Espicom's in-depth pharmaceutical market reports are ideal for executives wanting to understand the key drivers in pharmaceutical markets and have access to a wealth of statistical data. Each report opens with an outlook section that provides analysis of the market, 5-year market forecasts, national data projections, market outlook and key developments such as regulation, pricing/reimbursement, intellectual property, health facilities and government policy. The report also provides extensive background information, population trends, health status, health expenditure, organisation & administration, hospital services, medical personnel, healthcare development, market access information, trade data for raw materials and finished products and essential industry contacts. Included with the report are 3 free quarterly updated outlook reports, enabling you to keep up to date with market developments for a year. The USA is the world's largest and wealthiest pharmaceutical market, accounting for around 48% of the world total. Per capita expenditure on drugs is US$1,154 in 2007, nearly double the level found in the rest of the world. The USA is home to some of the most important global manufacturers, such as Pfizer, Merck & Co, or Bristol-Myers Squibb. The US FDA operates one of the world's most authoritative and respected systems of drug regulation, although its reputation has come under scrutiny in the past year amid the safety concerns regarding Vioxx and other cox-2 drugs.

The market, while lucrative, is highly litigious, with the major battle lines drawn between manufacturers of branded and generic drugs. The generic drug sector looks set for rapid growth over the next few years, as a number of major products come off patent. The generic industry is not without its problems, however; several companies have been under investigation for excessive price rises and collusion with branded manufacturers.

The importance of the US pharmaceutical sector is illustrated by the role it has played in the arguments over healthcare reform which have taken place since the 1990s. In November 2003, Congress finally passed legislation which will expand Medicare coverage to include prescription drugs from 2006. The Republican-inspired plan is complex and heavily weighted towards private insurance, however, and its opponents in Congress have vowed to continue to fight against it. Parallel importing of drugs was not included in the 2003 reform, but a number of state and city governments are developing plans to purchase drugs from overseas.