Drugs for the Elderly: Changing Products and Markets

Report Highlights

• Drugs for the elderly are expected to reach nearly $80 billion by 2007.
• Cardiovascular drugs and blood modifiers will generate more than $20 billion in revenues by the end of the forecast period.
• Revenues by 2007 for central nervous system drugs are expected to reach nearly $17 billion.
• Anti-infective agents will reach $7.26 billion by 2007.

INTRODUCTION

The U.S. elderly population is growing at an annual rate of 1.5% and will reach 37.4 million by 2007, a year that will find the early baby boomers in their sixties. As this generation continues to enter this age group, the need for new and improved drugs is of concern to consumers, health care providers and pharmaceutical manufacturers worldwide. Indeed, the U.S. market for drugs for the elderly clearly will continue to grow. It already had a 2002 value of more than $45.6 billion, with cardiovascular drugs and blood modifiers leading in revenues.

BCC outlines areas that provide opportunities for growth and development in prescription drugs that cater to the over-65 population. The report furnishes the reader with background information on the elderly population in the United States, its growth in the past and future, along with the diseases and conditions that affect the elderly. It looks, in particular, at the following systems: cardiovascular, endocrine, reproductive, gastrointestinal, integumentary, musculoskeletal, neurological, pulmonary, and renal and urinary. It offers explanations of these various areas of concern and discusses incidence, mortality, treatments, market size and market participants.

This timely analysis not only discusses the therapeutic categories in areas in which drugs for the elderly are a major contribution to revenues, but also covers areas where drug research, development and successful marketing strategies may be beneficial to pharmaceutical drug manufacturers. These include areas where the market is overwhelmed with product choices and market penetration may be difficult.

This BCC report is an invaluable tool that provides a thorough evaluation of the U.S. prescription drug market for the elderly. It will be of particular interest, therefore, to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies and their suppliers.

SCOPE OF STUDY

This report provides coverage of:

• 10 segments in which prescription drugs are used
• Current drugs for these areas, and research and development
• Market size
• Competitive structure and market shares
• Market projections through 2007
• Company profiles

METHODOLOGY

The information obtained for this BCC report is based on in-depth first-hand interviews with primary executives, product managers, and clinical specialists in the area of drugs for the elderly. Background information was based on data obtained from various government, , medical journal, and trade magazines. Key information from published literature was used to conduct interviews with over 75 industry participants to confirm conclusions contained in the report. Interviews were also used to validate market size and market share estimates, as well as formulating market forecasts.

All market data pertain to the U.S. market at the manufacturer level. Data are expressed in current U.S. dollars. The base year of the report was 2002. Historical data are provided for 2000 and 2001 and forecast data are provided for 2007. Historical, base year and forecast data are provided for each market segment in the report. Market shares are provided for each market segment for the 2002 base year.

ANALYST CREDENTIALS

Melissa Elder is an experienced healthcare market analyst specializing in prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceuticals. Melissa has worked in the healthcare field for the past eight years and has a wide range of experience.