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. Peru is often overlooked when discussing the rapid-growth economies of South America. While it has neither the size nor the wealth of Brazil or Argentina, the country has a population which will exceed 30 million in the next few years, and has recorded strong economic growth for much of the 1990s. Per capita wealth has risen, especially in and around Lima. This has led to the emergence of a sizeable urban population which demands improved healthcare, and increasingly has the ability to pay for it.

The appointment of a local agent will be essential in Peru, since the Peruvian government only issues tenders to local distributors. There is a large number of these. Most are small and generalist in nature, distributing pharmaceuticals and other health-related products in addition to medical equipment. A number of multinationals have established local marketing and sales subsidiaries in Peru. These include 3M, Abbott, Baxter, Bayer, Becton Dickinson, B. Braun, Fresenius, J&J, Kodak and Philips.

Local agents must be registered on the Registro Unificado de Contribuciones (RUC). All MINSA purchases valued over US$100,000 are put out to public tender. ESSALUD has its own procurement office which issues tenders. For example, in January 2002, ESSALUD announced a major US$100 million tender for medical equipment. There is little direct hospital purchasing in the public sector, although some ESSALUD facilities may make small purchases individually.

While Peru is a large country with a difficult geography, much of the country's wealth, and most of its best private/public medical facilities, is based in the capital, Lima. It is therefore in Lima where the majority of agents and best commercial opportunities will be found. Peru levies customs duties of 12% on imports and a further 18% sales tax.