Predict policy changes in healthcare sector

As a result of the economic crisis in Portugal, the Portuguese Government was considering to curb down expenditures in healthcare. The client wanted to predict the most likely policy changes in regards to standard processes, exams for diagnosis, and conventional treatments. Additionally, the client wanted to understand which actions their competitors were taking in preparation for these uncertain regulatory changes.

SG Analytics performed an exhaustive research on internal and external sources to gather qualitative and quantitative information:

In order to identify the most likely policy changes, SG Analytics conducted desk research using multiple sources to understand the macroeconomic environment, including forecasts for real GDP and % real GDP growth, as well as the existing healthcare landscape and respective cost structures in Portugal. The research covered the following key factors:

Supplementing the secondary research results and ensuring highly reliable results, SG Analytics interviewed European industry leaders and policymakers in regards to details of the industry regulatory framework and key legislation covering the licensing of new products/services, pricing and reimbursements, intellectual property, taxation and advertising, as well as analysis of the overall regulatory burden.

Based on insights from the interviews and secondary research, SG delivered a preliminary report highlighting the most likely policy changes along with estimates of their impact on public spending and market dynamics.

Leveraging public available information, SG Analytics’ secondary research analysts assessed the client’s major competitors and analyzed their ability to withstand the economic pressure that would be caused by the projected policy changes.

Additionally, SG Analytics conducted CATI interviews with the executives of the client’s competitors. To ensure quality responses, SG Analytics restricted its respondent list to key decision makers.