Australian Pharmaceutical Market Remains Heavily Reliant on Imported Drugs

Business Wire, Nov 6, 2006

DUBLIN, Ireland -- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c44523) has announced the addition of Espicom Business Intelligence's: Australia Pharmaceutical Market Intelligence Report to their offering.

This in-depth report provides an invaluable mix of vital market data and background information, including five-year market projections. The report comprises four main sections:

1.) Pharmaceutical Market Outlook

2.) Background Data

3.) Healthcare System

4.) Accessing the Pharmaceutical Market.

Report sections are dynamically updated, being re-issued when market developments demand it.

Australia represents a highly advanced pharmaceutical market. The country has an advanced healthcare system and demand for all types of pharmaceuticals is high. Prices in Australia tend to be low for a developed country, principally due to tight public pricing and reimbursement regulations through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). The PBS has come under attack from the multinational industry, and the US government has pressed for greater transparency as part of negotiations for the Free Trade Agreement which took effect in 2005. The Australian government has, however, consistently affirmed that alterations to the PBS have not been part of any deal.

Australia has a small but growing domestic industry, augmented by the presence of many multinational producers. The market remains heavily reliant on imported drugs, however; local R&D has yet to reach significant proportions, despite continuing government incentives. The majority of pharmaceutical imports are sourced from the European Union. Low prices for branded products mean that generics are not yet widely used.

Domestic Producers include the following:

- Alphapharm

- AMRAD Corporation

- AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd.

- Commonwealth Serum Laboratories (CSL)

- Eli Lilly Australia Pty Ltd.

- GlaxoSmithKline Australia

- Hamilton Pharmaceutical Pty Ltd. (Hamilton Laboratories)

- Mayne Group

- Pan Pharmaceuticals (now Sphere Healthcare)

- Sigma Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd

- Stiefel Laboratories Pty Ltd

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c44523

Source: Espicom Business Intelligence