IMS Health released data today indicating that pharmaceutical drug sales growth will slow globally to between 4% and 6% down from 7% last year. Generic drugs and patent expirations will continue to pressure brand drugs.
However, drug sales globally are expected to be up for 2010, growing 5% worldwide. Much of the growth is expected to come from China and India. One challenge for leading biopharma companies will be the large amount of fake drugs in these countries as well as established generic competitors. Successful branded biopharma products need a solid reputation for safety and superiority if consumers are to be expected to pay substantially more for them.
IMS Health predicts that the top disease therapy growth areas will be: diabetes, cancer, HIV, and multiple sclerosis.
http://bit.ly/Pharma_Forecast_2010
http://bit.ly/Drug_Sales_2010
