Report finds vaccines are major area of growth

NEW YORK While generic drugs count for most of the prescription drug growth in this country, one of the biggest areas of growth internationally has been vaccines.

According to a report by Kalorama Information titled “Vaccines 2009: World Market Analysis, Key Players, and Critical Trends in a Fast-Changing Industry,” vaccine sales grew 21.5% since 2007 to reach $19.2 billion, and the market is expected to double by 2013 due to a strong pipeline of new products and rising usage.

“New products and better-than-expected profits, as well as merger activity, have transformed the vaccine marketplace,” Kalorama Information publisher Bruce Carlson said in a statement. “Continued sales of influenza and cervical cancer vaccines have provided a foundation for growth in the adult market. Meanwhile, the pediatric market was fueled by several major products, including Wyeth’s pneumococcal vaccines Prevnar and Merck’s new rotavirus vaccine TotaTeq.”