Research and Markets: Teva Pharmaceuticals Already has a UK Subsidiary but is Set to Increase its UK Presence via Its Acquisition of IVAX - Opportunities and Challenges in the UK Generic Pharmaceuticals Market 2006

Business Wire, March 9, 2006

DUBLIN, Ireland -- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c34159) has announced the addition of Espicom Business Intelligence's Opportunities and Challenges in the UK Generic Pharmaceuticals Market 2006 to their offering.

A growing and valuable market, increasing use of generics and wide acceptance among prescribers. So why should everyone concerned with the UK generics market be cautious?

The UK generics market is one of the world's largest in terms of both size and generic penetration. In 2004 nearly 58% of prescriptions were dispensed as generics. They are well accepted by physicians and patients. Almost all spending is through the National Health Service, which is keen to rein in costs through using cheaper products where possible.

The market has proved a difficult operating environment in recent years, however. There are a large number of small manufacturers, reducing margins. As in the wider global market, there are signs of industry consolidation; for example, Teva Pharmaceuticals already has a UK subsidiary but is set to increase its UK presence via its acquisition of IVAX, which has a significant UK operation. Unlike, say, Germany or the USA, there are no major UK-owned generic manufacturers.

The other major issue for the industry at present is the ongoing investigation into price fixing among UK generic companies. All the companies affected have denied any wrongdoing, but the government is keen to stamp out any such practices, and separate investigations have been launched by the Department of Health and the Serious Fraud Office. Two companies have so far settled out of court with the DOH, although the SFO investigation continues to hang over the industry.

The government's concerns are also evident in the new generic pricing rules issued in 2005, which call for manufacturers and wholesalers to provide details of pricing and costs on a regular basis.

Companies Mentioned Include:

- Alpharma Ltd

- Bristol Laboratories

- Crescent Pharma

- Dr Reddy's Laboratories (UK) Ltd

- Goldshield Pharmaceuticals Ltd

- IVAX Pharmaceuticals

- Kent Pharmaceuticals

- Perrigo UK Ltd

- Pliva Pharma Ltd

- Ranbaxy (UK) Ltd

- Sandoz

- Teva UK

- Winthrop Pharmaceuticals

- Wockhardt UK Ltd

- AAH Pharmaceuticals Ltd

- Phoenix Healthcare Distribution Ltd

- Boots

- Lloyds Pharmacy

- Superdrug

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c34159