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Pharmaceuticals - South Africa

South Africa
  • South Africa's Pharmaceuticals market is expected to generate revenue of US$3.46bn in 2025.
  • Among the various markets, the largest market in South Africa is Oncology Drugs, with a projected market volume of US$616.19m in 2025.
  • Looking ahead, the Pharmaceutical market in South Africa is anticipated to exhibit an annual growth rate of 4.41% (CAGR 2025-2029), resulting in a market volume of US$4.11bn by 2029.
  • When compared globally, United States is expected to generate the highest revenue, with an estimated US$660.04bn in 2025.
  • South Africa's pharmaceutical market is witnessing a surge in demand for generic drugs due to their affordability and accessibility.

Definition:
The Pharmaceuticals market covers remedies used to cure, treat, prevent, and diagnose diseases. These small molecule drugs or biologic medical products may be called drugs, medications, or medicines. Prescription drugs and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs are both included. Next generation therapies are also part of the Pharmaceuticals market and include gene therapy, cell therapy, and nucleic acid therapy. Cell therapies involve the use of living cells to replace or repair damaged tissues within the patient's body, or to modify cells to perform specific functions. Gene therapies focus on altering a patient’s genetic material to regulate the production of certain proteins. Nucleic acid therapies use short strands of DNA or RNA to inhibit the production of harmful proteins associated with diseases and promote the generation of therapeutic proteins. Depending on the regulations in each country, these products are provided by pharmacies, hospitals, physicians, and/or drug stores, and/or they can be bought elsewhere. They may be administered in the form of pills, capsules, gels, ointments, injections, infusions, lozenges, or aerosols/sprays.

Structure:
The market is subdivided into Oncology Drugs, Anti-Diabetes Drugs, Anti-Rheumatic Drugs, Vaccines, Dermatological Drugs, Antiviral Drugs, Immunosuppressants, Bronchodilator Drugs, Sensory Organ Drugs, Anti-Hypertensive Drugs, Anti-Coagulants, Anti-Fibrinolytic Drugs, Multiple Sclerosis Drugs, Lipid-Lowering Agents and Other Pharmaceuticals. The Pharmaceuticals market is organized in markets that cover drugs used in specific medical fields, i.e., medicines for a specific disesase or a certain type of medicine. They include original brands, biosimilars, generics, and orphan drugs.The Oncology Drugs market covers pharmaceutical products specifically developed for the treatment and management of various cancers. The Anti-Diabetes Drugs market covers medications designed to manage blood glucose levels and improve insulin sensitivity in individuals with diabetes. The market Anti-Rheumatic Drugs includes pharmaceuticals specifically developed to alleviate symptoms, reduce inflammation, and modify the progression of rheumatic diseases. The Dermatological Drugs market covers pharmaceuticals formulated to treat and manage a wide range of skin conditions such as eczema, acne, and rosacea. The Antiviral Drugs market includes medications designed to treat viral infections and reducing the severity and duration of symptoms. The Immunosuppressants market covers pharmaceuticals that suppress the immune system's activity. The Bronchodilator Drugs market covers pharmaceuticals designed to relax and widen the airways in the lungs. The Sensory Organ Drugs market covers pharmaceuticals targeting the treatment of disorders and conditions affecting sensory organs such as the eyes, ears and nose. The Anti-hypertensive Drugs market covers pharmaceuticals designed to lower blood pressure levels. The Anti-Coagulants Drugs market covers pharmaceuticals developed to prevent the formation of blood clots or to dissolve existing clots. The Anti-Fibrinolytics Drugs market covers pharmaceuticals designed to inhibit the breakdown of blood clots. The Multiple Sclerosis Drugs market covers pharmaceuticals aimed at managing and modifying the course of multiple sclerosis. The Lipid-Lowering Agents market covers pharmaceuticals developed to reduce levels of cholesterol and other lipids in the blood. The Other Pharmaceuticals market provides information on additional specialties that are not covered by the main markets.

Additional information:
Market values represent the revenues generated by manufacture prices paid to primary vendors, either directly or through distribution channels (excluding VAT). Reported market revenues include spending by consumers (B2C), companies (B2B), and governments (B2G).

Company examples: Novartis, Roche, Pfizer, Merck & Co, Johnson & Johnson, AbbVie, Sanofi.

