The US is still the leading market for generic drug sales; however Japan is hot on their heels.

In the US generic drug sales were estimated to be US$33 billion in 2009 and are projected to increase to US$54 billion by 2014.

Japan is currently the second largest generic drug market and is expected to have the highest rate of growth, at 12.2%, among all the major markets. Sales are expected to increase from US$5.4 billion in 2009 to US$9.6 billion by 2014.

This seems to be a very lucrative market with good prospects for the future. However a report by US market data provider BCC Research shows that this is also a bit of an exclusive club. The top four global generics manufacturers in 2009 – Teva, Sandoz, Mylan and Watson – accounted for 40% of the world market.

Source: BCC Research

Teva with an 18% market share in 2009, is reinforcing its global number one position with the recent acquisition of the 5th largest generic manufacturer, Ratiopharm. This move has increased both its global position and has propelled it to the number one position in Europe.

Teva's President and CEO, Mr Shlomo Yanai, commented that “increasing Teva's market share in Europe – a geography with tremendous potential for generics penetration – is an important pillar of our long-term growth strategy. With the acquisition of Ratiopharm we will become the leader in key European markets and we are well-positioned to become the leader in many other European markets in the near future".

References:

BCC Research. Generic Drugs: The Global Market. Report Code: PHM009E, Published: July 2009

Teva Press Release. Teva Completes Acquisition of ratiopharm. 10 August 2010