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. The Russian Federation forms the major part of the former USSR. Despite its vast size and large population, the country remains in a political and economic limbo; the old Soviet system has been comprehensively torn down, but serious and sustained market reforms have yet to take place. Russia's political system, public administration, tax system and legal framework all remain badly flawed, resulting in widespread corruption and inefficiency. Economic growth was never strong during the 1990s, with the crisis of 1998 severely denting the country's international credibility. Since 1998, the economy has performed better than expected, although this is more to do with high oil prices and currency movements than any sustained structural improvement.

Healthcare in Russia remains in a poor state. Public hospitals and polyclinics face severe funding shortages and a population in seemingly ever-poorer health. Much equipment used in hospitals is obsolete, although this is gradually being replaced under the national ‘health' project. Local manufacturers have the advantage of being cheap, but are unable to compete with imported products in terms of quality. Domestic production tends to focus on low-tech products; expensive imports therefore meet much of the demand for more advanced equipment. Russia's size means its medical equipment market will always be worth considering, but per capita expenditure is very low.

The Russian market is geographically vast, although much of the country's wealth is centred on the major cities of Moscow and St Petersburg. A strong presence in these cities will be essential for reaching markets and dealing with government bureaucracy. Most healthcare facilities operate within the public sector, so the Health Ministry is a prime contact, at both a central and regional level. The appointment of a local agent is equally essential, in order to clear legal and regulatory hurdles, although a number of agents may be required to cover other parts of the country. It is possible for an importer to establish direct operations in Russia, although this remains fraught with legal and economic uncertainty. Joint ventures are also relatively rare. Russia is also the best way of approaching the ex-Soviet markets of the Caucasus and central Asia, although these remain severely underdeveloped at present.