In this article we take a look at the 21 largest generic drug companies . Click to skip ahead and jump to the 10 largest generic drug companies.
Looking for the largest generic drug companies? Drugs, medicines, and healthcare have been more in the news in 2020 than we would have imagined in the beginning of the year. The Covid-19 crisis has put the pharmaceuticals industry forefront like never before and I’m sure you have heard “hydroxychloroquine” more times this year than you intended to! We’ve probably depended on generic drugs all through our lives. Remember popping Tylenol, when that headache you had got a tad bit too nagging? Well, that is acetaminophen! Generic drugs are identified by their chemical formula, and not a brand name. So basically, generic drugs would serve the exact same purpose, just without the brand name, and often at a much cheaper price.
Are you worried that generic drugs might be less effective than their brand name counterparts because of the huge cost difference? Well, not really! Generic drug prices are regulated by the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) and ensured that they are as safe and effective as brand name drugs of the same composition and dosage. Under the FDA Generic Drugs Program, generic drugs are monitored to make sure that these requirements are continuously met and no breaches occur. Over 3500 inspections are undertaken in manufacturing units in a year so that one can take their generic medications without having to worry!
The generic medicines market might not be as lucrative in the pharmaceuticals space, but it is still a huge market with opportunities. The total value of generics in the total pharma sales might add up to a modest 9%-11%, however, by volumes they represent the majority. It is the price difference that brings down the profitability to a certain extent. Generics can be anywhere between 10% to a whopping 80% cheaper than their branded counterparts.
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The market has seen a growth in the recent times due to the constant escalating prices in the healthcare segment. Healthcare is one of the essential industries and the growing demands have put an upward pressure on prices. Generics in this case has increasingly become the preferred choice for several consumers who understand that branded products are actually at par with generics, but we only end up paying more for the brand names.
We are living in times where diseases have been more on the rise than ever before. Covid-19 is the biggest example for infectious diseases that are more prevalent in the current times than what human kind has had to face before. The frequency of infectious diseases have not only increased but is likely to persist as climate conditions deteriorate and there is increasing interference of humans into the ecologies and habitats of wildlife. But, even apart from infectious diseases, it is not hard to see that other conditions are also on the increasing trends - this includes chronic diseases, diabetes & cardiovascular diseases. This is obviously attributable to our sedentary modern lifestyles and unhealthy eating habits. All of these health issues and diseases have given the generic drug market the push. Also, with pressures on healthcare rising and expenditure increasing, generics have turned out to have a favorable market as demands for them rise. The only deterrent for the market has been the stringent government regulations and the wide belief of adverse effects of drugs. Despite this, the generics market is expected to grow here due to new drugs coming into focus, more clinical trials taking place and mass licensing and pooling of resources for new products by vendors.
The generic drug market can further be broken down into several segments. These can be based on product types, applications, distribution channels, and also different regions. By product type the market can be categorized into simple generics, super generics, and biosimilars. While The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not recognize the term ‘super generics’, they are the type of generic products which can be considered as value added generics generics or hybrids. They mainly are different from the original patented drugs in the formulation or method of delivery. They can be seen as the “improved” form of the already known drug. A biosimilar, on the other hand, is a biologic medicine derived from living organisms. Biosimilars are manufactured through sophisticatedly controlled biotechnology processes which are large, complex molecules or mixtures of molecules composed of living material. They are required to be identical to “reference products” and this criteria is highly monitored by the FDA.
Applications include cardiovascular products, anti-infective drugs, anti-cancer drugs, respiratory products, and so on. When considering distribution channels, the market can be segmented according to who the ultimate consumer is, if they are distributed through hospitals for in house use, or sold to ultimate consumers through pharmacies. Private clinics, drug stores, retailers etc. can be other forms of distribution channels used.
