British companies which have now been focusing on the pharmaceuticals in the Indian healthcare market are now eyeing the diagnostic market. A British delegation lead by David Hawkins, India consultant-International group, Trade Partners UK, comprising 10 diagnostic company heads is currently in India to explore the possibility of either directing participation of British companies in India or through joint ventures.

What has attracted these British companies is the fact that the Indian diagnostic market is poised to grow at an annual rate of about 25-30 per cent and valued at about UK Pounds 170 million in 2002. Another factor that is making these British companies eye India is that half of the Indian demand is met by imports.

The bilateral trade between India and Britain currently stands at UK Pounds 5 billion, and healthcare segment attracts a major chunk. According to estimates, of the 15 main diagnostic product segments that are currently being marketed India, five categories are expected to flourish. They are HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Pregnancy and Thyroid hormones.

The major opportunities in patient care are in the areas of develoment of ambulatory care systems, telemedicine and development of health management programmes. "About 50 per cent of the Indian demand is met by imports. This is where British companies can benefit immensely. The British companies will have to make their product relevant to the Indian needs, " claimed Andrew Sheperd, Managing Director, Omega Diagnostic Ltd. He further claimed that the areas of collaboration between the two countries include sale of UK sourced products, licencing of UK technologies, act as outsource production facilities, joint venture for developing new products besides importing raw materials from India.