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. Although Norway is not part of the European Union, the process for pharmaceutical registration has been aligned to EU regulations. The relative ease of entry to the Norwegian market has enabled foreign companies to set up manufacturing plants, especially since the increased transparency in the pharmaceutical pricing structure.

The pharmaceutical market is estimated to grow by 3.0% per annum to reach US$3.0 billion by 2012. Due to the small scale of domestic production, increase in demand is likely to be met by imports. In 2005, imports were US$1.3 billion, an increase of 11.8% over 2004 and 84.1% over 2001.

Since generic substitution was established in 2001, generic drugs have been able to gain an increasing share of the market, in terms of value and volume. In 2005, generics had 30.5% of sales and 54.2% of the market by volume.

In an effort to avert an impending financial crisis many hospitals will be facing some hard decisions, particularly those in the southern part of Norway. It is estimated that a loss of NOK1.1 billion (US$165 million) will be posted by taxpayer-funded hospitals for 2005.

By transferring hospital ownership to the state in 2002, patients are having to wait less time for treatment, making savings due to increased efficiency.