The largest generic drug companies are the market leaders commanding over 61% of the total revenue made by the 50 top players in the industry. It is apparent how the market is top-heavy and controlled by the top few. Regionally, North America has the most number of top players while other players are quite distributed. This shows how generics are growing globally, and not concentrated on regional basis, and are being adopted fervently as a lucrative product segment within the pharmaceutical space. Many of the biggest pharmaceutical companies in the world are eager to enter the generics segment either through specialized divisions focusing on generics or through mergers and acquisitions. The competition as such in the market is fierce and the dynamics are in ever-changing mode. The recent merger of Mylan, a generic giant, with pharma giant Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) is a classic example of the same. While the merger has provided Pfizer a strong entry into generic space, the companies now plan to consolidate their generic segment under a Joint venture Viatris, which shall considerably change the market scenario yet again. We have based our findings on the revenue values of the biggest players, and have also reported key performance results for your reference.
So who are currently the largest generic drug companies in the world? Let’s find out!
21. Zentiva
Revenue - $111 million
Number Of Employees - 2,071
Market Cap - N/A
TTM $-N/A
We start off our list with Czech Republic based company involved in producing and marketing a range of generic and OTC products. The company that used to be a part of Sanofi, recently separated from it to become an independent generics market player.
Copyright: zneb076 / 123RF Stock Photo
20. Torrent
Revenue - $1,054.69 million
Number Of Employees - 13,801
Market Cap - 6.091B
TTM $-1,062.15 million
The Indian pharmaceutical unit, under the Torrent Group, is a generic focused company headquartered in the Indian city of Ahmedabad. The company is well-known in the Indian market for its successful implementation of niche marketing.
David Smart/Shutterstock.com
19. Glenmark
Revenue - $1,409.49 million
Number Of Employees - 14,000
Market Cap - 2.049B
TTM $-1,432.54 million
Yet another Indian player in the generics market, Glenmark, is based in the city of Mumbai. The company has just revealed that it has received tentative approval from the USFDA for Axitinib tablets, used in treatment of cancer.
18. Amneal (NYSE:AMRX)
Revenue - $1,626 million
Number Of Employees - 5,500
Market Cap - 639.082M
TTM $-1,726 million
Amneal is the first publicly traded American company on our list of largest generic drug companies. The company produces generic medicines including, specialty products and biosimilars. The specialty segment brings proprietary medicines to the U.S. market with a portfolio ranging in core therapeutic categories including central nervous system disorders, endocrinology, parasitic infections and other therapeutic areas.
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17. Sawai
Revenue - $1,753.43 million
Number Of Employees - 3,066
Market Cap - 2.057B
TTM $-1,750.47 million
Japanese generic medicines focused pharmaceutical company, Sawai, manufactures antibiotics, anticancer agents, and circulatory agents. The company recently became the first in Japan to launch the generic version of Pfizer’s Lyrica pregabalin brand.
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16. Piramal Pharma Solutions
Revenue - $1,771.59 million
Number Of Employees - 6,579
Market Cap - 4.4832B
TTM $-1,742.02 million
Piramal Pharma Solutions is the pharmaceuticals division of Indian Conglomerate Piramal Group. The company’s Generic API division has a wide range of ready to offer APIs across CNS, CVS, Anti-infective, Anti-diabetic divisions along with 10 molecules in the development pipeline for niche segments including hormonal and corticosteroids.
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15. Lupin
Revenue - $2,055.42 million
Number Of Employees - 18,302
Market Cap - 5.84B
TTM $-2,003.18 million
Another one of the Indian players in the generic segment, Lupin, operated in the pediatrics, cardiovascular, anti-infectives, diabetology, asthma and anti-tuberculosis sections.
14. Hikma
Revenue - $2,207.00 million
Number Of Employees - 8,600
Market Cap - 7.7B
TTM $-2,138 million
The UK multinational pharmaceutical company based in London manufactures non-branded generic and in-licensed pharmaceutical products. The company along with Sesen Bio (NASDAQ: SESN) is a pioneer in cancer treatment has through an exclusive licensing agreement partnered for the commercialization of Vicineum for the treatment of BCG-unresponsive non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (“NMIBC”) in the Middle East and North Africa (“MENA”) region.
