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New frontiers for pharma: Growing markets in eastern Europe, India and China
11 Aug 2008
Globalisation has turned the world's emerging economies into great opportunities in the pharmaceutical sector, for both companies and candidates. Outsourcing is becoming big business for local pharma companies as some of the Western big pharma firms seek to exploit developments in eastern Europe, China and India. In the fast-paced and competitive arena this industry promises, candidates with ambition and a sense of adventure could surely look no further.
This is such a hot and important topic that it was discussed again at the Global R&D Congress in May earlier this year, under the heading Strategic Planning for Discovery, Development and Clinical Operations in China, India and other Emerging Regions.
According to some reports, eastern European countries who have recently become members of the EU have experienced steady growth over the last two decades and a lot of money has been put into building scientific facilities. PricewaterhouseCoopers described the region as "an increasingly attractive place in which to carry out pharmaceutical development and manufacturing".
Recently Dendrite and Medical Data Management collaborated to provide a one-stop service, according to the Laboratory Talk website. This encompasses sales and service solutions, physician databases, market research, on-demand training, sales force services and performance support. Such developments make it clear that opportunities do not end with research and development.
The website noted that about 15,000 pharma sales representatives work in central and eastern Europe, while it predicts "double-digit growth" for this sector in the future.
For the UK-based candidate looking to work abroad, eastern Europe is an attractive destination for many reasons, with similarities in culture, religion and language, as well as proximity to the UK, among the desirable factors. These are also lures to the other two emerging economies that are looking healthy for pharma, namely China and India.
India in particular is moving towards becoming a centre for data management, while some reports indicate that due to improved legislation China is becoming more popular for ongoing clinical trials.
According to All Business, the seven major pharma markets globally have slowed in growth over the last few years. But India and China have experienced an increase of about 22 per cent, possibly fuelled by the market for cheap generics and the need on the part of big pharma to increase profits and reduce costs.
India has an estimated 20,000 pharma companies, according to figures published by The Scientist. Local scientists and other pharma professionals are well-educated, but Pharma Focus Asia has noted that these companies benefit greatly from workers with experience in Europe. British employees can be a great asset to an ambitious home-grown company.
Marcel Velterop, head of marketing and business development for pharma firm Dr Reddy's, told the website: "There is a strong work ethic in India and people don't shy away from working long days. This makes for a very easy experience for Western companies."
Big pharma also has its own presence in these emerging markets. Duncan B Judd, head of chemistry services outsourcing at GlaxoSmithKline Research and Development, recently told pharmabiz about the firm's decision to open two collaborations in Mumbai and Bangalore, India, saying it has found a "lot of potential" in these emerging markets.
"We have wealth of options and hence focusing on collaborations that have maximum value," he added.
Last year Novartis AG opened its sixth facility in Changshu, east China, dedicated to drug production and development, according to Asia Times. Many of the top and medium-sized pharma companies are already heavily involved in work in eastern Europe.
Forward thinking candidates eager to be part of the exciting developments in these counties should consider skills and training, especially in the realm of transferable skills and language. With the rise of China as a world power, for example, Mandarin is becoming a popular and useful language to learn that often includes essential cultural tips for business relationships.
The message, quite clearly, is "look east".