World retail pharmaceutical sales increased 7% in 12 months to February 1999

Pharmaceutical sales through retail pharmacies in the 12 major marketsaudited by IMS Health increased 7% overall in the 12 months to February 1999, according to new data from the company.

Fastest growth was reported for the USA, where sales advanced 11% to $75.51 billion. This was due, according to IMS, to a combination of managed care, higher branded drug prices and a rise in drug utilization. Genitourinary products had the biggest growth in the US market, up 20%, followed by a 17% rise for musculoskeletal products, due in part to the launch in January of GD Searle's COX-2 inhibitor Celebrex (celecoxib). Sales in Canada also grew 11%, to $4.29 billion, giving total growth of 11% to $79.80 billion for the North American market.

Mexico continued its fast growth, rising 10% to $3.33 billion. Australia and New Zealand combined were also up 10%, to $2.50 billion, and Spain grew at the same rate, reporting sales valued at $5.43 billion.