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 Up next:pharmaceuticals. The proposed tariffs on these might be an impressive 200%!!

Copilot:

What countries are the major sellers of pharmaceuticals to the US?

In 2024, the U.S. imported $234 billion worth of medicinal and pharmaceutical products, and the top sellers were a mix of European powerhouses and global pharma hubs:

🌍 Top 10 Exporters to the U.S.                                                  

🧪 Why Ireland leads: Ireland’s dominance stems from its role as a manufacturing base for major pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, and AbbVie. Its favorable tax policies and skilled workforce make it a global pharma hub.

💊 What’s being sold: These countries supply everything from biologics and vaccines to generic drugs and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).

Want to explore how these imports shape U.S. healthcare costs or drug availability?

What share of pharmaceuticals do Americans consume??

📊 While the U.S. accounts for about 4% of the global population, it consumes roughly 8% of the world’s prescription drugs—not the exaggerated figures you might see floating around online.

Here’s a breakdown of what that means:

🧪 In 2022, Americans used about 243 billion defined daily doses of prescription medicines

🌍 Globally, around 3.2 trillion defined daily doses were consumed that same year

💊 About 66% of American adults take prescription medications, often for chronic conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and mental health

Despite not being the largest consumer by volume, the U.S. leads the world in pharmaceutical spending, accounting for 45% of global drug sales in 2023. That’s because Americans tend to use more expensive branded drugs, and prices are generally higher than in other countries.

Want to explore how this spending compares to other countries or how it affects healthcare costs?

For comparison, what share of pharmaceuticals does Canada consume. Does Canada also consume expensive medecines??

🇨🇦 Canada consumes about 2.2% of the global pharmaceutical market, making it the 8th largest in the world. That’s modest compared to the U.S., which consumes around 8% by volume and 45% by sales—but Canada still punches above its weight in spending.

💸 Does Canada consume expensive medicines? Absolutely. Here’s how that plays out:

Brand-name drugs make up 80.5% of Canadian pharmaceutical sales by value, even though they account for just 25.7% of prescriptions

Generics, while cheaper, represent 74.3% of prescriptions but only 19.5% of sales

High-cost drugs (like biologics and rare disease treatments) are used by just 2.5% of patients, yet they account for over one-third of public drug plan spending

In 2023, Ozempic alone made up 20% of the growth in public drug program spending

📈 Total pharmaceutical spending in Canada reached $41 billion in 2023, with:

43% paid by public plans

37% by private insurers

20% out-of-pocket by Canadians

So yes, Canada consumes expensive medicines—especially biologics, patented drugs, and specialty treatments. Want to explore how this affects healthcare access or what reforms are being proposed?

                                                                       

I am surprised to see China at number 2 in consumption. Obviously due to high population...

It is pretty striking, isn’t it? 🇨🇳 China’s sheer scale—1.4 billion people—plays a huge role in its pharmaceutical market size. But it’s not just population:

💊 What pushes China up the ranks?

Massive investments in domestic healthcare infrastructure

Expanding insurance coverage and public health programs

Rising demand for chronic disease treatments as lifestyles shift

Rapid growth in biotech and generic drug manufacturing

And interestingly, China isn’t just consuming—it’s also becoming a major producer and exporter of pharmaceuticals, especially active ingredients (APIs) used in medications worldwide.

So while the numbers reflect volume, they also mirror a transformation in how China approaches healthcare. Want to see how China’s pharmaceutical landscape compares to Canada’s or the U.S.’s in terms of quality and access?

Overall, what countries are the greatest producers of pharmaceuticals?

🌍 The global pharmaceutical stage is dominated by a mix of innovation hubs, manufacturing giants, and export powerhouses. Here's a look at the top producers of pharmaceuticals based on total output value in 2024:

                                                                                     

🔬 Why these countries lead:

U.S.: Massive R&D investment, advanced infrastructure, and global pharma giants like Pfizer and Merck

China & India: Major suppliers of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and generics

Germany & Switzerland: Precision manufacturing and innovation, home to companies like Roche and Novartis

Ireland: Strategic tax policies and export-friendly logistics

These countries shape everything from drug discovery to global supply chains. Want to explore how Canada fits into this picture or which of these countries specialize in biologics vs generics?

So how does Canada fit in?

🇨🇦 Canada may not crack the top 10 in pharmaceutical production by output value, but it plays a strategic and innovative role in the global pharma ecosystem. Here's how it fits in:

🔬 Global Ranking & Market Share

Canada is the 8th largest pharmaceutical market globally, with about 2.2% of global sales2

Its 2024 market size was estimated at $51.6 billion, projected to grow steadily due to aging demographics and rising demand for innovative drugs

🏭 Production & Manufacturing

Canada’s pharmaceutical sector includes brand-name, generic, and biopharmaceutical companies

Manufacturing is concentrated in Toronto, Montréal, and Vancouver, employing over 33,000 people

While not a top exporter, Canada is a net importer, sourcing heavily from the U.S. and EU

💡 Innovation & R&D

Canada invests in biomanufacturing, gene therapies, and nanomedicines

In 2021, pharma R&D spending hit $922.9 million, with Ontario and Québec leading the charge

Canadian CROs (Contract Research Organizations) are increasingly vital in global drug development

🌐 Trade & Partnerships

The U.S. is Canada’s main trading partner, accounting for 64% of exports and 29% of imports

Canada also imports heavily from Germany, Switzerland, and Ireland, reflecting its reliance on high-value branded drugs

Canada may not be a production powerhouse like the U.S. or China, but it’s a critical player in innovation, clinical research, and market demand. Want to explore how Canada could boost its manufacturing footprint or expand its export potential?