Generics to jump in Japan
The Japanese generics market, which currently accounts for less than 20% of the overall Japanese drug market, is expected to increase its share to 25-30% over the next three to five years.
The Japanese generics market, which currently accounts for less than 20% of the overall Japanese drug market, is expected to increase its share to 25-30% over the next three to five years.
Such forecasts are attracting international pharma companies into Japan, including Novartis, whose generic arm Sandoz is the world's second-largest supplier of generic drugs. The Swiss company's launch of a major programme to expand its range and sales of generic drugs in Japan, with, according to ceo Andreas Rummelt, particular emphasis on cancer drugs, may spell bad news for domestic firms, which are often dwarfed by their foreign counterparts.
Sandoz achieved global sales of about ¥550bn in 2005, and aims to reach ¥l.17 trillion in 2010. In comparison, Towa Pharmaceutical, a leading Japanese generic drug maker, had consolidated sales of just ¥24.7bn in the year to March 2005.
The Japanese generic drug market centres on clinics, but Sandoz will also promote the use of generics at large hospitals. Sandoz posted sales in Japan of ¥3.2bn in 2005.