IMS: Global Drug Sales Will Rise in 2011 Despite Patent Losses

Although patent expirations and limits on drug spending can hamper growth of drug sales in developed countries, global pharmaceutical sales are nonetheless expected to grow 5 percent to 7 percent in 2011, according to an annual forecast. The global pharmaceutical market could reach $880 billion in 2011, up from $825 billion in 2010, consulting firm IMS Health says. That expansion is driven in part by explosive growth in China, now the world’s third largest market for pharmaceutical sales.
Drug Industry Daily