Espicom's in-depth medical device market reports are ideal for executives wanting to understand the key drivers in medical markets and have access to a wealth of statistical data. Each report opens with an outlook section that provides analysis of the market, 5-year market forecasts, national data projections, market outlook and key developments such as regulation, health facilities and government policy. The report also provides extensive background information, population trends, health status, health expenditure, organisation & administration, hospital services, medical personnel, healthcare development, market access information, trade data and essential industry contacts. Included with the report are 3 free quarterly updated outlook reports, enabling you to keep up to date with market developments for a year. Along with Romania, Bulgaria represents one of the least developed European countries of the former Soviet bloc. However, the economy has been subject to ongoing reform since 1997, due to the transfer of power from the Communist Party to more reform-minded governments. The more recent economic reforms were driven by the prospect of EU membership, which was attained in January 2007.

As with national policy, the healthcare system did not improve until the election of a more democratic government in 1997. Health reform projects operational since 2000 have aimed to improve the quality of and access to healthcare and place more emphasis on primary care. National health insurance was introduced in 2000. Although reforms have been well co-ordinated, progress has been hampered by financial problems and outdated information systems.

The huge demand for new medical equipment is not mirrored by the healthcare facilities' ability to pay for it. Hospitals still have large outstanding debts and the government is frequently required to heavily subsidise them. Bulgaria has a number of small medical equipment manufacturers. Production is often of a high scientific standard, in many cases built on decades of Soviet-era research. As elsewhere in Eastern Europe, however, capitalisation remains poor and production is rarely a match for imported equipment.