Pharmaceutical and health care markets in the Gulf region are rapidly changing. Business opportunities in the import-dependent marketplace of the five main countries in the region no longer remain the same, as it used to be a few years ago. The estimated US$ 2 billion odd pharmaceutical market in these countries is heavily reliant on the fluctuating price of oil, which dictate the strength of the economy and, in turn, healthcare provision and the pharmaceutical market.
Saudi Arabia is the largest Gulf States country market for pharmaceuticals, valued at US$1.2 billion in 2005. The UAE figures second and acts as a trading post with goods destined for other countries. Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman all have extremely small markets, limited as they are having a small population.
One of the most significant forces driving expansion of Gulf health systems is increasing growth in population. Over the last 5-year, the collective population has risen from 28.6 million to an estimated 34.1 million in 2005. Some markets, such as Saudi Arabia, have seen a 5-year rise in population of 3.3% - or 3.7 million health consumers.
Arab Health 2005, the leading hospital, medical equipment and services exhibition, provides an excellent gateway not only to the lucrative Gulf markets but for the other countries in the Middle East, as well. The combined size of Middle East health care market is estimated to be over US$81.4 billion.
Arab Health is a unique event, which combines an exhibition with education, in the form of specialist conferences. The event attracted 1737 exhibitors, from 63 countries, making up 28 country pavilions, last year. A record number of 28,473 visitors attended the last year event. Undoubtedly, Arab Health is the business destination of choice for the high-growth healthcare industry in the Middle East, the size of which is estimated to be over US $81.4 billion.
The exhibition-cum-conference event is dedicated to: Medical Laboratory and Instrumentation Exhibition (Medlab); The Exhibition for Hospitals and Healthcare Service Suppliers (International Health Services); International Pharmacy Product, Equipment and Services Exhibition (Pharma); Dental Product, Equipment and Services Exhibition (Dentistry) and Hospital Design & Interiors Exhibition (HDI).
Recognized as the leading Medical Laboratory event in the region, MedLab will sport American and Austrian pavilions as major attractions this year. Around 350 international and local companies will demonstrate the latest technologies and trends in the laboratory field. Present on the American Pavilion this year will be the American Association of Clinical Chemists. Dubiotech will be exhibiting for the first time, this year. Other prominent companies exhibiting at the exhibition include Roche, Biomeriuex, Beckman Coulter, Becton Dickinson and Abbotts.
Around 350 international and local companies demonstrating the latest technologies and trends in the laboratory field will display their strengths and latest innovations at the exhibition.
International Health Services aims to cater to the high demand for foreign medical facilities and global insurance programmes in the Middle East.
The pharma exhibition is meant for dealers, doctors, nurses and pharmacists to meet companies who have new products, therapies and services related to the pharmaceutical industry. The full range of medicines will be displayed at the show ranging from modern to herbal/alternative treatments. Syrian Pharma Pavilion and German Pharma Pavilion will be the highlights this year.
Alongside the Pharma exhibition will be running a three day Diabetes Conference and a Complimentary Medicine Conference. Arab Health's Dentistry exhibition attracts the largest gathering of dental healthcare professionals as it brings together ministry officials, private dental practice owners, purchasing and supplies officers, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, doctors of dental medicine and surgery, paediatric dentists, orthodontists, cosmetic dentists and many other professionals connected with dentistry - from both public and private sectors, under one roof. Hospital Design and Interiors provides a platform for the key components of healthcare facility design and construction and refurbishment to come together. This exhibition attracts thousands of the region's decision makers, including healthcare executives from public and private sectors, facility planners and managers, architects, designers, directors of non-clinical services, contractors and others.
As mentioned, along with the exhibitions Arab Health 2006 will have a comprehensive congress programme which include: Otolaryngology Conference, Complementary Medicine: Evidence-based Medicine, 6th Middle-East Imaging & Diagnostic Conference, Arab Health Diabetic Conference, Middle-East International Laboratory Management Conference, Forum for Dentistry, 2nd Middle-East Wound Management Congress, Advances in Laparoscopic Surgery Conference, Middle-East Spinal Surgery Symposium, Middle East Obs-Gyn Conference, Interventional Radiology Symposium, Advances & Controversies in Hip and Knee Surgery, Hospital Design & Upgrade, Problems of Obesity in Medical Practice, Emergency Medical Services, Middle East Trauma and Patient Safety Congress.
UAE Ministry of Health, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center, Dubai Healthcare City and UAE Federal Dept of Radiology support Arab Health.