13. Cipla
Revenue - $2,281.02 million
Number Of Employees - 25,845
Market Cap - 8.32743B
TTM $-2,416.53 million
Indian MNC based in Mumbai, Cipla mainly delves in generics to treat respiratory, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, diabetes, weight control and depression among other diseases.
wavebreakmedia/Shutterstock.com
12. Dr. Reddy's
Revenue - $2m366.96 million
Number Of Employees - 21,650
Market Cap - 11.37B
TTM $- 2,444.77 million
India’s Dr.Reddy's generics segment includes medicines for major therapeutic areas of gastrointestinal ailments, cardiovascular disease, pain management, oncology, anti-infective, pediatrics and dermatology.
bikeriderlondon/Shutterstock.com
11. Aspen Pharmacare
Revenue - $2,563.11 million
Number Of Employees - 9,069
Market Cap - 58.293B
TTM $- 2,613.78 million
Aspen Pharmacare is the largest drug company in Africa. The company experienced increased demand for certain APIs used in the treatment of COVID-19 patients which was a major growth driver this year.
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Disclosure: No positions. 21 largest generic drug companies is originally published on Insider Monkey.
FAQs
Who are the biggest generic drug manufacturer? ›
Revenues of leading global generics manufacturers 2020
With a revenue of 9.5 billion U.S. dollars, Sandoz was the global leading generics manufacturer in 2020. The second ranked company Teva generated 9.3 billion U.S. dollars that year.
Teva. No company has felt the stagnation of the generic drugs market quite like Teva. While its $8.99 billion haul topped the industry in 2021, last year marked the company's fifth straight generics sales decline.
Which is the top generic pharmaceutical company in year 2020? ›Teva is the world's leading generic drug producer. In October 2020- Teva launched first generic versions of HIV-1 treatment Truvada and Atripla. In 2020- Teva has generated revenue of $9.31B from its generic segment.
What is the largest pharmaceutical company in the world 2021? ›- Pfizer. Revenue: USD 81.3 billion. ...
- Roche. Revenue: CHF 62.8 billion (approx. ...
- Abbvie. Revenue: USD 56.1 billion. ...
- Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) Revenue: USD 52.1 billion (pharma sales only) ...
- Novartis. Revenue: USD 51.6 billion. ...
- Bayer. ...
- Merck (Merck Sharp & Dohme) ...
- Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS)
...
Teva Pharmaceuticals.
Teva Pharmaceuticals logo | |
---|---|
Type | Public company |
Website | tevapharm.com teva.co.il |
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries is the world's biggest generic drug manufacturing company based on 2015 revenue.
Where are most generic medicines made? ›"In contrast to brand-name drugs, which are largely made in Europe, generic products and their API are typically made in Asian countries such as India, China, Japan, Singapore, and others."
Why do generic drugs not work the same? ›The generic has to have the same active ingredients and in the same amount as the original. But the other ingredients in the pill, such as fillers, can be different. And that can affect how quickly the medication gets absorbed by your body, Cooperman explains.
Which pharma company is world No 1? ›# | Company | Growth ($m) |
---|---|---|
1 | Pfizer Inc | -776 |
2 | Novartis AG | 4987 |
3 | Merck & Co Inc | 1478 |
4 | Sanofi | 6058 |
There are 365 Generic Pharmaceutical Manufacturing businesses in the US as of 2022, a decline of -2.9% from 2021. Has the number of Generic Pharmaceutical Manufacturing businesses in the US grown or declined over the past 5 years?
Which is better Teva or Mylan? ›
Our comparative analysis shows that Mylan holds an edge over Teva when considering price performance and ESP. However, when considering EV/EBITDA ratios, gross margins, estimate revisions and a more comprehensive look at its previous earnings performance, Teva is clearly a better stock.
What is the largest pharmaceutical company in the world 2022? ›1. Pfizer Inc (US) Pfizer is the world's largest research-based pharmaceutical company. Its research headquarters are located in Groton, Connecticut, America.
What is the richest pharmaceutical company in the world? ›- Johnson & Johnson. Revenue: $93.8 billion. ...
- Pfizer. Revenue: $81.2 billion. ...
- Roche Group. Revenue: $72 billion. ...
