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. Serbia has overcome many of the political and economic problems it faced following the break-up of the former Yugoslavia. Although challenges still exist for the Serbian government, a number of developments have assisted Serbia in strengthening its economy and political stability. The government is Western-leaning and actively seeking membership of the EU, NATO and the World Trade Organisation. Serbia declared its independence from Montenegro in June 2006. Serbia has an estimated population of 7.4 million, of which 15.0% are aged 65 years or over.

The healthcare system remains in a poor condition. It is over-resourced in terms of medical personnel and much of its equipment is outdated. Nevertheless, improvements are gradually taking place with foreign investment, such as loans from the European Agency for Reconstruction, helping to refurbish or develop new health centres. The private healthcare sector is slowly expanding, although currently it only serves a wealthy minority.

Serbia has a small pharmaceutical industry, although this is expected to expand as manufacturers begin to operate in accordance with GMP standards, making their products more appealing to Western Europe. Fluctuations in the value of exports have been replaced by a steady increase that began in 2001. In January 2003, the Icelandic company Actavis purchased a 70% stake in Zdravlje, the third largest pharmaceutical company in Serbia. This has opened up new markets for products made by Zdravlje and will strengthen the generics manufacturing base already established in Serbia.