US Generic Drugs Market Size, Share, and Trends 2024 to 2034

US Generic Drugs Market (By Drug Type: Simple Generics, Super Generics; By Brand: Pure Generic Drugs, Branded Generic Drugs; By Route of Administration: Oral, Injection, Cutaneous, Others; By Distribution Channels; By Therapeutic Application) - Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2023-2033

  • Last Updated : February 2024
  • Report Code : 2486
  • Category : Healthcare

The US generic drugs market size was evaluated at USD 133.44 billion in 2023 and is projected to hit around USD 189.77 billion by 2033, registering a CAGR of 3.5% from 2024 to 2033.

US Generic Drug Market Size 2024 to 2033

Key Takeaways

  • By type, the pure generic drugs segment accounted for the largest market.
  • By route of administration, the oral segment contributed to the biggest market.
  • By therapeutic application, the cardiovascular segment captured more market share.
  • By Distribution channels, the online pharmacies accounted largest revenue share.

US Generic Drugs Market Overview

Generic drugs are off-patent drugs that are bioequivalent to the original drug in terms of dosage, strength, quality, form, efficacy, intended use, side effects, and route of administration. In the United States, there has been a significant increase in the production of generic drugs, which are cheaper than the original drugs and do not require extensive research and testing. In addition, the introduction of generic drugs has improved patient access and saved taxpayers, employers, and insurers, sustaining the nation's healthcare system. 

Moreover, the market is currently experiencing significant growth due to the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases across the region, such as B. Cardiovascular disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease. The FDA Generic Drug Program conducts rigorous preapproval reviews to ensure that generic drugs meet these requirements. In addition, the FDA conducts inspections of manufacturing facilities to ensure they comply with agency regulations on good manufacturing practices. 

Covid 19 Impact:

During Covid 19 pandemic, there is more need of medicines, and generic manufacturers and biosimilar medicines are working day and night to provide needed medicines to Americans. in covid the supply chain is disturb as increasing demand for generic drugs. Because of government restrictions regarding safety and because of boundaries restrictions there is a lack of manufacturing materials and it impacts the manufacturing units and disturbs the supply chain. 

COVID-19 is testing is compulsory in the healthcare system, raising concerns about equity, exploding capacity, social safety nets, and data collection, The pharmaceutical supply chain is disturbed as drug shortages occur mainly in generic drugs. But now, several factors are straining the supply chain, increasing the potential for shortages and risks.

US Generic Drugs Market Scope

Report Coverage Details
Market Size in 2023 USD 133.44 Billion
Market Size by 2033 USD 189.77 Billion
Growth Rate from 2024 to 2033 CAGR of 3.5%
Base Year 2023
Forecast Period 2024 to 2033
Segments Covered By Drug Type, By Brand, By Route of Administration, By Therapeutic Application, By Distribution Channels


US Generic Drugs Market Dynamics

Pure generic drugs drive the growth of the market

Generic medicines tend to be less expensive than branded medicines because they do not have to repeat the animal and clinical (human) studies that branded medicines need to demonstrate their safety and efficacy. Additionally, multiple generics are often approved for the same single product. This creates competition in the market and usually drives prices down. Moreover, New-brand medicines are usually protected by patents, which prohibit other companies from selling generic versions of the same medicine. The duration of marketing exclusivity for branded drugs can also affect the timing of generic drug approvals. 

In the United States, generic drug approvals are increasing due to the implementation of the FDA's Drug Competition Action Plan, which aims to remove the barriers faced by generic drug manufacturers. To improve the development and approval process for generic drugs, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) reapproved the Generic License Fee Amendment in 2017, providing the FDA with additional resources for the review of generic drugs.

FDA regulations limit the expansion of the generic drug market

The FDA stringent approval and distribution process restricts the expansion of the generic drug industry, The FDA work on adverse event data, the safety and efficacy of drugs, and ingredients on generic medications If they fail to follow the requirement they are not ready to approve that generic drug and because of this, it hindered the growth 

Prevalence of various life-threatening diseases is providing the future opportunity in to drive the market 

In addition, the market is also catalyzed by an increasingly aging population in the United States. This increases the prevalence of various life-threatening diseases such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, hepatitis, HIV, and autoimmune diseases. For example, the American Cancer Society estimates new cancer cases and deaths in the United States in 2022, with an estimated 1.9 million new cancer cases diagnosed and 609,360 cancer deaths. It will continue to catalyze the generics market in the coming years.

Brand Insights

On the basis of brand pure generic drugs are pure generic drugs than branded generic, it required less amount of time in research and development and it required less clinical trials for its approvals as compared to branded generic.

