Global Spending on Medications to Reach $1 Trillion by 2015

Global spending on medicines will reach nearly $1.1 trillion by 2015, up about 20% from the $856 billion spent in 2010. Of the total, the share spent on branded medications is expected to decline due to growing use of generics. In 2005, only 20% of spending was for generics; by 2015, generics are expected to account for 39% of all medication spending. Market share for branded drugs has been declining, from 70% in 2005 to 64% in 2010. By 2015, branded drugs are expected to account for 53% of global medication spending. In emerging markets, 80 cents of every . . .