Espicom's in-depth pharmaceutical market reports are ideal for executives wanting to understand the key drivers in pharmaceutical 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, pricing/reimbursement, intellectual property, 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 for raw materials and finished products 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 Egyptian pharmaceutical market is the largest in the region, worth an estimated US$2.1 billion in 2007. Pharmaceutical sector activity centres around two major areas: the introduction of WTO TRIPS-compliant legislation on intellectual property rights, and the state of the drug pricing system. These issues have caused much friction between the government, local producers and multinationals; local producers face challenges complying with IP laws.

Egypt is a leading exporter to Arab, Asian and African regions, although exports have declined in recent years. Rising costs for imported raw materials, due to currency depreciation, have acted as a brake on local production. Annual market growth is around 5.0% in US dollar terms.

Privatisation is a growing trend within the Egyptian healthcare industry, thus the sector is undergoing considerable change. Prior to the 1990s, the sector was predominantly State-controlled, with the private sector playing only a minimal role in the provision of healthcare.

The private sector now plays an increasingly important role in healthcare provision, emerging largely as a result of the declining standard of public sector care. Out-of-pocket payments for drugs have also increased in recent years.