOR EVERY MARKET M
SENT QUARTERLY

MARKET OUTLOOK
Current market size
Unique 5-Year market projections to 2012
Market outlook
Market structure
Statistical data on imports and exports
Market developments, covering recent and impending developments with respect to key issues such as regulation, health facilities, funding and
government policy
Key national data projections
International market comparisons

FOR EVERY MARKET

BACKGROUND DATA
Population data, including growth trends and age structure
Demographic indicators detailing principal causes of death and morbidity

HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
Organisation & administration
Health expenditure
Expenditure by source of funding and type
Hospital services
Hospital data such as beds by type, region, specialty, patient admissions and surgical procedures
Outpatient care
Medical personnel
Data on healthcare professionals covering such areas as doctors by specialty, nursing staff and dentists

ACCESSING THE MEDICAL MARKET
Regulatory environment
Distribution guide and trade fair information
Domestic production

CONTACT DETAILS
For healthcare organisations and trade
associations