2012-09-04 08:49:52 - Fast Market Research recommends "Belarus Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare Report Q3 2012" from Business Monitor International, now available

BMI View: The short-term outlook for the Belarusian pharmaceutical market is deeply uncertain due to exchange-rate volatility and the economy's lack of capacity for progress without fundamental reforms though Russian financial support, in exchange for market access, may keep it ticking over. However, aside from some public statements about Chinese and Indian investments, which BMI regards with scepticism, foreign pharmaceutical players will stay out of Belarus until the economy reaches a new equilibrium. In addition, despite the existence of a Customs Union with Russia and Kazakhstan, the country is isolated from international trade flows by Russia's accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO). There is an argument that foreign retail, wholesale or production players could find a bargain under current

circumstances. But potential meddling by the state, in particular by President Alexander Lukashenko, who plays a personal role in most foreign investment decisions, complicates even this process.


Full Report Details at
- www.fastmr.com/prod/451223_belarus_pharmaceuticals_healthcare_re ..


Headline Expenditure Projections

* Pharmaceuticals: BRB3,598bn in 2011 (US$692mn) to BRB5,075bn (US$634mn) in 2012; +41.0% in local currency terms and -8.4%% in US dollar terms. US dollar forecast upgraded from Q212 on the basis of updated data.
* Healthcare: BRB12,775bn (US$2.46bn) in 2011 to BRB16,305bn (US$2.04bn) in 2012; +27.6% in local currency terms and -17.1% in US dollar terms. US dollar forecast virtually unchanged since Q212.
* Medical Devices: BRB2,174bn (US$418mn) in 2011 to BRB3,067bn (US$383mn); +41.1% in local currency terms and -8.4% in US dollar terms. US dollar value substantially upgraded on the basis of new data.

Risk/Reward Rating: Belarus ranks 18th of 20 Central and Eastern European (CEE) markets again this quarter. Its ranking is a result of its poor - and still worsening - economic and political prospects. We are pessimistic that any incremental reforms will take place in the foreseeable future. The most likely scenario is continued status quo, with the country increasingly mortgaged to the Russian state, or a period of prolonged unrest, with consequent instability.

Key Trends And Developments

* Alongside devaluation, another potential blow to primarily foreign companies selling over-thecounter (OTC) medicines in Belarus was dealt by its parliament considering a ban on all advertisement of pharmaceuticals. The ban appears to include drugs on the OTC product list. While a similar move in neighbouring Ukraine has not been successful, BMI suspects this ban might have greater success, not least because the government has shown little willingness to promote the sector and advertising benefits primarily imported, branded products. On a more positive note, Remedium.ru reported in June that the Belarusian authorities had approved a new list of prescription-only and OTC drugs, with a 20% increase in registered OTC medicines, which now total 3,279.
* In May, local newswire Belta reported that the Belarusian authorities have invited Chinese firms to 'cooperate' in the production of pharmaceuticals and medical equipment. The country has also reached out the government of the city of St Petersburg, a Russian drug production hub, to seek investment and technology transfer. BMI remains sceptical of such calls for cooperation and memorandums of intent, which are common in many CIS states, but rarely yield concrete, valueadded projects.
* Against our expectations that Belarus's currency crisis would lead to slower pharmaceutical imports in 2011, full-year trade data released in May has shown imports reached BRB2,908bn (US$559.5mn) in 2011, up 8.2% in US dollar terms and equal to an 88.7% increase in local currency terms. Exports for the year were also higher than expected, totalling BRB630.9bn (US$121.4mn), with growth of 7.7% in US dollar terms and 87.9% in local currency terms. BMI is sceptical about the data, although it could represent stockpiling by distributors. During 2011, the consumer price index across the Belarusian economy averaged 59.3% and the Belarusian ruble lost more than half its value.

BMI Economic View: We continue to forecast real GDP growth of just 3.6% in Belarus this year, down from 5.3% in 2011 owing to the knock-on effects of the country's recent financial crisis and our expectation for the authorities not to resort to expansionary policy prematurely. If the government was to push for a significant fiscal boost this year, it could serve to reignite inflationary concerns and currency instability further down the line, in turn sacrificing future growth for near-term gains.

BMI Political View: Belarus's ongoing isolation from the EU will continue moving the country closer, both politically and economically, to Russia. While economic support from Moscow is mitigating immediate financing concerns for Minsk, there are sizeable risks associated with Belarus becoming overly dependent on its ex-Soviet neighbour in the long term. In the near term, authorities must avoid a premature return to expansionary policy to boost growth, given that the country's macroeconomic stabilisation remains fragile at this stage.

About Business Monitor International

Business Monitor International (BMI) offers a comprehensive range of products and services designed to help senior executives, analysts and researchers assess and better manage operating risks, and exploit business opportunities, across 175 markets. BMI offers three main areas of expertise: Country Risk BMI's country risk and macroeconomic forecast portfolio includes weekly financial market reports, monthly regional Monitors, and in-depth quarterly Business Forecast Reports. Industry Analysis BMI covers a total of 17 industry verticals through a portfolio of services, including in-depth quarterly Country Forecast Reports. View more research from Business Monitor International at www.fastmr.com/catalog/publishers.aspx?pubid=1010

About Fast Market Research

Fast Market Research is an online aggregator and distributor of market research and business information. We represent the world's top research publishers and analysts and provide quick and easy access to the best competitive intelligence available.

For more information about these or related research reports, please visit our website at www.fastmr.com or call us at 1.800.844.8156.