Global Rx drug market share by top companies 2019 and 2026
Pfizer held five percent of the world's prescription drug market in 2019 and is predicted to forfeit 1.5 percent of the global market until 2026. The global market for prescribed medicines is expected to be led by U.S. company AbbVie, followed by Swiss pharma giants Roche and Novartis with identical market shares by 2026. In general, the pharmaceutical Rx market is expected to become more balanced with decreasing gaps between the companies.
Prescription and over-the-counter drugs
The total global prescription drug market – including generic and orphan drugs – was estimated at 900 billion U.S. dollars for 2020. Especially the orphan drug market is a major driver and expected to more than double its revenues in only seven years between 2019 and 2026. Prescribed (Rx) drugs are drugs which can be only obtained with a physician’s prescription. In contrast to these, there is the group of so called over-the-counter (OTC) drugs which can be purchased directly without a prescription. Typical examples for OTC drugs are lower-dosed pain killers like aspirin or ibuprofen.
Pfizer as global leader
New York City-based Pfizer was for many years the largest pharmaceutical company based on combined prescribed and OTC drug revenue. Today, the company is totally focused on human medicine, divided into two major segments - Innovative Health and Essential Health. Pfizer also had a significant animal health division until 2013. The company generates about half of its revenues inside the United States. Pfizer’s perhaps most famous drug ever produced is the potency pill Viagra.
Prescription and over-the-counter drugs
The total global prescription drug market – including generic and orphan drugs – was estimated at 900 billion U.S. dollars for 2020. Especially the orphan drug market is a major driver and expected to more than double its revenues in only seven years between 2019 and 2026. Prescribed (Rx) drugs are drugs which can be only obtained with a physician’s prescription. In contrast to these, there is the group of so called over-the-counter (OTC) drugs which can be purchased directly without a prescription. Typical examples for OTC drugs are lower-dosed pain killers like aspirin or ibuprofen.
Pfizer as global leader
New York City-based Pfizer was for many years the largest pharmaceutical company based on combined prescribed and OTC drug revenue. Today, the company is totally focused on human medicine, divided into two major segments - Innovative Health and Essential Health. Pfizer also had a significant animal health division until 2013. The company generates about half of its revenues inside the United States. Pfizer’s perhaps most famous drug ever produced is the potency pill Viagra.
