Egypt PET Scan Market Analysis

Egypt PET Scan Market Executive Summary

The Egypt PET Scan market is at around $5.4 Mn in 2023 and is projected to reach $8.7 Mn in 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of 6.9% during the forecast period.

A positron emission tomography (PET) scan is an imaging test that produces images of the body’s organs and tissues. PET is a type of nuclear medicine approach as a radioactive chemical called tracer is used for analyzing how the body tissues absorb and use different chemicals in real time. PET evaluates the metabolism of tissues to provide information about their anatomy and physiology as well as their biochemical properties. This is in contrast to other techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan and computed tomography (CT) scan which provide images of merely the anatomy of the body. Before the actual PET scan, a tracer is injected into body and once the tracer is absorbed, a ring-shaped scanner is positioned over the body area for scanning. The most commonly used tracer in PET scan is a type of sugar, fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) which is taken up by extensive energy-consuming cells of the body. The tracer is radiolabeled so it emits gamma rays which are detected by the scanner. A computer then analyzes this information to create 3-D images of the body. The radioisotopes used in PET scan to label tracers are 11C, 13N, 15O, and 18F. To produce even more detailed images, nowadays, most PET scans are performed along with MRI and CT scan and this combination is called PET-MRI and PET-CT scan, respectively. The PET scan is usually performed as an outpatient procedure as it consumes only around 1 hour.

Chronic diseases, particularly Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, and chronic respiratory diseases, are currently the leading national causes of death in Egypt. These are a major public health concern, placing a significant strain on the healthcare system and individual well-being. The Egypt PET Scan Market is thus driven by significant factors such as the rising prevalence of chronic diseases, rising demand for non-invasive diagnostic devices, and increased demand for early diagnosis. However, the high cost, limited availability of radiotracers, and competition from other imaging techniques restrict the growth and potential of the market.

The leading players of the Egypt PET Scan Market are Philips Healthcare, Toshiba Medical Systems, Hitachi Medical Systems, Shimadzu, and Mediso Medical Imaging Systems, among others.

Market Dynamics

Market Growth Drivers

Rising Prevalence of Chronic Diseases: The age standardized cancer incidence rate was 175.1 and 161.1 in males and females, respectively, as of 2022, according to the WHO Global Cancer Observatory. The PET Scan Market is experiencing significant growth due to the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, particularly cancer. The demand for early detection is on the rise as the number of cancer cases continues to escalate. PET scans serve as essential diagnostic tools and are crucial in cancer staging. Staging provides essential information regarding the extent and severity of the cancer, aiding in treatment planning. PET scans are particularly beneficial in radiation therapy as they pinpoint cancerous tissues accurately, enabling targeted therapy. Moreover, PET scans differentiate between benign and malignant tumours, reducing the need for unnecessary biopsies. Consequently, PET scans offer a multitude of advantages, facilitating early intervention and potentially improving treatment outcomes, thereby driving market growth.

Rising Demand for Non-Invasive Diagnostic Devices: Non-invasive procedures like PET scans are typically favoured by patients because they result in minimal discomfort and pain. Unlike invasive procedures, non-invasive methods do not involve incisions or surgical interventions, which ultimately leads to better patient adherence. Additionally, PET scans are associated with quicker recovery times, enabling patients to resume their daily activities sooner than with other types of procedures. Importantly, non-invasive procedures pose lower risks of complications when compared to invasive alternatives. As a result of these advantages, the increasing popularity of non-invasive procedures is driving market expansion.

Increased Demand for Early Diagnosis: PET scans target the expanded metabolic action of cells, much prior than the conventional strategies of X-rays and CT scans. This leads to prior determination when treatment choices are more likely to be viable. This early discovery afterward makes a domino impact which leads to expanded utilize of PET looks for screening, monitoring response, and better health outcomes. In this way, the emphasis on early illness discovery essentially contributes to the growth of the PET Scan Market.

Market Restraints

High Cost: PET scanning is expensive, often requiring a high initial investment, and costs include the scanning procedure, the radiopharmaceuticals used, and the scanner itself. Some patients and healthcare facilities may find this costly, especially in areas with limited healthcare budgets. Additionally, ongoing operating and maintenance costs are also added to this cost. Market expansion may be limited if these costs are not reduced or reimbursement guidelines are tightened.

Limited Availability of Radiotracers: Many radiotracers used in PET scans have short half-lives and therefore must be manufactured and used within shorter time frames. It also requires proximity to manufacturing facilities to obtain cyclotrons and radiochemistry laboratories, which may not be possible in rural or underdeveloped areas. In addition, creating and distributing radioactive tracers on a large scale is difficult because it requires advanced technology and strict compliance with regulations. Insufficient supplies of radiotracers pose many technical, regulatory and logistical challenges that prevent the PET market from fully developing.

Competition from other Imaging Techniques: Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT), CT, and MRI scans are other alternative imaging techniques widely used in the healthcare that compete with the novel PET scans. These traditional techniques are more affordable compared to PET scans which makes them more attractive to patients. Unlike PET scans, they are also more widely available and accessible, which creates more demand. Therefore, due to the established older imaging techniques, the PET Scan Market faces downward growth.

Regulatory Landscape and Reimbursement Scenario

The Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA) is Egypt’s pharmaceutical regulatory body, overseen by the Ministry of Health. It plays a vital role in ensuring the efficacy, safety, and quality of medications that are made available in the nation. The comprehensive drug approval procedure that the EDA enforces helps guarantee that only safe and effective pharmaceuticals are supplied to the Egyptian market; innovative medications that have undergone adequate testing are beneficial to patients; and public health is protected by reducing the risks associated with potentially harmful or ineffective medications.

Before new pharmaceuticals are offered in Egypt, the EDA examines applications and authorizes their marketing. It also grants licenses to producers, distributors, and wholesalers of pharmaceuticals and medical equipment. The EDA ensures medications fulfil the criteria of quality necessary for the purposes for which they are intended. This entails conducting quality control procedures, keeping up a national drug control laboratory, and inspecting manufacturing sites. When evaluating novel drugs, the EDA examines and approves clinical trial applications to guarantee participant safety and ethical research procedures. After a drug is placed in the market, the EDA actively monitors its safety by gathering and evaluating information on side effects that patients and medical experts have reported.

Egypt’s health insurance landscape includes the Universal Health Insurance (UHI) program. The UHI Law was passed in 2017 and replaced the previously fragmented insurance system of Egypt. The law aimed to provide comprehensive health insurance coverage to all Egyptian citizens. The goal of the UHI program is to provide a uniform benefits package that includes services for preventive care (checkups, screenings), services for both inpatient and outpatient care, necessary prescription drugs, maternity care, and emergency medical attention.

Competitive Landscape

Key Players

Here are some of the major key players in the Egypt PET Scan Market:

• Siemens Healthineers
• GE Healthcare
• Philips Healthcare
• Toshiba Medical Systems
• Hitachi Medical Systems
• Shimadzu
• Mediso Medical Imaging Systems
• Siemens Healthineers
• Canon Medical Systems
• Esaote
• Neusoft Medical Systems