Research and Markets: This Essential Outlook for Medical Devices in Central & Eastern Europe is Now Available

DUBLIN--(Business Wire)--
Research and Markets
(http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/19ff82/the_outlook_for_me) has
announced the addition of the "The Outlook for Medical Devices in Central &
Eastern Europe" report to their offering.

The countries of central and eastern Europe represent a total market of 303
million people and a combined GDP of US$2.5 trillion in 2009

The region is composed of a diverse range of markets, all at different stages of
development. Many of the CEE markets exhibit fast growth rates, and the region
as a whole is expected to grow annually by 9.4%, to reach US$14.2 billion in
2014. Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania are experiencing the highest growth rates,
unlike the sluggish markets of Hungary and Slovakia.

The impact of EU accession on the medical device market: In May 2004, eight of
the CEE markets in question joined the European Union. In January 2007, Romania
and Bulgaria also became full members of the EU. Much of the medical device
legislation within the region has therefore been harmonised with that of the EU,
although countries such as Poland are still in the process of transposing EU
directives into national law. The implementation of GMP is also taking place
across most of the region and the inevitable improvement in the quality of
overall production will lead to a rise in market values.

Multinational interest expands markets: The streamlining of device registration
across the region has made the CEE markets more appealing to foreign firms.
Increased multinational presence and the acquisition of domestic companies will
raise the profile of the markets and encourage further migration into the
region. Although multinationals tend to produce devices within Central and
Eastern Europe largely for export, the products of companies partly-owned by
foreign manufacturers are also destined for local markets.

Modernisation of healthcare facilities and market growth: Most CEE countries are
attempting to decentralise their healthcare systems and are replacing ageing
facilities and equipment. As a result, the value of imports has risen in recent
years, especially in Russia, where imports rose by 61.5% between 2006 and 2007.
Imports are likely to continue rising for the foreseeable future throughout the
region.

Complete quarterly-updated analysis to keep you informed: Now you can easily
evaluate these markets with The Outlook for Medical Devices in Central & Eastern
Europe. Each report provides individual and highly-detailed analysis of each
market, looking at the key regulatory, political, economic and corporate
developments in the wider context of market structure, service and access. The
reports are available individually, or as a discounted collection, and prices
include 4 completely-updated reports sent quarterly which include a
comprehensive appendix providing a wealth of health statistics and over 1600
qualified leads for specialist medical distributors. There are over 65 markets
covered in the worldwide medical device series.

Highlights from the region:

THE REGION Russia, Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia represent
the five largest markets in the region. The Russian market has the potential to
expand much further due to its large population and the national 'Health'
project has increased the demand for medical equipment in the short-term, but
total health expenditure remains low at only 5.3% of GDP. The Balkans are among
the fastest-growing markets in the region. Slovenia is the wealthiest country in
the region, which is able to spend 8.9% of GDP on healthcare expenditure; this
is the second-highest rate, behind only Serbia.

CZECH REPUBLIC The Czech Republic was one of the larger and richer former Soviet
bloc countries to join the EU in May 2004. The market is valued at US$1,481
million in 2009 and its per capita expenditure of US$145 is one of the highest
in the region. Czech medical device regulations are largely in line with EU
standards and EU membership has made the CE mark mandatory for local
manufacturers. The country has a small but skilled manufacturing sector, with
production geared towards the low to medium end of the technology scale.
Domestically produced devices are of increasingly good quality.

POLAND The Polish market is estimated at US$2,015 million in 2009, placing it in
the world's top 20. This impressive market size can be partly attributed to the
population of 38 million, although per capita expenditure is average. Poland has
a strong industrial base but imports around two thirds of its medical devices.
This is similar to the situation in other neighbouring countries, where local
production does not meet the demand for equipment. Market growth is expected to
remain at 8.6% over the next few years.

HUNGARY Hungary is a highly developed Central European market. The recent
loosening of regulations governing the ownership of healthcare facilities has
provided a gateway for private organisations into the healthcare sector. To
date, privatisation has largely been confined to the management of facilities,
although heavier investment in equipment is expected to follow. This will
increase the market size further, as private facilities tend to purchase the
best, and therefore most expensive equipment available. The Hungarian medical
device market stands at US$662 million in 2009 and is expected to reach US$894
million by 2013, assuming that the current annual growth rate of 6.2% is
sustained.

ROMANIA The Romanian market is performing well and expanding at a rate of 7.9%
per annum. Romania joined the EU in January 2007 and has worked hard to meet the
accession requirements. The rate of market growth may increase over the next few
years as the benefits of EU membership are felt. The degree to which the health
sector will improve however, will depend on the coalition government's ability
to curb the political meltdown that has occurred since EU accession and
recommence reforms.

UKRAINE Ukraine is the second largest country in Europe, yet represents only a
small, if fast-growing, medical device market. Per capita expenditure is valued
at only US$5 in 2009 and the market size is an estimated US$249 million. Due to
the growth rate of 6.9% however, the Ukrainian market is expected to reach
US$347 million by 2014. This stands well above the projected US$356 million for
Serbia and US$357 million for Belarus. The rate of reform and privatisation
within the healthcare sector is expected to rise under the current President and
this will in turn boost the market size. .....

Please note: From September 2008 we started to issue the Outlook reports in a
new and improved format. These include the same information as described above
but differently organised to facilitate better presentation of the analysis and
supporting data.

Key Topics Covered:

FOR EVERY MARKET, SENT QUARTERLY

MARKET OUTLOOK

* Current market size
* Unique 5-Year market projections to 2012
* Market outlook
* Market structure
* Statistical data on imports and exports
* Market developments, covering recent and impending developments with respect
to key issues such as regulation, health facilities, funding and
* government policy
* Key national data projections
* International market comparisons

FOR EVERY MARKET, SENT ANNUALLY

BACKGROUND DATA

* Population data, including growth trends and age structure
* Demographic indicators detailing principal causes of death and morbidity

HEALTHCARE SYSTEM

* Organisation & administration
* Health expenditure
* Expenditure by source of funding and type
* Hospital services
* Hospital data such as beds by type, region, specialty, patient admissions and
surgical procedures
* Outpatient care
* Medical personnel
* Data on healthcare professionals covering such areas as doctors by specialty,
nursing staff and dentists

ACCESSING THE MEDICAL MARKET

* Regulatory environment
* Distribution guide and trade fair information
* Domestic production

CONTACT DETAILS

* For healthcare organisations and trade associations

For more information visit
http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/19ff82/the_outlook_for_me

Source: Espicom Business Intelligence Ltd

Laura Wood
Senior Manager
press@researchandmarkets.com
Fax from USA: 646-607-1907
Fax from rest of the world: +353-1-481-1716

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