Malaysia Likely To Be A Leader In The Global Pharmaceutical Industry, Says Frost & Sullivan
Ms. Lin Hui Tham, Consultant of Healthcare Asia Pacific at Frost & Sullivan, shared her predictions for the year ahead across the pharmaceutical markets in Malaysia. This briefing will include a detailed analysis of individual pharmaceutical segments, Malaysian pharmaceutical sector, drivers and challenges in 2008 and an overall industry outlook of the Malaysian and the Asia Pacific region.
Malaysia is expected to see a definite rise in the pharmaceutical industry in 2008. This is through increasing numbers of pharmaceutical manufacturers that have sought to outsource or in-license their operations. From then moving onto big pharmaceutical companies that have began to outsource clinical work to contract research organizations (CROs) and also locate the clinical trials in the most cost-competitive sites. This can only be done if there are sufficient medical research capabilities available. Its future market trends are shifting towards generics consumption as well as biotech and specialist driven therapy. Hence, the opportunity for healthcare companies venturing into Malaysia looks bright. This in return enables the country to expand its global footprint in the Asia Pacific healthcare industry.
Malaysia's healthcare growth spending rate was 5th in ranking, behind Philippines, India, South Korea, and China. Malaysia is considered small in population size in comparison to the other 4 countries. But the healthcare spending of Malaysians are incredibly high, reflecting the trend of Malaysians towards a healthy lifestyle. Hence this opens big opportunities for pharmaceutical companies to gear up their manufacturing in order to meet the increasing demands of healthcare products.
"Malaysia's pharmaceutical industry has become increasingly reputable. Therefore the key drivers that are building the reputation globally are medical tourism, the generic market, specialist driven therapy market, dietary supplement market and herbal or traditional medicines" said Lin Hui.
"Frost & Sullivan estimates that by 2013, the industry will be valued at about US$1800 M, growing at a CAGR of 10.5% boosted by changing demographics and rising healthcare expectations. Malaysia's increase in export value has made the country a member of the Pharmaceutical Inspection Co-operation Scheme (PICS). The Pharmaceutical industry in Malaysia is mainly dominated by the MNCs," she added.
Lin Hui added that Malaysia has actively been exporting to its neighbouring countries to gain growth revenue. The total export in 2004 amounted to US$131 M. These were just mainly for locally manufactured pharmaceutical products. The export from Malaysia for the vitamin market currently covers more than 30 countries including Africa and Central America. Also, major export destinations are Singapore Vietnam, Brunei, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan and Germany.
The Malaysian government has played a big role in providing initiatives to the pharmaceutical industry. Grants and financing schemes has been provided to support R&D initiatives, pharmaceutical inspection co-operation scheme (PICS), the industrial master plan 3 (IMP3, 2006-2020) and the Malaysia's Intellectual Property Laws. Various types of incentives have also been given and put into good use.
She added that at present, there are various market opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry for one to look at. The Biotechnology industry is expanding at an exciting rate. The Bio-Generic industry which is relatively unexplored is estimated to grow at an annual average of more than US$16 B by 2011. Malaysia is targeted to lead (one of a few countries) the herbal market, thus numerous incentives such as research grants are being offered to local companies in this market. Lastly, the vitamin sector has scored great progress in the last few years. The vitamin and dietary supplements market for Malaysia reached US$ 131 M in 2006. Hence, further enhanced growth is to be seen in 2008.
Those interested in participating in the webinar should send an email to Shereen Gill – Corporate Communications at shereen.gill@frost.com with the following information: title of analyst briefing, full name, media/company name, title, telephone number, email address and country. The registration details will be emailed to you upon receipt of the above information.
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SOURCE: Frost & Sullivan