Depending on your viewpoint, generic drugs represent either the future of the global pharmaceutical industry or an irritating drain on the revenues of R&D based companies. The sector continues to grow in importance, fuelled by the twin pressures of therapeutically significant products coming off patent and health provider demands for lower prices. Analysts in industry and commerce must have a clear understanding of the threats and opportunities in key markets worldwide.

Generics market reports from Espicom Business Intelligence are produced by a multi-lingual editorial team with over 25 years pharmaceutical market experience. And when that experience is combined with one of the best healthcare market databases around, and informed by direct access to over 1200 companies and organisations worldwide, you have unbeatable, reliable, qualified and enriched market analysis. Switzerland represents a very wealthy and mature pharmaceutical and healthcare market. Healthcare spending accounts for 11.1% of GDP, with per capita spending the second highest in the world after the USA. Swiss per capita spending on pharmaceuticals is estimated at US$13 in 2006, with the market itself worth US$5.3 billion at consumer prices.
Market development in recent years has been characterised by strong growth in the generics sector, with sales currently rising by 20-30% per year. While originator drugs still dominate the market, cost pressures will further increase generic usage. OTC market development is expected to slow, while growth of the reimbursable drug market is expected remain strong, due to rising private costs and patients paying greater contributions in general. Switzerland has a highly decentralised political system, making the market fragmented. Reimbursement policies and drug use may vary widely from Canton to Canton. The country is not a member of the EU. While most pharmaceutical regulations are broadly aligned with EU directives, differences can and do occur.
There are only a handful of domestic generic companies, and even these are small. Teva and Sandoz are taking a strong interest in the market. Generic prices are currently high compared with other European countries, although increased international competition should see this change.

This in-depth report provides a wide-ranging examination of the generic pharmaceuticals market, including the operating environment, current market size, future prospects and five-year market projections.