(PRLEAP.COM) Portugal remains one of the least developed countries within western Europe. Despite the implementation of restructuring programmes, inefficiency within the healthcare sector remains a key concern for the government. Portugal’s GDP per capita is the lowest in the EU-15 at around US$14,410 in 2003. Reform under the new government is set to concentrate on opening the health service to increased private initiative and markedly reducing public expenditure.

Public hospitals are the principal end-users of medical equipment in Portugal, accounting for around 80% of the total market. Public sector procurement is very centralised. Consumables and supplies, including surgical requirements such as sutures and pacemakers, are purchased on a twice yearly basis (April and October) by a central purchasing board acting on behalf of all public hospitals. This practice inevitably leads to very competitive pricing to obtain large orders. The Directorate General for Hospital Construction issues tenders for equipment required for new hospitals. Public hospitals tend to be relatively slow payers, taking an average of eight to nine months to settle bills. Hospitals in the private sector normally use the direct sales method and payment delays rarely occur. The appointment of a local agent for the Portuguese market is essential.

The majority of medical equipment sales are made by specialised importers and distributors. However, there has been a trend for more foreign companies to set up in Portugal to undertake direct control of product distribution. In early 2000, the Portuguese government announced its intention to levy a 0.4% tax on all medical devices.

These medical device market reports are ideal for executives wanting to understand the key drivers in medical markets and have access to a wealth of statistical data. Each report opens with an outlook section that provides analysis of the market, 5-year market forecasts, national data projections, market outlook and key developments such as regulation, health facilities and government policy. The report also provides extensive background information, population trends, health status, health expenditure, organisation & administration, hospital services, medical personnel, healthcare development, market access information, trade data and essential industry contacts. Included with the report are 3 free quarterly updated outlook reports, enabling you to keep up to date with market developments for a year.

Contents
1. Ionisation, Ion Separation and Ion Detection in LC-MS
2. Method Development and Optimisation of LC-MS
3. Quantification Using LC-MS
4. Method Validation Using LC-MS
5. Identification and Confirmation Criteria for LC-MS
6. Systematic Toxicological Analysis with LC-MS
7. Analysis of Therapeutic Drugs with LC-MS
8. LCMS of Drugs of Abuse and Related Compounds
9. LC-MS in Doping Control
10. Pesticide Analysis Using LC-MS
11. Peptide Analysis Using LC-MS
12. LCMS in Forensic Chemistry

“The Medical Device Market: Portugal” is available from Piribo. For more information go to: http://www.piribo.com/publications/country/europe_west/portugal/medical_device_market_portugal.html

Piribo Product ID: ESP947

About Piribo.
Piribo is a UK-based independent online store supplying business information on the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. The website now carries over 3,800 English language titles including, market reports, studies and books and is the UK’s largest online biopharma information store. Subscribers receive a free monthly newsletter and email alerts on new titles in their areas of interest. The company was established in 2004.