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Generic Infectious Disease Pharmaceuticals Offer Potential in Sub-Saharan Africa

Posted on: Thursday, 13 March 2008, 06:00 CDT

The markets for generic infectious disease pharmaceuticals in sub-Saharan Africa hold considerable potential. Despite high levels of poverty and market price sensitivity, the region has a large and growing population that is increasingly able to pay for better health services and pharmaceutical products.

New analysis from growth consulting company Frost & Sullivan (http://www.pharma.frost.com) finds that the Infectious Disease Pharmaceutical Markets in Key Sub-Saharan African Countries earned revenues of USD 403.2 million in 2006 and estimates this to reach USD 691.4 million in 2012.

"The infectious disease pharmaceuticals markets in Nigeria, Kenya and Tanzania are in a growth stage," notes Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Tiwonge Mkandawire. "This is a result not only of government expansion of treatment programmes, but also a general increase in demand due to improving economic conditions."

The large and growing population in the region provides a suitable base for the distribution of sizeable volumes of infectious disease pharmaceuticals. International donor organisations have committed themselves to providing support for the expansion of HIV and malaria treatment programmes in Kenya, Tanzania and Nigeria. Such increases in donor funding are acting as key drivers in the growth of these markets.

Price sensitivity because of the high levels of poverty is however restraining the distribution of branded products. This is exacerbated by governmental regulations that allow compulsory licensing and parallel importation as a means of controlling the cost of medicines in the region.

"Counterfeit pharmaceuticals pose considerable competition to legal products," comments Mkandawire. "Despite efforts by relevant drug regulatory authorities to control them, counterfeit products still constitute a challenge. In some cases, the value of these illegal drug markets is as much as that of the legal markets."

Price sensitivity and the general preference for low-cost products by both public and private sector end users are increasing the demand for generic pharmaceuticals. Accordingly, pharmaceutical companies will benefit from establishing plants or distribution points in regional economic hubs, such as Kenya and Nigeria. These can then be used as focal points for the distribution of generic pharmaceuticals into surrounding countries.

If you are interested in a virtual brochure, which provides manufacturers, end users, and other industry participants with an overview of the investment analysis and growth opportunities in the Infectious Disease Pharmaceutical Markets in Key Sub-Saharan African Countries, then send an e-mail to Patrick Cairns, Corporate Communications, at patrick.cairns@frost.com, with your full name, company name, title, telephone number, fax number, and e-mail address. Upon receipt of the above information, an overview will be sent to you by e-mail.

Infectious Disease Pharmaceutical Market in Key Sub-Saharan African Countries is part of the Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Growth Partnership Service Programme, which also includes research in the following markets: strategic assessment of the healthcare industry in key Sub-Saharan African countries, the regulatory environment for pharmaceutical products and medical devices in key Sub-Saharan African countries and strategic analysis of the oncology services market in Sub-Saharan Africa. All research included in subscriptions provide detailed market opportunities and industry trends that have been evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants. Interviews with the press are available.

Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Consulting Company, partners with clients to accelerate their growth. The company's Growth Partnership Services, Growth Consulting and Career Best Practices empower clients to create a growth focused culture that generates, evaluates and implements effective growth strategies. Frost & Sullivan employs over 45 years of experience in partnering with Global 1000 companies, emerging businesses and the investment community from more than 30 offices on six continents. For more information about Frost & Sullivan's Growth Partnerships, visit http://www.frost.com.

Infectious Disease Pharmaceutical Markets in Key Sub-Saharan African Countries

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Source: Business Wire

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