- AbbVie. Revenue: $56.2 billion. ...
- Novartis. Revenue: $52.9 billion. ...
- Bayer. Revenue: $52.1 billion. ...
- Merck. Revenue: $51.2 billion. ...
- GSK. Revenue: $46.9 billion.
Teva is the Hebrew word for nature (Hebrew: טבע, "nature").
Is Teva an Israeli company? ›Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd is a Israeli-based pharmaceutical company. The Company operates through three segments: North America, Europe and International Markets. Each business segment manages entire product portfolio in its region, including generics, specialty and over-the-counter (OTC) products.
What does Teva mean on a pill? ›Teva sildenafil is a generic version of Viagra that treats erectile dysfunction (ED) and heart conditions like pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Viagra is so popular that its name has become synonymous with ED treatment — just like Ziploc has with plastic bags.
Which country has the best pharmaceutical industry? ›# | 44 Countries | Million US Dollars |
---|---|---|
1 | #1 Germany | 91,662.64 |
2 | #2 Switzerland | 86,393.38 |
3 | #3 United States | 57,471.36 |
4 | #4 Ireland | 55,197.17 |
In case you're wondering, the league tables look like this: the US leads in the discovery of approved drugs, by a wide margin (118 out of the 252 drugs).
Who makes generic medicine? ›Industry. As of 2019, several major companies traditionally dominate the generic drugs market, including Teva, Mylan, Novartis' Sandoz, Amneal and Endo International.
Where does Walgreens get their generic drugs? ›The Deerfield, Illinois-based company, which operates the Walgreens and Duane Reade pharmacies in the United States and Boots in Britain, has more than 18,750 stores in over 25 countries. It has an agreement to source branded and generic drugs from AmerisourceBergen in the United States.
Where does CVS get their drugs? ›
McKesson primarily supplies CVS Health's Caremark mail and specialty pharmacies.
Do hospitals use generic drugs? ›Many hospitals that take advantage of this higher reimbursement system utilize a large number of generic drugs in their in-hospital pharmacies. In fact, it has been reported that the rate of generic drug usage by in-hospital patients has been increasing [16].
What are the disadvantages of generic medicines? ›Cons of generic drugs:
Patients perceive them as inferior to branded drugs. If they're not co-formulated, higher pill burdens may deter adherence. Overall co-payments for a regimen could result in higher costs to patients. They may have a different pill size/color when generic suppliers change.
Though the names are different, generic and brand-name drugs work the same. According to the FDA, generic drugs are just as effective as their branded counterparts. Generic name drugs typically cost about 80% to 85% less than branded drugs.
Are generic drugs as good as branded? ›Generic medicines work the same as brand-name medicines
A generic medicine is required to be the same as a brand-name medicine in dosage, safety, effectiveness, strength, stability, and quality, as well as in the way it is taken. Generic medicines also have the same risks and benefits as their brand-name counterparts.
Pfizer Completes Transaction to Combine Its Upjohn Business with Mylan. NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) announced today that it has completed the transaction to spin off its Upjohn Business and combine it with Mylan N.V. to form Viatris Inc.
Did Pfizer own Mylan? ›Pfizer is planning to spin-out its generic drugs business into a joint venture with Mylan, in a deal that was due to be completed in the middle of the year. Now that the FTC has formally cleared the merger, the new firm, Viatris, will become a generics giant, with Pfizer owning 57% and Mylan owning 43%.
Why did Pfizer buy Mylan? ›The deal allows Pfizer a greater focus on the innovative drug franchise after its spinoff of its consumer health portfolio into a joint venture with GlaxoSmithKline. Mylan gains Upjohn's global footprint, especially in China.
What is the largest big pharma company? ›Johnson & Johnson
And, despite a run by Pfizer in 2021, J&J was able to hold off its Big Pharma rival and retain the top spot.
Merck! The oldest pharmaceutical company in the world was founded in 1668, in Germany. Friedrich Jacob Merck (1621—1678) acquired a pharmacy called the Engel-Apotheke. Today is still in the possession of the family and open to the public in the heart of Darmstadt, Germany.
