| In
the fiercely competitive global pharmaceutical market,
generic drugs are rapidly gaining share. Global sales of
generics are expected to total $29 billion in 2003, and
grow an additional 20% in 2004; through 2007, general sales
may not sustain this level of growth, but it is likely
to remain in the double-digits. Brand name drugs are still
well ahead in terms of revenue, but only single-digit growth
is projected in future years.
Generics already represent a high percentage
of total prescriptions dispensed in the US, UK and Germany,
fuelled
by governments and healthcare providers that promote generic
drugs as a way to lower costs. This trend represents a
strategic challenge for R&D pharmaceutical companies
with maturing brands. Products generating approximately
$36 billion in sales for the 20 largest global pharma companies
face generic exposure through 2007.
To provide insights into generic
market dynamics, IMS has produced IMS Generic Focus,
an in-depth analysis of the current generic sector in
seven leading pharmaceutical markets:
- US
- UK
- Canada
-
France
- Germany
- Spain
-
Italy
The report contains comprehensive information about
generic consumption, substitution, bioequivalence and
pricing trends that will influence generic markets in
each country during the next five years.
Qualitative analyses in IMS Generic Focus assess
prescribing patterns and trends, track usage of leading
generic products, and identify therapy classes offering
the highest potential for generics. The report compares
and contrasts generic activity in each major market,
as well as the potential impact of government policies
and prescibers’ attitudes on generic market growth.
A free PDF copy of the 2003 edition of IMS Generic
Focus can be downloaded from imshealth.com.
IMS' senior consultant of
strategy in Europe, Graham Lewis, notes that generic
penetration is already high in three of the core markets
- the US, UK and Germany - so sales growth will ultimately
depend on other strategic markets increasing their
usage of generic products, or prices stabilising at
higher than historical levels. Given the competitive
nature of the industry, he believes the former is more
likely.
Graham will be delivering
a key address at the Annual Conference of the European
Generic medicines Association on 10-11 November at
the Sheraton Roma Hotel in Rome, speaking on "The
current and future status of the generic medicines
healthcare markets in the EU15."
IMS will also be showcasing
its insights and innovations for generic industry decision-makers,
including IMS
Generic Planning and IMS
Generic Analyzer. These allow users to evaluate
the existing generic marketplace and assess market
potential of generic versions of ethical drugs whose
patents will expire during the next decade. Comprehensive
prescription drug sales and volume data for major markets
are combined with international patent expiration information,
yielding new insights about generic market opportunities
by country, therapy class, companies and over 500 marketed
molecules.
IMS will also be demonstrating
the power of the IMS
MIDAS Customized Insights service.
This provides invaluable business intelligence for
market assessment, molecule opportunity selection,
competitor evaluation and market pricing in 70 countries.
Case studies will be presented showing the effects
of genericisation on the calcium antagonists felodipine
and amlodipine.
Details of the EGA conference can be found here.
For further information about IMS' generics portfolio,
please contact Laura Darling ldarling@uk.imshealth.com
by e-mail or call +44 207 393 5356.
If you have any queries about
IMS' forecasting services, contact Cristina Cucinotta ccucinotta@uk.imshealth.com
+44 207 393 5254.
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