Infographic – Cancer Drugs Main Pharma Money Source

Click on image for full-size view (Statista)

12 Feb. 2022. In December, we ran a chart showing vaccines make up a small fraction of overall drug sales worldwide, even Covid-19 vaccines. Our infographic this weekend broadens the issue to revenue sources overall for drug makers, and the leader by a wide margin is cancer drugs.

The infographic’s data are compiled by business research company Statista in its Health Market Outlook, a paid report, and displayed in a chart earlier this month. Statista’s data show global cancer drug sales brought in $176 billion in 2021, 17 percent of total pharmaceutical industry revenues of $1.05 trillion. Vaccine sales totaled nearly $89 billion last year, with diabetes and rheumatic drugs for arthritis and other inflammatory conditions each selling $55 to $56 billion.

By 2026, however, cancer drug sales are expected to grow to nearly $321 billion, making up 23 percent of all pharma revenues. Also by 2026, vaccine sales are projected to fall to $55 billion, but immunosuppressant drugs — biologics that limit the immune system — are expected to grow to $77 billion and take over second place. Pharma companies gained about $40 billion from anti-viral drugs in 2021, but that sales volume is not expected to grow much, reaching less than $44 billion in 2026.

Statista compiled the data from business, consumer, and government spending on pharmaceuticals, with projections based on models composed of financial, health care, and economic variables.

More from Science & Enterprise:

• Partnership Seeks Lower-Cost Protein Drugs
• Infographic – Most of World Waits for Vaccines
• Coupons, Vouchers Used for Few Prescription Drugs

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