Skip to main content
  1. Market Insights
  2. Health
  3. Pharmacies

Prescription Drugs - North America

North America
  • In North America, the revenue in the Prescription Drugs market is forecasted to reach US$413.90bn by 2024.
  • The market is projected to witness an annual growth rate (CAGR 2024-2029) of 3.96%, leading to a market volume of US$502.70bn by 2029.
  • When compared globally, United States is expected to generate the highest revenue, amounting to US$358.90bn in 2024.
  • Taking into account the total population figures, per person revenues of US$811.20 are estimated for 2024.
  • In the North American prescription drug market, Canada's strong regulatory system ensures high-quality and safe medications for its population.

Definition:
The Prescription Drugs market includes pharmaceuticals and other medical products that are sold in pharmacies and are only available on prescription.

Additional information:
The market comprises revenue and revenue growth. Revenues are generated through offline and online spending by (B2C) consumers and include VAT.
For more information on the data displayed, use the info button next to the boxes.

In-Scope

  • Prescription pharmaceuticals
  • Prescription medical products

Out-Of-Scope

  • OTC pharmaceuticals
  • OTC medical products
  • Pharmacy-usual items
Prescription Drugs: market data & analysis - Cover

Market Insights report

Prescription Drugs: market data & analysis

Study Details

    Revenue

    Notes: Data was converted from local currencies using average exchange rates of the respective year.

    Most recent update: Jun 2024

    Source: Statista Market Insights

    Most recent update: Jun 2024

    Source: Statista Market Insights

    Analyst Opinion

    The Prescription Drugs (Pharmacies) market in North America is experiencing significant growth due to various factors.

    Customer preferences:
    Customers in North America have a strong preference for convenience and accessibility when it comes to purchasing prescription drugs. They value the ability to easily access their medications without long wait times or the need for multiple trips to the pharmacy. As a result, there has been a rise in the popularity of online pharmacies and home delivery services. Customers appreciate the convenience of being able to order their medications from the comfort of their own homes and have them delivered directly to their doorstep. This trend is driven by the increasing use of technology and the desire for a seamless shopping experience.

    Trends in the market:
    One of the key trends in the Prescription Drugs (Pharmacies) market in North America is the increasing adoption of e-prescriptions. Electronic prescriptions allow healthcare providers to send prescriptions directly to pharmacies, eliminating the need for paper prescriptions. This not only improves efficiency and reduces errors, but also enhances convenience for both healthcare providers and patients. E-prescriptions can be easily transmitted and processed, resulting in faster turnaround times and improved patient satisfaction. Another trend in the market is the growing demand for generic drugs. Generic drugs are more affordable alternatives to brand-name medications and offer the same therapeutic benefits. With rising healthcare costs and increasing pressure to reduce healthcare spending, customers are turning to generic drugs as a cost-effective solution. This trend is further supported by government initiatives and policies that promote the use of generic drugs to drive down healthcare costs.

    Local special circumstances:
    In the United States, the Prescription Drugs (Pharmacies) market is heavily influenced by the complex healthcare system. The presence of insurance providers and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) plays a significant role in shaping customer preferences and market dynamics. Customers often rely on their insurance coverage and the guidance of PBMs to navigate the prescription drug purchasing process. This has led to a concentration of market power among a few major players who negotiate drug prices and determine which drugs are covered by insurance plans. As a result, pharmacies need to adapt to the changing dynamics of the healthcare system and work closely with insurance providers and PBMs to meet customer needs.

    Underlying macroeconomic factors:
    The Prescription Drugs (Pharmacies) market in North America is also influenced by macroeconomic factors such as population growth, aging demographics, and healthcare expenditure. The aging population in North America is driving increased demand for prescription drugs, as older individuals are more likely to require medication for chronic conditions. Additionally, rising healthcare expenditure and government initiatives to improve access to healthcare are contributing to the growth of the market. As healthcare becomes more accessible and affordable, more individuals are seeking prescription drugs, leading to increased demand for pharmacies. In conclusion, the Prescription Drugs (Pharmacies) market in North America is growing due to customer preferences for convenience and accessibility, the adoption of e-prescriptions, the demand for generic drugs, the influence of the healthcare system, and underlying macroeconomic factors. Pharmacies in North America need to adapt to these trends and special circumstances in order to meet customer needs and remain competitive in the market.

    Global Comparison

    Most recent update: Jun 2024

    Source: Statista Market Insights

    Methodology

    Data coverage:

    The data encompasses B2C enterprises. Figures are based on offline and online spending by consumers, including VAT. Not included are B2B and B2G sales, or other pharmaceutical sales through hospitals or retail stores such as supermarkets.

    Modeling approach:

    Market sizes are determined through a bottom-up approach, building on specific predefined factors for each market market. As a basis for evaluating markets, we use industry associations, third-party studies and reports and survey results from our primary research (e.g., the Statista Global Consumer Survey). In addition, we use relevant key market indicators and data from country-specific associations, such as healthcare expenditure per country, consumer healthcare spending, GDP and internet penetration. 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 relevant market. For example, forecasts are based on historical developments, current trends, and key market indicators, using advanced statistical methods. For forecasting digital trends such as the online-pharmacy sales share we use exponential trend smoothing and the s-curve method. The main drivers are healthcare expenditure per country and consumer healthcare spending.

    Additional notes:

    The data is modeled using current exchange rates. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war are considered at a country-specific level. The market is updated twice a year. GCS data is reweighted for representativeness.

    Health

    Access more Market Insights on Health topics with our featured report

    Prescription Drugs: market data & analysis - BackgroundPrescription Drugs: market data & analysis - Cover

    Key Market Indicators

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

    Most recent update: Sep 2024

    Source: Statista Market Insights

    Explore more high-quality data on related topic

    Pharma e-commerce – statistics & facts

    The global online pharmacy sector was estimated at 32 billion U.S. dollars by the end of 2023. In the United States, forecasts indicate that this figure would reach approximately 5.7 billion, solidifying its position as one of the largest online pharmacy markets. However, China dominates the pharma e-commerce industry worldwide, generating nearly 8.5 billion dollars in revenue. With China at the forefront, it is no wonder digital pharmacies make up the fastest-growing segment in the Asian digital health market.
    More data on the topic

    Contact

    Get in touch with us. We are happy to help.