Solutions
Continued FRoM page 6
their sales have more than tripled
since 2000 to more than $51 billion
last year, or 17% of the U.S. total.
By contrast, specialty pharma-
ceuticals, whose distribution is
driven by specialized pharmacies
and primary care physicians, saw
solid sales growth of more than
4% in the June 2008 to June 2009
12-month period.
biotech pharmaceuticals. Murray Aitken, SVP healthcare insight for IMS, predicted that many of the new chemical and biological en-
tities emerging over the next few years “will be specialist-driven,” and aimed at “niche indications and narrow patient populations.”
That could spell some trouble for traditional retail pharmacies, most of which aren’t set up to handle the complex dosage regimens, insurance expertise or close coordination with patients and their doctors that the specialty pharmacy business requires — let alone the staggering costs of some specialty and biotech drugs. But it also could spell huge opportunity for chains and independents that can summon those capabilities as the $70 billion U.S. market for specialty products continues to ramp up.
1. Pfizer (including Greenstone) 20,103
6.9
2. AstraZeneca
17,128
5.9
10.2
Project1 1/18/10 2:18 PM Page 1
3. GlaxoSmithKline
16,259
5.6
“The new and expanding field of specialty pharmacy could bring more biologic products into the pharmacy space, meaning some biologics that are now limited to clinics and hospitals will join insulin and the few others now in pharmacy,” said Doug Long, VP trade relations for IMS.
4. Merck & Co.
14,678
5.0
5. Johnson & Johnson
14,162
4.9
6. Roche (including Genentech) 13,221
4.5
6.8
7. Novartis (including Sandoz)
12,604
4.3
0.7
8. Lilly
12,564
4.3
10.3
It’s no secret that much of the industry’s research and development focus — and most of the innovation and sales growth — has shifted to the expensive and highly targeted arena of specialty and
9. Amgen Corp.
12,404
4.3
One thing seems certain: the commoditization of the lower end of the generic drug marketplace likely will continue as $4 generic Continued on page 26
10. Teva
12,171
4.2
23.6
TOP 10
$145,293
49.8%
-1.7%
*In millions
Source: IMS Health, National Sales Perspectives, June 2009
References:
Archives