Sales of medications were up 5.1% in 2009, to over $300 billion, from a 2008 growth rate of 1.8%, a market research firm reports.
The arrival of new drugs for cancer, thrombosis and other diseases were a main reason for the increase, according to IMS Health, Norwalk, Conn., which conducted the study. Meanwhile, the arrival of lower-cost generic drugs for epilepsy, migraine, and other disorders helped moderate the rise in costs, IHS said.