September 30, 2011 – The French agency for the safety of health products (Afssaps) has just published the key figures for drug sales in 2010.
Each year, Afssaps publishes an analysis report on the sales of medicines, reimbursable or not, carried out in pharmacies and hospitals, based on information sent by the laboratories.
The 2010 results confirm the slowdown in the growth of the pharmaceutical market observed in recent years.
In France in 2010, on average each inhabitant consumed 48 boxes of medicines and one out of four medicines purchased is a generic medicine.
Among the major trends in 2010, we can note that:
- Drug sales represent 27.5 billion euros.
In proportion, 79% are carried out in pharmacies and 21% in hospitals, which corresponds to the figures for 2009. - Almost one in four reimbursable drugs purchased in a pharmacy is a generic. The generic market saw its market grow by 0.8% compared to 2009.
- The offer of non-reimbursable drugs has grown over the years but its market share has not increased (less than 10% in value of sales to pharmacies).
83% of sales made in pharmacies concern reimbursable drugs subject to prescription. - In hospitals, among the 50 best-selling products, we find mainly anticancer drugs, drugs intended for the treatment of HIV as well as some specialties with indications in rare diseases. In town, in quantity, analgesics, drugs for the digestive tract and metabolism (antiulcer drugs, drugs for functional gastrointestinal disorders) are the most sold.
- Medicines to be taken orally in dry form represent 68% of pharmacy sales. In hospitals, injectable forms predominate with 67% of boxes.
- Note that the data confirms the trend of recent years, that is to say the slowdown in market growth (+ 1.2% in value), with a significant increase of 4.2% for the hospital market.
Audrey Dulieux – PasseportSanté.net
