[April 16, 2008] – Latin American countries, due to their desire to mimic the lifestyles of developed countries, are increasingly falling prey to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). This situation is providing valuable opportunities to pharmaceutical companies to develop drugs that can reduce drug interactions and offer better efficacy and safety profile.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (pharma.frost.com), Latin American Cardiovascular Drugs Markets, finds that market earned revenues of $1.49 billion in 2006 and estimates this to reach $3.33 billion in 2011.

If you are interested in a virtual brochure, which provides manufacturers, end users, and other industry participants with an overview of the Latin American Cardiovascular Drugs Markets, then send an email to Jos? Mar?a Jantus, Corporate Communications, at jose.jantus[.]frost.com, your full name, company name, title, telephone number, company e-mail address, company website, city, state, and country. Upon receipt of the above information, an overview will be sent to you by email.

The complexity of CVDs and their multiple causes and links with obesity and diabetes present interesting R&D prospects, especially in the area of metabolic disorders. There could be a marked shift away from the traditional goals of simply monitoring blood pressure and circulatory dynamics toward curing the underlying disease rather than the symptoms.

The new drugs should have fewer side effects, cover several disease conditions, and be affordable. Drug companies should also be prepared for the expiry of a number of patents in the near future, since this could cause global companies to lose their exclusivity and facilitate the market entry of generics.

If the market majors hope to retain their market shares, they should focus on innovating therapeutic classes so they can manage the current product lifecycle with brand extensions and activation of old product formulation. The current trend is to combine molecules, as drug developments are fewer in CVD than in other disease areas.

"Combinations are all the rage, given the relative increase in their effectiveness and the decrease in the number of daily tablets needed," say Luisa Woge, Research Analyst at Frost & Sullivan. "Although combinations seem to be the best way to efficiently manage the usual cardiovascular treatment goals in terms of blood pressure and cholesterol levels, diverse and uncommon therapeutic targets may be considered in the long term."

For instance, the evolution of genetic engineering could facilitate the use of gene therapy for curing cancer, AIDS, and cardiovascular conditions. It is hoped that the inhibition of specific genes or cells can help prevent the advancement of certain diseases.

Meanwhile, a rise in the number of the aged has caused a simultaneous increase in the prevalence of chronic conditions such as stroke and heart diseases. Since CVD is the most common cause of mortality among the aged, there will be a consequent hike in the purchase of cardiovascular drugs.

"Cardiovascular drugs are a high priority for many leading companies, because some patients tend to remain on medication for life," observes Woge. "In the short run, such boosting effect is not likely to be significant but it could be so in the next three to seven years."

The governments have expanded healthcare coverage for people from the lower socioeconomic levels, giving a boost to the cardiovascular drug market. However, due the paucity of adequate funds, they tend to opt for generic funds for their lower costs.

"Generic competition is becoming more aggressive, and in the future, generics' quality is expected to improve due to new bioequivalence regulations in the region," remarks Woge. "Also, governments are promoting generic prescription to drive the local pharmaceutical industry and guarantee better treatment, while these medicines are still inexpensive."

Generic drugs, having already penetrated a considerable part of the market, are likely to continue driving down prices and growing dynamically.

Latin American Cardiovascular Drugs Markets is part of the Pharmaceutical & Clinical Diagnostics Growth Partnership Service program, which also includes research in the following markets: European cardiovascular drugs markets, Latin American diabetes therapy market, and Brazilian clinical diagnostics automation market. All research services included in subscriptions provide detailed market opportunities and industry trends that have been evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants. Interviews with the press are available.

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Latin American Cardiovascular Drugs Markets N2AD