Nepal – Medical Equipment and Drugs and PharmaceuticalsNepal - Medical Equipment and Drugs

This is a best prospect industry sector for this country. Includes a market overview and trade data.

Last Published: 8/2/2019

Overview

Imports of medical equipment have increased marginally in recent years, with imports from the United States accounting for less than 1 percent of Nepal’s total imports in FY 2017. In recent years, almost a dozen medical colleges have opened in various parts of Nepal. At the same time, the number of hospitals with modern medical facilities has increased in recent years, primarily in the Kathmandu Valley, creating opportunities for medical equipment sales. These colleges and hospitals have a continuing need to upgrade their testing and treatment facilities to make their services competitive, and they therefore import modern medical equipment on a regular basis. Moreover, although most imported drug and pharmaceutical products come from India, U.S. pharmaceuticals are competitive. For specialty medical services, Nepali hospitals and testing facilities are increasingly interested in importing medical equipment from the United States.

Exports/Imports of Medical Equipment and Pharmaceuticals (U. S. $ thousands)

	2014	2015	2016	2017
Total Local Production	0	0	0	0
Total Exports	0	0	0	737.658
Total Imports	105,324.82	78,800.56	117,351.62	135,859.00
Imports from the U.S.	9,491.59	9,719.38	13,976.64	17,512.655
Total Market Size	105,324.82	78,800.56	117,351.62	136,596.00
Exchange Rates	98.55	99.79	106.65	107.92

(total market size = (total local production + imports) - exports)
Total Imports: Trade and Export Promotion Center, Nepal
Imports from U.S.: Trade and Export Promotion Center, Nepal

Leading Sub-Sectors

X-ray machines, ultra-sonographic machines, electrocardiogram machines, and other testing equipment.
Instruments and appliances used in medical, surgical, dental, or veterinary sciences, including electro-medical and sight testing.

Opportunities

The expansion of private sector medical facilities in Nepal offers significant opportunities for U.S. exporters of medical equipment and supplies. Demand for pharmaceutical products is also expected to remain high.

Web Resources

Nepal Medical Concil: www.nmc.org.np
Recognized medical / dental institutions in Nepal: www.nmc.org.np/institution.html
United States International Trade Commission: www.usitc.gov
Trade and Export Promotion Center, Nepal: www.tepc.gov.np

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.