This is a best prospect industry sector for this country. Includes a market overview and trade data.
Last Published: 11/22/2019

The Algerian healthcare sector continues to grow. With a good deal of patience and commitment, there is considerable opportunity for American companies in Algeria. 

Algeria’s healthcare sector relies heavily on imported goods. Press reporting suggests that cardiovascular diseases, cancer, hypertension, diabetes, respiratory illnesses and allergies are on the rise. The population is increasingly aware of cutting-edge medical procedures such as laser corrective eye surgeries, panoramic dental radiology, and plastic surgery. U.S. technology and products are regarded as high quality and reliable. Algerian demand for quality medical equipment and disposables is considerable.

Despite the government’s challenging fiscal situation, the share of the total national operating budget allocated to health reached 7.3% in 2018. The Algerian Ministry of Health, Population and Hospital Reform is awarded the fourth largest portion of the national government budget.  The 2018 finance law outlined a health budget of DZD 392,16bn ($3.27bn). This was increased to DZD 398,97bn ($3.33bn) in the 2019 finance law.

Algeria’s ineffective licensing of generic pharmaceuticals and lack of clear coordination between the Ministry of Health and the Algerian patent office creates an uncertain environment regarding the registration and sale of brand-name health products. Exacerbating this uncertainty is the ban on the importation of hundreds of foreign-produced pharmaceuticals. Companies should be aware that it is common to face delays of weeks or months for goods to be cleared by Algerian customs.

Sub-Sector Best Prospects
 

  • Medical equipment and supplies, including diagnostics, imagery and laboratory equipment
  • Hospital and outpatient clinic design and construction services, and
  • Hospital and medical office administration software and solutions


Challenges

All international pharmaceutical companies must create a legal entity with a local partner in accordance with the 51/49 investment law.

Human resources can be difficult to recruit, manage, and retain in Algeria, both at the skilled and unskilled levels, even as unemployment remains high.  Most Algerians speak French and Arabic and lack English-language skills.

Companies routinely face delays of multiple weeks or months for goods to be cleared by customs.

Opportunities

Algerians increasingly turn to private clinics for outpatient care. Opportunities will increase for the design and management of such facilities and for sales of cutting-edge diagnostic and treatment equipment. Cosmetic surgery is not yet common, but consumer interest is rising.

For more information about opportunities in the health sector, please contact U.S. Commercial Specialist Jugurtha Rabia at +213-770-082-274 or jugurtha.rabia@trade.gov.

Additional Resources

Further resources for the Algerian health sector can be found at http://www.sante.gov.dz/
 

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.