Compared to importation, the pharmaceutical production in Lebanon is still weak. The generics prescription is neglected according to the medicines of origin as only big brands dominate the Lebanese market. Despite the agreements between Lebanon and other Arab countries, the nature of the regulatory environment in the latter is likely to be a substantial obstacle that prevents the access of the Lebanese medicines to the markets of the Arab countries. On the other hand, the development of a new market access remains a necessity for increasing the volume of pharmaceutical exports. This paper aims to demonstrate, based on the Lebanese market analysis the significance of supporting local pharmaceutical manufacturing since it contributes as a primary factor in reducing the cost of the medical bill for citizens, public institutions, and payers. The paper concludes with a set of recommendations to strengthen the pharmaceutical sector as well as to stimulate and develop the local production of pharmaceutical medications.

Purpose -This research aims to obtain an in-depth understanding of medical tourists' segments and the variations that exist within them as tourists and patients.Design/Methodology/Approach -A data-driven segmentation approach using the two-step cluster analysis technique was applied on a sample of 212 participants visiting Lebanon for medical purposes. The research instruments combine travel motivation variables, along with socio-demographic, geographic, and behavioral characteristics.Findings and implications -The results identified two distinct segments: "the international patients" and "the elective medical tourists." The delineated segments have significant implications for scholars, allowing them to understand the profile of tourists and their associated motivations and behaviors better. They can guide medical tourism service providers, marketers, and destination managers in providing specific medical tourism products and services that meet the expectations of each segment.Limitations -Limitations were experienced during the data collection process due to a lack of collaboration Sažetak Svrha -Cilj istraživanja jest omogućiti dubinsko razumijevanje segmenata medicinskih turista i varijacija koje postoje unutar njih kao turista i pacijenata.Metodološki pristup -Primijenjen je pristup segmentaciji na temelju podataka korištenjem tehnike klasterske analize u dva koraka. Istraživački instrument kombinira varijable motivacija za putovanje zajedno sa sociodemografskim, zemljopisnim i bihevioralnim obilježjima. Primijenjen je na uzorku od 212 ispitanika koji su posjetili Libanon u medicinske svrhe.Rezultati i implikacije -Rezultati su identificirali dva različita segmenta, a to su "međunarodni pacijenti" i "medicinski turisti po izboru". Opisani segmenti imaju značajne implikacije za znanstvenike omogućujući im razumijevanje profila turista i s njima povezane motivacije i ponašanja. Oni mogu usmjeravati pružatelje usluga medicinskog turizma, marketinške stručnjake i upravitelje destinacijom u pružanju specifičnih proizvoda i usluga medicinskog turizma koji ispunjavaju očekivanja svakog segmenta.Ograničenja -Tijekom prikupljanja podataka došlo je do ograničenja zbog nedostatka suradnje i promptnih