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 pharmaceutical market in Sweden represents approximately 14.1% of total healthcare expenditure and 1.2% of GDP. Pharmaceutical sector activity is focused around cost containment. As of 1st October 2002, a new independent government agency, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Board (Lakemedelsformansnamnden) was introduced coupled with a new law, the New Pharmaceutical Benefits Reform. The Board's fundamental responsibilities involve the social, medical and economic evaluation of pharmaceuticals to determine their suitability for government subsidy, and it is hoped that the creation of this system will contribute to a more cost-effective public use of medicinal products. This move follows the apparent failure of 1999 revisions to reduce the annual drugs bill.

Privatisation of the distribution sector remains incomplete, with the continued postponement of the privatisation of the pharmaceutical retail company Apoteket AB, owned by the Swedish government, that has the sole right to conduct retail trade in pharmaceuticals in Sweden.