Rising Disease Prevalence Boosts Mexican Healthcare Industry

-- The Government's efforts to ensure universal coverage increase public healthcare expenditures

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina, March 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Unhealthy and sedentary lifestyles as well as increased consumption of manufactured food have taken a toll on the general health ofMexico's population, causing a spurt in diseases. From 2011 to 2030, the country's diabetic population is expected to increase by 2.3 percent per year, which is higher than the 2.1 percent average for the top 10 countries with the biggest population of diabetics.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (http://www.healthcare.frost.com(http://www.frost.com/prod/servlet/svcg.pag/HCAM )), Healthcare Landscape, Outlook, and Growth Opportunities in Mexico 2011-2015, finds that the healthcare market was worth an estimated $18.15 billion in 2011 and this is expected to grow to $22.66 billion by 2015.

"Healthcare expenditure, as a percentage of the Mexican Gross Domestic Product (GDP), increased from 5.8 percent in 2008 to 13.8 percent in 2011, at a compound annual growth rate of 33.5 percent," said Frost & Sullivan Industry Analyst Federico Baguear. "This represents a huge opportunity for pharmaceutical companies to develop specific drugs for the most prominent pathologies and for their prevention."

Medical devices and mobile Health will cover the needs of the population reached by pathologies like diabetes, which allow patients to perform self-assessments evaluations through glucometers, thermometers and cardiac rhythm monitoring among others.

From 2010 and 2017, pharmaceutical patent expiries for a value of $150.0 billion will create significant opportunities for generics and biosimilars. Mexico is already the second-largest pharmaceutical market in Latin America, and ranks sixth among seven emerging countries: Brazil, India, Turkey, Mexico, Russia, South Korea, and China.

Like most countries in Latin America, the government is addressing the population's healthcare needs. Approximately 52 percent of the total population is covered by public health insurance, positioning Mexico as a leader in the region.

"Since 2009, the federal government has been focused on universal coverage and the improvement of public services to reduce out-of-pocket expenditures, which decreased from 57 percent in 2000 to 47 percent in 2011," noted Baguear. "Public investment in universal access to healthcare includes the acquisition of particular medicines to treat specific Mexican disease profiles."

The country is currently the fifth-largest exporter of medical devices in the world, and the principal provider to the U.S. market. Its competitive prices and favorable geographic location will also go a long way in making Mexico a global hub for medical tourism, and attract higher investments.

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