Depending on the theme investors wish to tap into they may find good value among small cap healthcare and services companies. In what is shaping up as a tricky year on the sharemarket, companies exposed to essential services are likely to be well supported.

In November Smart Investor looked at three companies exposed to the ­growing drug delivery industry: Unilife Corporation , Acrux and Starpharma . While the latter had a setback in ­December with Japanese regulatory authorities reviewing its medical device classification and effectively delaying the launch of its VivaGel condom, Unilife and Acrux have gained in value.