09-Jun-16 Basic healthcare is becoming less accessible to ordinary Russians. Medicine sales have fallen for the first time in Russia since 2008: Analysts recorded a 10% drop in drug sales in the first quarter of 2016. During a severe economic crisis, a growing number of Russians can no longer afford to buy medicine. [image: Andrei Iglov / RIA Novosti]

09-Jun-16 Turkey’s Acıbadem Hospitals Group, which recently bought Bulgaria’s largest health group for EUR125 million, is now considering investments in Serbia and Romania in a bid to double growth figures over the next five years. The group plans a big health center in Amsterdam as well. [image: Hurriyet Daily News]

21-Apr-16 IHH Healthcare, Asia's largest hospital operator, said that its Turkish subsidiary will invest EUR76 mn (USD86 mn) in healthcare facilities in Bulgaria. Istanbul-based Acibadem has signed deals to acquire wholly Tokuda Hospital. Separately, Acibadem also entered into a sale agreement for a 33% stake in City Clinic. The combined entities will become the largest private healthcare operator in Bulgaria. [image: IHH Healthcare Berhad]

19-Apr-16 Walgreens Boots Alliance has bought a 15% stake in Russian pharmacy chain 36,6. In return Walgreens Boots Alliance has sold its Russian distributor Alliance Healthcare Russia to 36,6. The country’s commercial drug market can be very promising for foreign investors. [image: Newseurope]

21-Mar-16 Johnson & Johnson has seen the profitability of its consumer and medical device sectors flag in recent years, prompting activist investor Artisan to put pressure on the firm. The company’s executives recently shared their vision for growing its medical device business with a six-pronged plan that includes boosting its consumer medical devices business and expanding into emerging markets. [image: Johnson & Johnson]