December 18, 2018
ARLINGTON, Va. — Data published by the HDA Research Foundation reveal the changing market dynamics of the nearly $200 billion specialty pharmaceutical supply chain segment — and the important role HDA-member specialty pharmaceutical distributors play within it. The 2018 Specialty Pharmaceutical Distribution: Facts, Figures and Trends publication is based on an annual survey of HDA-member specialty distributors with sales greater than $1 billion for the 2017 (or most recently completed) fiscal year, and includes secondary data from leading healthcare organizations, such as IQVIA.
For the latest edition, the HDA Research Foundation updated its definition of specialty pharmaceuticals to align with IQVIA and other organizations. Specialty pharmaceuticals include those that treat chronic, complex and rare diseases while meeting at least four out of seven criteria related to cost, delivery, distribution and patient care. Information on specialty delivery models, payer/insurance-related issues and the continued emergence of biosimilars also is covered.
“Over the past five years, specialty product sales grew to comprise 43 percent of the total U.S. pharmaceutical market,” said Perry Fri, Executive Vice President of Industry Relations, Membership and Education, HDA; and COO of the HDA Research Foundation. “Our research quantifies the valuable role specialty distributors play, while analyzing the various factors that may lead to more modest segment growth in the coming years.”
Among the data reported in the latest edition:
The HDA Research Foundation is the 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization of the Healthcare Distribution Alliance (HDA). The Foundation serves the healthcare industry by providing research and education focused on healthcare supply chain issues. The Foundation’s mission is to conduct research and disseminate information that will enhance the knowledge base, efficiency and effectiveness of the total healthcare supply chain; and to provide thought leadership to further enhance the safety and security of the healthcare supply chain through future-focused study and programming.
The Healthcare Distribution Alliance (HDA) represents primary pharmaceutical distributors — the vital link between the nation’s pharmaceutical manufacturers and pharmacies, hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics and others nationwide. Since 1876, HDA has helped members navigate regulations and innovations to get the right medicines to the right patients at the right time, safely and efficiently. The HDA Research Foundation, HDA’s non-profit charitable foundation, serves the healthcare industry by providing research and education focused on priority healthcare supply chain issues.