Which country exports the most drugs? ›
In 2020, the top exporters of Pharmaceutical products were Germany ($99.5B), Switzerland ($77.9B), Ireland ($67B), United States ($60.4B), and Belgium ($44.4B). In 2020, the top importers of Pharmaceutical products were United States ($134B), Germany ($60.5B), Switzerland ($39B), Belgium ($35.7B), and China ($30.8B).
How do generic drug companies make money? ›Due to the large number of generic drugs dispensed – approximately 89 percent of all prescriptions in the U.S. – even a small margin on a drug can result in a large source of revenue due to the volume of product dispensed. This same dynamic leaves generic manufacturers with relatively little negotiating power.
How long before a drug becomes generic? ›Once a new drug is approved, the FDA provides a guaranteed period during which a generic version cannot be approved, regardless of the time remaining on the new drug's patent. This regulatory exclusivity typically runs for at least six years for new drugs.
What are generic drug names? ›A generic drug is a medication created to be the same as an already marketed brand-name drug in dosage form, safety, strength, route of administration, quality, performance characteristics, and intended use.
Why was Teva sued? ›Teva ponies up $420M to settle with investors who said company hid price-fixing scheme. Generics giant Teva will pay $420 million to settle a lawsuit with shareholders who said the company concealed a price-fixing scheme that allowed it to raise prices on some drugs by more than 1,000%.
Where are Mylan generics made? ›A Mylan factory sits in a Maharashtra Industrial Development Corp. area in Nashik, Maharashtra, India. India is the world's largest exporter of generic drugs, making almost 40 percent of all new generics the FDA approved in 2018 through October.
What is Mylan generic for? ›What Is Mylan Birth Control? Mylan birth control pills are the generic brand of Ortho Tri-Cyclen. The medication is a blend of female hormones (estrogen and progestin) that prevent the release of an egg from the ovaries (ovulation).
Who is the best pharmaceutical company to work for? ›- Sage Therapeutics. Sage Therapeutics, 15 of the best pharma companies to work for. ...
- Genentech, a member of the Roche Group. ...
- Pfizer. ...
- Roche Pharmaceuticals. ...
- Janssen (Johnson & Johnson's pharmaceutical segment) ...
- Novartis. ...
- Merck & Co. ...
- Novo Nordisk.
Pfizer, takes the top spot in 2022, rising from sixth in 2021. Pfizer, specialises in the development of medicines and vaccines across a wide range of disciplines including immunology, oncology, cardiology and neurology.
Are Pfizer and GSK the same company? ›Pfizer, a GSK partner, intends to sell off its stake in the consumer health company when the de-merger occurs. GSK's consumer health business has been a joint venture with Pfizer.
Who is the main shareholder of Pfizer? ›
Stockholder | Stake | Shares owned |
---|---|---|
The Vanguard Group, Inc. | 8.29% | 465,062,213 |
SSgA Funds Management, Inc. | 5.12% | 287,217,028 |
BlackRock Fund Advisors | 5.07% | 284,350,631 |
Capital Research & Management Co.... | 4.46% | 250,126,747 |
For all regulated drugs, China has 230 (13 percent) of the API manufacturing facilities, while the United States has 510 (28 percent), and the rest of the world has 1048 (59 percent).
What is the difference between pharma and Biopharma? ›The primary difference between biopharmaceuticals and traditional pharmaceuticals is the method by which the drugs are produced: The former are manufactured in living organisms such as bacteria, yeast and mammalian cells, whereas the latter are manufactured through a series of chemical synthesis.
What is the oldest pharmaceutical company in the US? ›Johnson & Johnson. Johnson and Johnson is one of the United States' oldest pharmaceutical companies. It began as a medical and surgical equipment producer.
