Turkey's Biopharmaceutical Sector Attracts, Boosts Research and Development Expenditures
Released on: September 23, 2010, 6:14 am
Author:
Global Health Progress
Industry: Healthcare
A recent report on the biopharmaceutical sector presence, employment, economic
output and research and development activity in the European States highlights
Turkey’s long-term prospects for growth. The report notes that the industry is
creating a positive ripple across the region’s economy, improving the quality of
life for its citizens and increasing access to medicine.
In particular, strong public-private industry collaborations and an emphasis on
research and development are highlighted as aiding in the development of new
medicines, improving access to medicine and increasing the economic benefits of the
region. Güler Hülya Yılmaz, head of Deloitte Turkey’s Health and Drug Industry
division, emphasizes the importance of research and development (R&D) in the
biopharmaceutical sector. Yilmaz states, “In R&D, it’s important that there be a
strong foundation for laying the bricks of innovation. Turkey has that foundation,
but with this there is a need for government support of new research and
partnerships between industry and academia.”
Global Health Progress (GHP) also believes proper support for research and
development in the pharmaceutical industry can contribute to the Turkish economy far
beyond drug development and production. For example, the Turkish biopharmaceutical
market has expanded rapidly, generating approximately US $8.5 billion in revenue in
2008 and contributed thousands of high-quality, highly skilled jobs to the region.
Fortunately, recent reforms and policy changes by the Turkish government have
created a more favorable environment for R&D investment. For example, the Turkish
government has implemented a number of Technology Development Zones, which feature
exemptions from income and corporate taxes on profits derived from R&D activity, an
exemption from taxes on the wages of R&D personnel employed in the zones and value
added tax (VAT) exemptions, all through 2013.
Additionally, the country’s sizeable pool of patients for clinical trials can bring
health benefits, diffusion of medical knowledge and greater patient access to
medicine and high quality care to citizens. With a population of approximately 72
million and a growing middle class, chronic diseases represent the majority of
Turkey’s disease burden. An increased focus on prevention, early intervention, new
treatments, and public-private partnerships, including recent government, university
and industry collaboration facilitated by the establishment of several research
institutes, is critical to reducing the health and economic burden of disease in
Turkey.
GHP highlights these successes and opportunities as a way for the biopharmaceutical
sector to continue to expand in Turkey. This, in turn, will create positive effects
throughout the economy, foster global competitiveness, reduce the health and
economic burden of disease on local citizens, improve access to medicine and develop
tomorrow’s medicines.
Please view full PDF for additional information and list of sources.
About Global Health Progress:
Global Health Progress also supports efforts to raise awareness and mobilize
resources to address health challenges in the developing world by bringing local
leaders together with international health experts, policymakers, donor governments,
and the private sector.
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Contact:
Mark Grayson
(202) 835-3460
MGrayson@phrma.org
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