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Executive Summary
Over 80% of medical equipment expenditures in Portugal are made by the public sector, while 20% of sales are made to the private sector. The market for medical equipment has improved in recent years and is expected increased opportunities for exporters in the United States (U.S.). Prices are of primary importance in all purchasing decisions, both by the public and private sectors.
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Market Entry
To enter the Portuguese medical equipment market, U.S. suppliers should be familiar with the European Union (EU) directives concerning registration, CE mark, marketing, and health/safety standards required. U.S. suppliers should also be aware of regulations that are specific to Portugal, as it is considered one of the strictest countries in the EU. It is therefore advisable to work with a local partner/distributor.
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Current Market Trends
The Portuguese market for medical equipment is mature and presents a high level of sophistication. Portuguese are educated consumers and expect state-of-the-art medical treatment, which ensures continuous demand for innovative medical equipment and products. One of the prime characteristics of this market is its high level of imports. Total annual expenditures for new equipment are determined in the annual budgets of hospitals. These budgets are prepared according to estimates based on the previous year. The market is very receptive to U.S. products. A considerable portion of the market is penetrated by foreign products and imports from the U.S. can be very competitive.
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Best Prospects
The following products have the best sales potential:
- Surgery equipment
- Patient monitoring systems
- Mini invasive surgery (MIS) equipment
- Noninvasive medial apparatus
- Video endoscopes
- X-Ray equipment
- Digital image processing
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) equipment
- Picture archiving systems
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Market Size
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Healthcare spending (US dollars per capita)
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1,902
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… as percent of GDP
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8.9% (2018)
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… of which spent on inpatient services (including long-term care)
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68.5
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… of which spent on pharmaceuticals/consumables
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14.6
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… of which spent on investments
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2.0
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… of which spent on outpatient services
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10.0
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Hospitals, Procedures, Healthcare Professionals UN:
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Number of hospitals
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225
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…Public
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114
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…Private
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111
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Number of hospital beds
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34,953
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… available beds per 1000 inhabitants
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3,4
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…of which in general hospitals
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26,969
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…of which in specialized clinics and rehabilitation centers
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8,254
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Number of surgical procedures
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6,974
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…of which - Cataract Surgery
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1,272 Cataract Surgery
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…of which - Caesarean Section
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260.9 Caesarean section
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Physicians
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53,657
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…of which non-specialists
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20.387
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…of which specialists
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39.518
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…of which general surgeons
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1,765
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… of which pediatricians
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2.135
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Demographics
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Population
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10.28 million
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Life expectancy both sexes combined
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81.75
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Infant mortality (infant deaths per 1000 live births)
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2.961
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Percent of population older than 65
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24%
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Annual deaths
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11.0
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…caused by [highest disease burden]
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Cerebrovascular disease
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|
…caused by [second highest]
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Ischemic heart disease
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Prevalence of [fastest growing disease burden]
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Alzheimer disease
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Main Competitors
Some of the major U.S. companies with offices and distribution in Portugal include GE Medical Systems, 3M, and Johnson & Johnson medical. Siemens and Philips also have a strong presence in the country.
Portugal has approximately 200 companies distributing medical products largely comprised of small or medium-sized companies employing, on average, 15 to 60 people.
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Current Demand
High quality and technically sophisticated medical equipment have the best market potential in Portugal, especially equipment that increases efficiency and reduces occupancy rates in hospitals. In Portugal, imports are a fundamental component of the medical equipment market. Major suppliers are the U.S., Germany, France, and Japan.
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Registration Process
Infarmed, an agency within the Portuguese Ministry of Health, evaluates, authorizes, regulates, and controls human medicines as well as health products (namely medical devices, homeopathic products and cosmetics) for the protection of public health. Infarmed must guarantee that health professionals, as well as citizens, have access to medicines and other health products of quality that are safe and effective.
Regulation requirements for medical devices may be consulted on Infarmed’s website at: http://www.infarmed.pt/web/infarmed-en/medical-devices.
And for pharmaceuticals at: http://www.infarmed.pt/web/infarmed-en/human-medicines.
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Reimbursement
According to Press Release No 118/11 from the Court of Justice of the European Union, (27 October 2011, “Portuguese legislation on reimbursement for non-hospital medical care provided in another Member State is contrary to European Union law. With the exception of care that requires the use of major and costly equipment, Member States must make it possible to obtain reimbursement, in accordance with their own scales, for non-hospital medical care provided in another Member State without prior authorization.
In Portugal, other than in the circumstances specified in Regulation 1408/711, the possibility of obtaining reimbursement for non-hospital medical expenses incurred in another Member State is limited. While it is true that the Portuguese legislation (specifically, Decree-Law No 177/92) provides for the reimbursement of non-hospital medical care that it considers to be ‘highly specialized’, where this cannot be provided in Portugal, the reimbursement is subject to a threefold prior authorization (that is to say: (i) a detailed medical report in favor of the treatment, (ii) approval of that report by the medical director of the hospital service, and (iii) the consent of the Director General for Hospitals). For other non-hospital medical care, Portuguese law provides no possibility of reimbursement.
Of the view that this Portuguese system for the reimbursement of non-hospital medical costs incurred in another Member State is incompatible with the freedom to provide services, the Commission brought the present infringement action.”
Source: http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_CJE-11-118_en.htm?locale=en
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Barriers
There are no significant barriers for U.S. medical devices or products.
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Procurement & Tenders
Government tenders are available online at: http://www.medicaltenders.com/medical_tenders_portugal.htm
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U.S. Commercial Service Contact Information
Name: Emilia Carrasco
Position: Commercial Specialist
Email: emilia.carrasco@trade.gov
Phone: +351 217 702 528
