New market studies show that Brazil's retail drug market expanded 6% in 2005, reaching a total BRL23.5bn (US$10.33bn). The data -- collated in the Brazilian commercial hub of São Paulo and from 54,000 outlets nationwide -- was sourced directly from private pharmacies.

According to industry group ABC Farma, generics represented around 11% of sales in 2005, but market share is expected to reach 15% this year, with overall retail drug sales set to exceed BRL25bn (US$11bn). The study also claims that pharmacies boosted monthly revenues by 5.8% to an average BRL36,500 (US$16,040).