IMS INSIGHTS Rx SALES SLOWING

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U.S. prescription products sales growth

After years of double-digit growth, the U.S. pharma market has moderated, growing by 10.6% in the 12 months ending June 2004. Year-to-date sales of branded products, excluding branded generics,

grew 8.7%. Factors include fewer new-product launches and slower prescription growth overall, including a relatively weak flu season, and lower-than-expected growth in PPIs and antihistamines. Approvals for generic Cipro, Paxil and Wellbutrin in 2003 are still eroding branded sales. "This is a challenging time for the pharmaceutical industry," says Paul Wilson, senior vice president, statistical services, IMS Health.