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. In 2006, the Finnish pharmaceutical market was estimated to be worth US$3.7 billion, equal to 23.4% of healthcare expenditure and 1.9% of estimated GDP. The market is equivalent in size to Argentina, yet is on a par with Switzerland in terms of per capita expenditure. Pharmaceutical per capita expenditure in 2006 is US$699.

The principal regulatory body in Finland is the National Agency for Medicines (NAM), operating under the Ministry for Social Affairs and Health. All pharmaceutical products, available on the domestic market and exported, must receive authorisation from NAM. NAM regulations stipulate conditions on the basis of quality, safety and effectiveness.

The principal authority regarding application for reimbursable status is the Pharmaceutical Pricing Board, affiliated to the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. Other matters concerning reimbursable status are dealt with by the Social Insurance Institution (SII).

The NAM is viewed as a respected agency in the Mutual Recognition Procedure and is the leading agency in the EU as a reference state in the role of marketing authorisations.

The vast majority of imports are in the form of retail medicaments, accounting for 92.9% of the US$1.7 billion of pharmaceuticals imported from a wide range of countries in 2005. Pharmaceutical exports amounted to US$708 million, indicating that much of the market is import driven.