Retail drug sales in year to November 2008

Retail pharmacy drug sales in 13 major markets during the 12 months to November 2008 have reached $439.1 billion, according to IMS Health's  Retail Drug Monitor. This is a drop compared with the previous monthly  report (Marketletter December 22, 2008). The UK remains the only  country to experience negative growth for the fifth month running  (Marketletters passim). Australia and New Zealand, with a combined  market of $8.1 billion, up 10% (previously 11%), remain the  fastest-expanding region, though Latin America is close behind.

The leading nations in Latin America grew 9%, a dip from 10% in the  previous report, reaching $24.4 billion. Argentina remains the  fastest-expanding market surveyed by IMS, with year-on-year growth at  22% to $3.2 billion reverting to the rate posted for September  (Marketletter November 17, 2008). Brazil held an impressive 11%, the  second-fastest for any single country covered in the survey, reaching  $12.5 billion. Mexico slowed down to 2% growth for $8.6 billion, having  been at 6% earlier in 2008.

Japan now grows faster than Europe's top five