Pharmaceutical companies are striking mega deals, diversifying and cutting costs to gird for the storm of patent expirations. There are signs that the industry is becoming more productive in its research labs after an extended dry patch. But investors are not convinced they are on the path to sustained profits: pharmaceutical stocks overall have underperformed the broader market in 2009, and trade in general at low premiums. 
 
Indeed, Wall Street skepticism persists in many corners of healthcare. The uncertainty over the outcome of U.S. health reform efforts has brought a cloud over the sector, none more so than for health insurers, which are at rock-bottom valuations. The weak economy weighs on medical technology companies, as hospital keep tight reins on budgets and people avoid elective procedures.
 
Some of the world’s most prominent CEOs and top executives from leading health care companies and organizations will discuss these and related issues at the Reuters Health Summit, which will generate exclusive interviews and key insights from our team of reporters as well as online video and blog postings, which will be immediately available only to Thomson Reuters clients during the Summit.