Retail drug sales in year to February 2009

Retail pharmacy drug sales in 13 major markets during the 12 months to February 2009 have reached $436.0 billion, according to IMS Health's  Retail Drug Monitor. This is a drop compared with the previous monthly  report (Marketletter April 13). Although the UK remains the only  country to experience negative growth - for the eighth month running  (Marketletters passim) - three other countries in the survey saw no  movement. Latin America, up 9% to $23.5 billion, followed by Australia  and New Zealand, with a combined market of $7.5 billion, up 7%,  were the fastest-expanding regions.

Argentina remains the fastest-growing market surveyed by IMS, with a  year-on-year rise of 22% to $3.2 billion, back down from 23%. Brazil  held on for 11% growth, the second-fastest for any single country  covered in the survey, reaching $12.0 billion. Mexico stagnated with  no change, with sales of $8.1 billion.

Japan grows faster than Europe's top five