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30.05.10 | Notes Remedies for European laboratories Euro zone crisis begins to impact on the pharmaceutical market and puts the dilemmas facing governments, which until now had been avoided through his powerful budget. Crisis, what crisis? The International IMS Consulting, which specializes in probing the drug market, forecast to October 2009 there will be a global pharmaceutical market growth of 4 to 6% in 2010, based on U$S constant, exceeding 825 U$S billion, led by a strong recovery in the short term the U.S. market. It also predicts a growth of 4-7% by 2013 is expected to expand to U$S 975 billion at that date. This arises has to consider the impact of global macroeconomics, the interrelation between mature and innovative products and the growing influence of health care access and funding of generic drugs following the market demands. Market trends IMS identifies the following elements as forces operating in different directions on the pharmaceutical market in the coming years: The global trend report IMS concluded that a series of events in 2009 that may have long-term effect on the global market and should also be considered. First, the course of health reform in the United States. Second, the pace of legislative regulatory actions in other countries. Third, the magnitude of the pandemic H1N1. And finally, time and magnitude of the global economic recovery. Industry reaction to the European crisis Spain is one of the most important cost countries in the world. While drugs are sold at cheap prices consumption is very high and most are funded with public resources. The government assumes a cost of EUR 13.61 per prescription. For these reasons in the last twelve months, the pharmaceutical expenditure grew by 2.88%. The policy the government has implemented to contain pharmaceutical expenditure has been to control prices and restrict sales listings for products covered by the health system. In recent weeks, as part of the adjustment of government has announced a price cut would involve savings of about 1,000 million Euros. But it is a second policy that comes in addition to trimmings in order of EUR 1,500 under Royal Decree-Law 4/ 2010. In reaction to these policies, the industrial chamber of drugs in Spain (Farmaindustria) warned the government that if it reduces drug prices will cause a "domino effect" similar to that of Greece. They said that this would generate losses, which in 2011 " exceed 10%, also cause "a reduction in the Spanish pharmaceutical market size of around 20%," the loss of 5,000 direct jobs and 20,000, with indirect jobs, and will make third-sector companies have to think about closing. A remedy for people or remedies for the industry? Around here, the option has already been taken long ago. So a retired Spanish has covered their drugs at 100% while the PAMI beneficiaries each year spend a higher percentage of their income on medicines. At the same time, the institution maintains its drug budget frozen by the agreement made with the industry for which waives any regulatory action. But in Europe things are different. If the Spanish industry is now claiming it is not because the viability of your business is in danger. Not at all because I am concerned about the health of citizens. It does this because he knows that at this time their warnings have high political impact. They argue that in a time of recession would be inconsistent to restrict an industry with high added value and significant weight in exports. They also know that makes an important ally, commercial pharmacies, which also reduced and activities are affected by adjustment policies. This puts the government in the face with the dilemma of who to prioritize. Must maintain public access to medicines? (Which involves maintaining low prices and operate on rational choice by restricting the list of products to cover)? Should prioritize economic sector "star" now threatened not only by the crisis but also by the rise of emerging markets outside the old continent? As stated Matthew 6: 24 "No one can serve two masters ...." Either it heals the industry or it heals people.Ricardo Peidro |
IEPS
Instituto de Estudios sobre Políticas de Salud www.ieps.com.ar   |
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