WHO Report on the Italian Health Care System Long report from the World Health Organization about the Italian health care sector. Cosmetics The cosmetics market in Italy Overview of the cosmetics industry in Italy, from the Australian government. Medical Equipment Medical Equipment in Italy Overview from the Australian government, January 2000. The Italian market for medical equipment relies heavily on imports.
Major suppliers are the United States, Germany, and Japan.
Only a small number of Italian companies can compete effectively in the most sophisticated and high-tech areas. At present, a large percentage of the medical equipment in use is obsolete, with potentially adverse effects on patients. In recent years, the local health care market has suffered from drastic cuts in public expenditures in an effort to reduce overall public expenditures. Prices are now considered to be the primary factor in purchasing decisions. Forecasts for future growth in this sector are moderately optimistic and are expected to average 5 percent annually.