New Healthcare research report from Business Monitor International is now available from Fast Market Research

Boston, MA -- (SBWire) -- 06/03/2014 --Pakistan remains one of the least attractive markets in the Asia Pacific region to pharmaceutical and healthcare investment. We project that a lack of government support for pharmaceutical research and development, and an ineffective regulatory regime, will continue to deter multinational firms over the long term. We note that, with the non-communicable disease burden - particularly that of diabetes - set to rise, considerable investment in healthcare will be required to bring standards in line with the rest of the region.

Headline Expenditure Projections

View Full Report Details and Table of Contents

- Pharmaceuticals: PKR209.43bn (USD2.06bn) in 2013 to PRK231.22bn (USD2.29bn) in 2014; +10.4% in local currency terms and +11.0% in US dollar terms. Forecast upwardly revised in US dollar terms.
- Healthcare: PKR581.62bn (USD5.73bn) in 2013 to PKR657.74bn (USD6.51bn) in 2013; +13.1% in local currency terms and +13.7% in US dollar terms. Forecast in US dollar terms upwardly revised from previous quarter.

Risk/Reward Ratings: We have revised Pakistan's Pharmaceutical Risk/Reward Rating (RRR) score for Q314 slightly downwards to 39.3 out of 100. As a result its place in our rankings has fallen to 16th, from 15th previously, out of the 19 markets in the Asia Pacific region.

Key Trends & Developments

February

Mian Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman, the finance minister of Punjab, Pakistan, announced that the government plans to spend PKR102bn (USD958.8mn) on primary and protective healthcare in the province in 2014. The protective healthcare programmes will save children from epidemic, communicable and non-communicable diseases, according to Shuja-ur-Rehman. The government will launch a comprehensive mother and child healthcare programme worth PKR2bn (USD18.8mn) focussing on the health of infants and mothers. The government is also appointing gynaecologists at public sector hospitals in the province, Shuja-ur-Rehman added. It will also issue health cards worth PKR4bn (USD37.6mn) to individuals on low incomes.

March

Increasing diabetes prevalence is posing challenges for policymakers in Pakistan. More than 250 people die in the country every day due to diabetes. More than 6.7mn people are currently estimated to have diabetes, and it is expected that this number will double over the next 25 years. Of all people with diabetes, only about 50% are diagnosed. Of those diagnosed, 50% receive treatment, with only 30% of diagnosed cases achieving treatment targets. Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk is investing in several training and education programmes in Pakistan in an effort to improve diabetes awareness. CEO Lars Rebien Sorensen said that he expects 'a simmering of interest for Pakistan among Danish businesses. After Pakistan obtained GSP Plus status, I am also confident that more Pakistani companies will make inroads in the Danish market', reports The News.

About Fast Market Research
Fast Market Research is a leading distributor of market research and business information. Representing the world's top research publishers and analysts, we provide quick and easy access to the best competitive intelligence available. Our unbiased, expert staff is always available to help you find the right research to fit your requirements and your budget. For more information about these or related research reports, please visit our website at http://www.fastmr.com or call us at 1.800.844.8156.

Browse all Healthcare research reports at Fast Market Research

You may also be interested in these related reports:

- Thailand Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare Report Q3 2014
- Nigeria Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare Report Q3 2014
- Australia Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare Report Q3 2014
- Central America Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare Report Q3 2014
- Mexico Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare Report Q3 2014
- Croatia Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare Report Q3 2014
- Latvia Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare Report Q3 2014
- Algeria Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare Report Q3 2014
- Kenya Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare Report Q3 2014
- Hungary Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare Report Q3 2014