DUBLIN, Ireland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/395637/belgium_pharmaceut) has announced the addition of the "Belgium Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare Report Q3 2008" report to their offering.

Our Belgium Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare Report provides independent forecasts and competitive intelligence on Belgium's pharmaceuticals and healthcare industry.

Belgium’s pharmaceutical market was worth EUR4.08bn (US$5.6) in 2007 and the author expects steady, if unspectacular growth over the forecast period to 2012. Generics remain the area of major growth potential for the market. 2008 has been relatively quiet in terms of changes in the market environment. Cost containment remains a priority for the Belgian government with a focus on promoting generic prescribing.

Over 40% of prescriptions for reimbursed medicines were for low cost pharmaceuticals in 2007, with 23.54% of the total being generics and 16.69% off-patent originator drugs. Nevertheless the country’s reputation for giving its citizens access to innovative therapies stand strong, with 26 new chemical entities (NCEs) having been added to the reimbursement list in late 2007.

Despite having access to these modern treatments, our Burden of Disease Database (BoDD) has highlighted the impact disease has on the country’s population. Belgium's high number of disabilityadjusted life years (DALYs) lost per capita due to disease makes the country one of the most burdened in Western Europe, ranking 18th. Despite the per capita disease burden reducing significantly by 2030, Belgium is forecasted to remain in equal position in Western Europe. The burden of HIV/AIDS will represent one of the biggest increases in DALYs by 2030, increasing by 65%. Alzheimers and other dementias will also play an increasing burden in line with an ageing population. Meanwhile, the burden of cancer, cardiovascular disease and neuropsychiatric conditions, the countries top three burdens will fall significantly with improved treatment and disease management.

Belgium’s fiscal environment has become more favourable for pharmaceutical companies after the EC finally authorised planned tax exemptions that had been originally devised in 2005. The total reductions should amount to EUR47mn (US$70mn) a year.

Company-wise, local drugmaker Solvay made a conditional tender offer for fellow domestic player Innogenetics in April. In the same month US ophthalmic firm Bausch & Lomb (B&L) announced a strategic research collaboration with Belgian drug discovery company Galapagos NV. Over-the counter (OTC) specialist Omega Pharma posted disappointing financial results in the Belgian market for 2007, however, stronger performance abroad meant the company was still able to increase its global sales by 8%.

Key Topics Covered:

Executive Summary

Belgium Pharmaceuticals And Healthcare Industry SWOT

Belgium Political SWOT

Belgium Economic SWOT

Pharmaceutical Business Environment Ratings

Table: Western Europe Pharmaceutical Business Environment Ratings

Limits Of Potential Returns

Belgium – Market Summary

Regulatory Regime

Intellectual Property Developments

Pricing And Reimbursement Regime

Pricing And Reimbursement Developments

Industry Developments

Healthcare Sector

Recent Healthcare Sector Developments

Epidemiology

Table: Disease Burden In Western Europe

Operating Environment And Recent Company Developments

Generics Sector

Research And Development Sector

Industry Forecast Scenario

Overall Market Forecast

Table: Belgium’s Drug Market Indicators, 2005-2012

Key Growth Factors – Industry

Table: Belgium’s Health Expenditure Indicators, 2005-20 28

Key Growth Factors – Macroeconomic

Table: Belgium - Economic Activity

Patented Market Forecast

Table: Belgium’s Patented Drugs Market Indicators, 2006-2012

OTC Market Forecast

Table: Belgium’s OTC Drugs Market Indicators, 2006-2012 (US$mn unless otherwise stated)

Generics Market Forecast

Table: Belgium’s Generics Drug Market Indicators, 2006-2012

Export/Import Forecasts

Table: Belgium’s Pharmaceuticals Exports And Imports, 2005-2012 (US$mn)

Other Healthcare Data Forecasts

Table: Belgium’s Healthcare Data Indicators, 2005-2012

Key Risks To Our Forecasts

Competitive Landscape

Company Monitor

Leading Multinational Manufacturers

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)

Pfizer

Novartis

Sanofi-Aventis

Merck & Co

Leading Indigenous Manufacturers

UCB Pharma

Solvay

Janssen Pharmaceutica

Omega Pharma

Our Forecast Modelling

How We Generate Our Pharmaceutical Industry Forecasts

Pharmaceutical Industry

Pharmaceutical Business Environment Ratings Methodology

Ratings Overview

Table: Pharmaceutical Business Environment Indicators

Weighting

Table: Weighting Of Components

Sources

Companies Mentioned:

- GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)

- Janssen Pharmaceutica

- Merck & Co

- Novartis

- Omega Pharma

- Pfizer

- Sanofi-Aventis

- Solvay

- UCB Pharma

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/395637/belgium_pharmaceut

Research and Markets
Laura Wood
Senior Manager
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