Sector profile of the pharmaceutical industry

This sector profile covers pharmaceutical end products only. These can be divided into three categories: Prescription drugs, based on chemical compounds and prescribed or administered by healthcare professionals. Over the counter (OTC) drugs, based on chemical compounds and freely sold. Vaccines, based on bacteria and viruses. The distinction between branded and generic products is also important. A branded product is the original version, produced by the innovative company that developed the product. A generic product is a copy of the original by another company. Many innovative companies have divisions that produce generics as well.