The Drugs That Bring in the Most Pharma Revenue

Worldwide cancer drug sales are already way ahead of those of other drug classes and the revenue generated by them is expected to grow even larger by 2026. This is according to the Statista Health Market Outlook.

Oncology drugs reached $176 billion in sales in 2021, more than double that of the next item on the list, vaccines with $88.6 billion dollars in sales. By 2026, cancer drug sales are expected to almost double to $320.6 billion. Considering worldwide prescription and over-the-counter drug sales, cancer drugs are expected to approach 22 percent of the market in 2026.

The Covid-19 vaccine heyday is projected to be over by 2026, however. By that year, immunosuppressants are expected to be the drug class with the second-largest sales at $77 billion.

Cancer drugs are extremely pricey and therefore generate high revenues, with costs of a cancer treatment at above $100,000 per patient. Cancer rates themselves are also rising with humans increasing their lifespans. Money funneled into cancer research means new medications coming out, which improves cancer treatment but might also increase its price as pharmaceutical companies charge a premium for the newly researched and released drugs.