Which is the best pharma company in USA? ›# | Company | Growth (%) |
---|---|---|
1 | Johnson & Johnson | 29.55% |
2 | Gilead Sciences Inc | 175.44% |
3 | Pfizer Inc | -7.57% |
4 | F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd | 4.80% |
Rank | Company | Headquarters |
---|---|---|
Rank1 | CompanySinopharm (pharmaceutical distribution segment) | HeadquartersChina |
Rank2 | CompanyRoche Pharmaceuticals (division of Roche Group) | HeadquartersSwitzerland |
Rank3 | CompanyNovartis | HeadquartersSwitzerland |
Rank4 | CompanyMerck | HeadquartersUSA |
"In contrast to brand-name drugs, which are largely made in Europe, generic products and their API are typically made in Asian countries such as India, China, Japan, Singapore, and others."
Who makes generic medicine? ›Industry. As of 2019, several major companies traditionally dominate the generic drugs market, including Teva, Mylan, Novartis' Sandoz, Amneal and Endo International.
How many generic drug manufacturers are there? ›There are 365 Generic Pharmaceutical Manufacturing businesses in the US as of 2022, a decline of -2.9% from 2021. Has the number of Generic Pharmaceutical Manufacturing businesses in the US grown or declined over the past 5 years?
Which is better Teva or Mylan? ›Our comparative analysis shows that Mylan holds an edge over Teva when considering price performance and ESP. However, when considering EV/EBITDA ratios, gross margins, estimate revisions and a more comprehensive look at its previous earnings performance, Teva is clearly a better stock.
Where does Walgreens get their generic drugs? ›
The Deerfield, Illinois-based company, which operates the Walgreens and Duane Reade pharmacies in the United States and Boots in Britain, has more than 18,750 stores in over 25 countries. It has an agreement to source branded and generic drugs from AmerisourceBergen in the United States.
Where does CVS get their drugs? ›McKesson primarily supplies CVS Health's Caremark mail and specialty pharmacies.
Why do generic drugs not work the same? ›The generic has to have the same active ingredients and in the same amount as the original. But the other ingredients in the pill, such as fillers, can be different. And that can affect how quickly the medication gets absorbed by your body, Cooperman explains.
Why do pharmacies keep change manufacturers? ›The same generic drug, made by a different manufacturer, can indeed look different. Due to certain patent laws that govern brand-name medications, generic drug manufacturers are not allowed to copy how a brand-name pill looks in terms of its shape, its color and its size.
Why are generic drugs cheaper than brand? ›Generic medicines tend to cost less than their brand-name counterparts because they do not have to repeat animal and clinical (human) studies that were required of the brand-name medicines to demonstrate safety and effectiveness.
How long before drugs become generic? ›Generic drugs do not need to contain the same inactive ingredients as the brand name product. However, a generic drug can only be marketed after the brand name drug's patent has expired, which may take up to 20 years after the patent holder's drug is first filed with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Which pharma company is world No 1? ›# | Company | Growth ($m) |
---|---|---|
1 | Pfizer Inc | -776 |
2 | Novartis AG | 4987 |
3 | Merck & Co Inc | 1478 |
4 | Sanofi | 6058 |
Due to the large number of generic drugs dispensed – approximately 89 percent of all prescriptions in the U.S. – even a small margin on a drug can result in a large source of revenue due to the volume of product dispensed. This same dynamic leaves generic manufacturers with relatively little negotiating power.
What are generic drug names? ›A generic drug is a medication created to be the same as an already marketed brand-name drug in dosage form, safety, strength, route of administration, quality, performance characteristics, and intended use.
Why was Teva sued? ›Teva ponies up $420M to settle with investors who said company hid price-fixing scheme. Generics giant Teva will pay $420 million to settle a lawsuit with shareholders who said the company concealed a price-fixing scheme that allowed it to raise prices on some drugs by more than 1,000%.
Where are Mylan generics made? ›
A Mylan factory sits in a Maharashtra Industrial Development Corp. area in Nashik, Maharashtra, India. India is the world's largest exporter of generic drugs, making almost 40 percent of all new generics the FDA approved in 2018 through October.
What is Mylan generic for? ›What Is Mylan Birth Control? Mylan birth control pills are the generic brand of Ortho Tri-Cyclen. The medication is a blend of female hormones (estrogen and progestin) that prevent the release of an egg from the ovaries (ovulation).