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  • The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry
  • Facts and figures
  • Global pharmaceutical market
  • Global pharmaceutical expenditure as a share of health expenditure

Global pharmaceutical expenditure as a share of health expenditure

Although health expenditure as a share of GDP may have increased for many countries, pharmaceutical expenditure as a share of health expenditure has declined in the last 15 years for many of the leading OECD economies, and most particularly since 2008. Figures are available for the UK since 2013. The UK had the lowest pharmaceutical spend as a share (12.1%) of health expenditure in 2015, just below the US (12.2%).  This likely reflects in part the extensive use of generic medicines as a percentage of overall pharmaceutical treatments in the UK and US, compared to other OECD countries.

The OECD defines pharmaceutical spending as expenditure on prescription medicines and self-medication, often referred to as over-the-counter products. In some countries, other medical non-durable goods are also included. Pharmaceuticals consumed in hospitals and other healthcare settings are excluded.

Final expenditure on pharmaceuticals includes wholesale and retail margins and value-added tax. Total pharmaceutical spending refers in most countries to “net” spending, i.e. adjusted for possible rebates payable by manufacturers, wholesalers or pharmacies. This indicator is measured as a share of total health spending, in USD per capita (using economy-wide PPPs) and as a share of GDP. Find out more here.

Global pharmaceutical market

  • Global health expenditure as a share of GDP
  • Global pharmaceutical expenditure as a share of health expenditure
  • Top 10 pharmaceutical markets by value (USD)
  • Shares of the global pharmaceutical markets
  • Top 10 pharmaceutical markets by value (USD) 2011-2017
  • Market shares for medicines launched in the previous 5 years

ABPI

The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales 
(registered number 09826787) and its registered office is at 7th Floor Southside,105 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 6QT.
Telephone +44 (0) 207 9303477

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Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority (PMCPA)

The Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority (PMCPA) was established by The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry to operate the ABPI Code of Practice for the Pharmaceutical Industry independently of the ABPI. The PMCPA is a division of ABPI which is a company registered in England and Wales (registered number 09826787) with its registered office at 7th Floor, Southside, 105 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6QT.

Office of Health Economics (OHE)

The Office of Health Economics (OHE) is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (registered number 09848965) and its registered office is at 7th Floor Southside, 105 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 6QT. OHE provides independent research, advisory and consultancy services on policy implications and economic issues within the pharmaceutical, health care and biotechnology sectors.