IMS reports 10% global growth

In its monthly Drug Monitor, Westport, CT-based IMS Health reported overall 10% growth in retail drug sales, to $209.7 billion, for twelve strategic global markets in the twelve-month period from March 1999 to February 2000. North America is the global leader in pharmaceutical sales growth, at 15% and $92.3 billion in sales during this period. The average sales growth for the top five European markets was 8%, for a combined total sales value of $53.7 billion in Europe.

Of the 12 markets, the United States continues to experience the most significant growth, with 15% sales growth and $87.4 billion in sales in the twelve months to February. The top five European markets - Germany, France, Italy, the U.K. and Spain - showed an overall 8% sales growth rate during this period, the same rate recorded the previous month. Italy, the U.K. and Spain all posted double-digit growth rates, at 10%, 11% and 11%, respectively. Growth rates in Germany and France, the two largest European markets, remained stable at 6% each. PR