HDMA cites 86% of drug sales via distributors

The 82nd edition of the HDMA Factbook finds that pharmaceutical sales through primary healthcare distributors totaled nearly $263 billion in 2009, accounting for 86 percent of sales in the channel. The publication is produced by the Center for Healthcare Supply Chain Research, the research foundation of the Healthcare Distribution Management Association.

The Factbook, available for $95, finds also that a typical HDMA member distribution center handled a daily average of 1,710 orders in 2009, delivering more than 91,000 products each day to pharmacies, hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities and other outlets nationwide. According to an announcement, net profit margins held at an average of 1 percent.

HDMA's stat of 86 percent of sales in 2009 aligns with the more than 90 percent of drugs handled in the U.S. by the big 3 drug distributors--AmerisourceBergen, McKesson and Cardinal Health. That figure is cited by Peyton Howell, senior VP at AmerisourceBergen, in our recent report, "The Big 3 Distributors." Each of the Big 3 maintains an HDMA presence.

- see the announcement