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. Germany is the third largest pharmaceutical market in the world and the largest in Europe. Although the domestic consumption of pharmaceuticals is being constrained by government policy, the export market continues to expand. Germany also has the largest generic market in Europe. Recent EIU data suggests that German economic growth is minimal, which is also slowing growth in other European countries. Although domestic growth may be sluggish, exports are continuing to increase across many economic sectors.

Major healthcare reforms were introduced in January 2004 and further reforms introduced in July 2007. One of the aims was to reduce the average contribution rate to health insurance companies. Another was to reduce overall pharmaceutical expenditure, especially by the statutory health insurance (GKV). In both of these objectives, the government can claim some success.

The German pharmaceutical industry is under severe price constraints and methods imposed by the government to limit pharmaceutical expenditure. As a result of the decrease in VAT, the pharmaceutical market is expected to experience moderate growth in the coming years. The German Pharmacists Association and the Federation of German Pharmacist Associations (ABDA) are the central regulatory pharmacist organisations. The principal distribution channels are public (retail) and hospital pharmacies. OTC products are available at health food stores, supermarkets and other retail stores. The majority of public pharmacies are supplied by pharmaceutical wholesalers. The five largest wholesalers account for around 85% of the wholesaler market.

Pharmaceutical production in Germany accounts for around 10% of the world pharmaceutical output and was the largest pharmaceutical exporter in 2005. Germany remains a strong base for R&D activities, with 14.6% of sales being reinvested into R&D.

In Germany, innovative pharmaceuticals are still prescribed less frequently than in other European countries, per-capita sales are in the middle range in Europe, and the pharmaceutical market exhibits only below-average growth in an international comparison.