In-Scope
  • Prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs
  • Small molecule drugs and biologic medical products
  • Vaccines
  • Original brands, biosimilars, and generics
  • Next-generation therapeutics
Out-Of-Scope
  • Veterinary drugs
  • Medical devices
  • Profit of wholesalers, pharmacies, hospitals, and clinics
Pharmaceuticals: market data & analysis - Cover

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Pharmaceuticals: market data & analysis
Study Details

    Revenue

    Notes: Data shown is using current exchange rates and reflects market impacts of the Russia-Ukraine war.

    Most recent update: Jun 2024

    Source: Statista Market Insights

    Notes: The chart “Comparable Estimates” shows the forecasted development of the selected market from different sources. Please see the additional information for methodology and publication date.

    Most recent update: Mar 2024

    Analyst Opinion

    The Pharmaceuticals market in South Africa has seen significant growth in recent years, with a range of factors contributing to this trend.

    Customer preferences:
    South African consumers are increasingly focused on health and wellness, leading to a growing demand for pharmaceutical products. Additionally, an aging population has resulted in a higher prevalence of chronic diseases, further driving demand for pharmaceuticals.

    Trends in the market:
    One major trend in the South African pharmaceuticals market is the increasing use of generic drugs. This is due to a number of factors, including the high cost of patented drugs and the government's efforts to promote the use of generics in order to make healthcare more affordable and accessible.Another trend is the growing importance of e-commerce in the pharmaceuticals market. Online pharmacies are becoming increasingly popular, particularly among younger consumers who are comfortable with digital technologies.

    Local special circumstances:
    South Africa has a complex healthcare system, with both public and private sectors playing important roles. The public sector is responsible for providing healthcare to the majority of the population, while the private sector serves a smaller, more affluent segment of the population. This has led to a two-tiered system, with significant disparities in access to healthcare and pharmaceuticals.

    Underlying macroeconomic factors:
    South Africa's pharmaceuticals market is heavily influenced by macroeconomic factors, including the country's economic growth rate and government policies related to healthcare. In recent years, economic growth has been relatively slow, which has had a negative impact on the pharmaceuticals market. However, the government's focus on promoting healthcare access and affordability has helped to offset some of these challenges.Overall, the South African pharmaceuticals market is expected to continue growing in the coming years, driven by factors such as increasing demand for healthcare and the growing importance of e-commerce. However, challenges related to economic growth and healthcare access will continue to be important considerations for companies operating in this market.

    Next generation therapy

    Notes: Data shown is using current exchange rates and reflects market impacts of the Russia-Ukraine war.

    Most recent update: Sep 2024

    Source: Statista Market Insights

    Global Comparison

    Most recent update: Jun 2024

    Source: Statista Market Insights

    Methodology

    Data coverage:

    Data encompasses B2B, B2G, and B2C spend. Figures are based on drug revenues allocated to the country where the money is spent. Monetary values are given at manufacturer price level excluding VAT.

    Modeling approach / Market size:

    Market sizes are determined by a top-down approach, based on a specific rationale for each market. As a basis for evaluating markets, we use financial information of the key players by market. Next, we use relevant key market indicators and data from country-specific associations, such as industry associations. This data helps us estimate the market size for each country individually.

    Forecasts:

    In our forecasts, we apply diverse forecasting techniques. The selection of forecasting techniques is based on the behavior of the particular market. For example, forecasts are based on historical developments, current trends, and key market indicators, using advanced statistical methods. The main driver is healthcare expenditure. Expiring patents and new drugs in the pipeline are also considered.

    Additional notes:

    Data is modeled in US$ using current exchange rates. The market is updated twice per year in case market dynamics change. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is considered at a country-specific level. This market comprises prescription drugs and all OTC drugs covered in the Statista OTC Pharmaceuticals market. However, in the OTC Pharmaceuticals market, revenues are based on end-consumer prices.

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    Pharmaceuticals: market data & analysis - BackgroundPharmaceuticals: market data & analysis - Cover

    Key Market Indicators

    Notes: Based on data from IMF, World Bank, UN and Eurostat

    Most recent update: Jan 2025

    Source: Statista Market Insights

    Explore more high-quality data on related topic

    Global pharmaceutical industry - statistics & facts

    The global pharmaceutical industry has experienced significant growth during the past two decades, with revenues totaling around 1.6 trillion U.S. dollars in 2023. With growth like that, the industry's size is now comparable to the gross domestic products (GDPs) of countries like Spain, Mexico, or Australia.
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