December 13, 2019
ARLINGTON, Va. — A new analysis published by the HDA Research Foundation indicates that oncology drugs, autoimmune and HIV therapeutics fueled specialty pharmaceutical segment growth in 2018. The 2019 Specialty Pharmaceutical Distribution: Facts, Figures and Trends indicates that oncology therapeutics account for most specialty distributor sales at 48.4 percent.
“Specialty drugs account for nearly half of distribution industry’s sales and will continue to grow in importance as new drugs enter the pipeline,” said Perry Fri, Executive Vice President of Industry Relations, Membership and Education, HDA; and COO of the HDA Research Foundation. “This annual survey offers an insightful perspective and showcases the many important services HDA distributors offer in this sector.”
Specialty pharmaceuticals are generally defined as drugs available in one or more types of delivery systems (infusion, injection, orals, patches, micro-needles). Products are formulated to treat chronic, complex and rare diseases; and meet at least four out of seven criteria related to cost, delivery, distribution and patient care.
Primary report research and data are based on the results of a survey sent to HDA-member specialty distributors. Survey respondents (four companies) were characterized by sales of $1 billion or more in fiscal year 2018; average gross specialty sales of more than $21 billion; and distribution of specialty products to all 50 states. In addition, secondary data were collected from organizations such as IQVIA and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Among other findings from the latest edition:
The 2019 Specialty Pharmaceutical Distribution: Facts, Figures and Trends was made possible through the sponsorship of Genentech, A Member of the Roche Group and Value Drug Company (gold sponsors); Amneal Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Associated Pharmacies, Inc. and Takeda Pharmaceuticals America, Inc. (silver sponsors); and Pharmacy First and Reliance Wholesale Inc. (bronze sponsors).
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.