US Generic Drug Market Share, By Type, 2022 (%)

The pure generic drugs segment accounted for more than 52.58% in 2023, it required more money for its research and development process and it required many animal and human trials for its approval, it required more amount of time for its approval from FDA.

Route of Administration Insights

For generic medicines and vaccines, according to current estimates, oral formulations make up around 90% of the global market for all pharmaceutical formulations designed for human consumption. Approximately 84 percent of the top-selling medications are drugs taken orally. The World Health Organization estimates that each year there are between 2 and 3 million instances of non-melanoma skin cancer and 132,000 cases of melanoma skin cancer. Due to the fact that topical drug administration is the primary method of therapy for the majority of skin conditions, the market for advanced topical products is projected to grow in the upcoming years.

Therapeutic Application Insights

The old age population increases and nowadays diseases impact of all age people because of workload and unhealthy lifestyles.  People are less active physically, so it impacts their physical and mental health hunting many diseases. They are suffering from cardiovascular diseases, Central nervous system (CNS) diseases, Dermatology diseases, and Oncology and Respiratory diseases, According to the American Heart Association Approximately 874,613 cardiac deaths in the United States in 2019. 

In addition to this nearly 15%, of middle-aged and older U.S. adults suffering from lung disorders like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. Moreover, the Cardiovascular of therapeutic application segment exhibited a major share in 2020, whereas, the oncology segment grow at the fastest rate during the foreseen future.

Distribution Channels Insights

Generic drugs are sold in hospitals, pharmacies, and online pharmacies. The retail pharmacy holds a leading position in the distribution channel segment as previously people preferred to buy their medicines from retail shops but nowadays online distribution is more trending as people preferred more online modes of shopping. The online pharmacy will grow fastest in the forecast period.

Recent Developments

  • In March 2021, Teva Pharmaceuticals launched a brinzolamide ophthalmic solution for the treatment of elevated intraocular pressure in patients with ocular hypertension or open-angle glaucoma in the United States.
  • In May 2022, Pfizer acquired Biohaven Pharmaceuticals, The Biohaven pharmaceuticals is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company with best-in-class therapies to improve the lives of patients with debilitating neurological and neuropsychiatric diseases.
  • In May 2022, Sun pharma industries received approval from the food and drug administration (USFDA) on Mesalamine extended released capsule for treating bowel disease in US market

US Generic Drugs Market Companies

  • Pfizer Inc
  • Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc
  • Aurobindo Pharma USA, Inc
  • Sun pharma Inc
  • Abbott Laboratories Inc
  • Lupin Pharmaceuticals, Inc
  • Mylan
  • Dr. Reddy’s
  • Novartis
  • Eli Lilly company 

Segments Covered in the Report

By Drug Type

  • Simple Generics
  • Super Generics

By Brand

  • Pure Generic Drugs
  • Branded Generic Drugs

By Route of Administration

  • Oral
  • Injection
  • Cutaneous
  • Others

By Therapeutic Application 

  • Central Nervous System (CNS)
  • Cardiovascular
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Musculoskeletal Diseases
  • Respiratory
  • Oncology
  • Others

By Distribution Channels

  • Retail Pharmacy
  • Hospital Pharmacy
  • Online and Others

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Frequently Asked Questions

The US generic drugs market size was accounted at USD 133.44 billion in 2023 and it is expected to reach around USD 189.77 billion by 2033.

The US generic drugs market is poised to grow at a CAGR of 3.5% from 2024 to 2033.

The major players operating in the US generic drugs market are Pfizer Inc, Teva pharmaceuticals USA, Inc, Aurobindo pharma USA, Inc, Sun pharma Inc, Abbott Laboratories Inc, Lupin pharmaceuticals, Inc, Mylan, Dr. Reddy’s, Novartis, Eli Lilly company and Others.

The driving factors of the US generic drugs market is the generic medicines tend to be less expensive than branded medicines.

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Meet the Team

Sanket Gokhale is one of the key authors contributing to the high-quality, actionable insights that define our market research reports. Sanket holds an MBA with a specialization in Healthcare Management, coupled with a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy. With over 5 years of experience in market research, Sanket has cultivated a deep understanding of the healthcare sector, from pharmaceutical innovations to healthcare

Learn more about Sanket Gokhale

With over 14 years of experience, Aditi is the powerhouse responsible for reviewing every piece of data and content that passes through our research pipeline. She is not just an expert—she’s the linchpin that ensures the accuracy, relevance, and clarity of the insights we deliver. Aditi’s broad expertise spans multiple sectors, with a keen focus on ICT, automotive, and various other cross-domain industries.

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