| Global pharmaceutical market growth accelerates to 11% in 1999 IMS HEALTH data shows that the world pharmaceutical market grew by 10.7% in 1999, with estimated sales reaching $337.2 billion, up from $304.7 billion in 1998.
This robust growth is expected to continue, despite continued government pressure on pricing and a number of blockbuster drugs going off-patent. IMS HEALTH projections show average annual global sales growth of 8.1% over the next five years, which would expand the global pharmaceutical market to $506 billion by 2004.
The growth can be attributed to a number of factors, including the recent launches of drugs such as Celebrex and Vioxx, which are contributing to the industry momentum. Simultaneous multi-country launches, improved sales force productivity and direct-to-consumer promotion will continue to yield strong and faster sales in the lifecycle of new drugs.
The data are a snapshot of IMS HEALTH's annual World Review report of global pharmaceutical market performance in 1999, using audited sales of prescription drugs and certain over-the-counter products in more than 60 countries. Growth in sales is measured in US dollars. World Review is consolidated using IMS HEALTH's on-line global database, MIDAS.
Leading countries
The top ten worldwide markets represent approximately 79% of all unaudited and audited sales.
Leading countries in 1999 global pharmaceutical sales | Rank | Country | 1999 Sales US$Bn | % Global Sales | % Growth Year-on-Year* | | 1 | United States | 130.1 | 39% | 17% | | 2 | Japan | 53.5 | 16% | 23% | | 3 | Germany | 18.5 | 5% | 1% | | 4 | France | 17.8 | 5% | 0% | | 5 | Italy | 11.3 | 3% | 3% | | 6 | United Kingdom | 11.0 | 3% | 8% | | 7 | Spain | 6.6 | 2% | 6% | | 8 | Brazil | 6.3 | 2% | (-26%) | | 9 | China | 6.2 | 2% | 12% | | 10 | Canada | 5.5 | 2% | 11% |
Source: IMS HEALTH World Review 2000 (*Growth measured in US Dollars)
The US remains the largest pharmaceutical market by far, growing 17% to $130.1 billion in sales in 1999, and representing 39% of the total worldwide market. Japan, the second largest market, recovered last year from three consecutive years of negative performance, growing 23% with sales of $53.5 billion.
Within the top five European markets, Germany remains in the lead, achieving sales of $18.5 billion with 1% growth over 1998. The fastest growing Western European markets in 1999 were the UK, growing 8%, and Spain, with 6% growth over 1998.
Brazil, the seventh largest audited world pharmaceutical market in 1998, dropped to eighth place last year, experiencing a 26% decline in growth due to economic conditions. China, ranked ninth for the third consecutive year, achieved $6.2 billion in 1999 sales and 12% year-over-year growth. |