48 GEOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
Supplemental new drug applications (sNDAs) were submitted to the FDA for use
> espite a continual y chal enging environment,
of Seroquel XR in adult patients for major
including generic pressure, combined sales of
Despite full generic competition to Toprol-XL
depressive disorder (MDD) and generalised
Arimidex, Crestor, Nexium, Seroquel and Symbicort
up 5% in the US – 65% of our total US sales.
and the growth in generic omeprazole, sales
anxiety disorder (GAD). In December 2008,
in the US increased 1% in 2008 to $13,510
> aintained market position as the second largest
brand name pharmaceutical company in Canada.
mil ion (2007: $13,366 mil ion). Combined sales from the FDA related to the MDD submission,
of Arimidex, Crestor, Nexium, Seroquel,
and Symbicort were up 5% to $8,803 million
> trong brand performance in Western Europe but
(2007: $8,414 mil ion) – 65% of our total
the FDA for use of Seroquel for treatment
intense competition and governmental controls
US sales. AstraZeneca is currently the third
of schizophrenia in 13 to 17 year olds and
largest pharmaceutical company in the US,
for treatment of acute manic episodes of
bipolar I disorder for 10 to 17 year olds.
Crestor, Losec and Seroquel in Japan.
The US Prescribing Information for Seroquel
> merging Rest of World delivers strong sales
Oncology and Astra Tech fell by 2% and rose
and Seroquel XR is being updated to include
growth, up 16% with Emerging Europe sales
up 10% and Emerging Asia sales up 10%.
by 33% to $395 million (2007: $402 million)
new safety information regarding use in children
and $80 million (2007: $60 million), respectively.
and adolescents. Seroquel and Seroquel XR
> ontinued expansion in China, including
are not approved currently for use in paediatric
> U Commission of a Sectoral Inquiry into the
Nexium continues to lead the branded
pharmaceutical industry continues, with a final
proton pump inhibitor (PPI) market for new
prescriptions, total prescriptions and total
Crestor sales were up 18% to $1,678 million
capsules dispensed. Generic pantoprazole
(2007: $1,424 mil ion) with a total prescription
For more information regarding our products
showed strong growth after being introduced
growth of 10.8%, and was the only branded
please refer to the relevant sections of the
statin to grow in total prescriptions throughout
Therapy Area Review from page 53. Details
of relevant continuing litigation can be found
growth, resulting in price and share erosion
in Note 25 to the Financial Statements (from
across the entire branded PPI market. In the
atherosclerosis in adult patients with elevated
page 144) and details of relevant risks are set
face of generic pressure, Nexium continued
cholesterol, an important differentiator from
out in the Principal Risks and Uncertainties
to fare better than its branded competitors
other products in the cholesterol-lowering
with sales in 2008 down 8% to $3,101 mil ion market, was successfully introduced and (2007: $3,383 million). During the year, the US awareness amongst physicians is high.
For the AstraZeneca definition of markets
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Under the terms of an agreement executed
please see the Glossary on page 199.
the use of Nexium in children ages one to 11
years old for the short-term treatment of
non-exclusive right to promote Crestor
alongside AstraZeneca in the US (excluding Puerto Rico) increasing Crestor’s profile
Seroquel maintained its strong position as
and share of voice. New data presented in
psychotic on the market, with sales up 5%
demonstrated that Crestor 20mg significantly
to $3,015 million (2007: $2,863 million).
reduced major cardiovascular (CV) events –
Seroquel posted total prescription growth
defined by the study as the combined risk
of myocardial infarction, stroke, arterial
prescriptions, outpacing the rate of market
revascularisation, hospitalisation for unstable
growth for anti-psychotics by almost two
angina, or death from CV causes – by 44%
points, leading the market in absolute total
prescription growth. During the year, the FDA
women with elevated hsCRP (high-sensitivity
approved Seroquel for the maintenance of
bipolar disorder as adjunct therapy to lithium
cholesterol levels. hsCRP is a recognised
marker of inflammation that is associated
Seroquel XR for the depressive episodes of
with an increased risk of atherosclerotic CV
bipolar disorder, the manic or mixed episodes events. The JUPITER results also showed associated with bipolar I disorder (as either
that for patients in the trial taking Crestor,
monotherapy or adjunct therapy to lithium or
the combined risk of heart attack, stroke or CV
divalproex), and for maintenance treatment of death was reduced by nearly half. We expect bipolar disorder as adjunct therapy to lithium
to file a regulatory submission with the FDA
that includes the JUPITER data in the first half of 2009 and, if approved, wil begin promotional activities within the approved labelling.
ASTRAZENECA ANNuAl REpoRT ANd FoRm 20-F INFoRmATIoN 2008
DIRECtORs’ REPORt
In another agreement with Abbott, we are
Pulmicort Respules, the only inhaled
Synagis is the only FDA-approved monoclonal
investigating the fixed dose combination of
corticosteroid for the treatment of asthma
antibody (MAb) to help protect high-risk babies
the active ingredients in Crestor (rosuvastatin
approved in the US for children as young
against severe Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
calcium) and Trilipix™ (fenofibric acid) for the
disease. In its first full year in AstraZeneca,
treatment of mixed dyslipidaemia. A Phase III
trial in 2008 demonstrated that a combination (2007: $964 million). On 23 September 2008, of rosuvastatin calcium and fenofibric acid
the US District Court for the District of
In 2008, distribution agreements continued
delivers greater improvements in treating all
New Jersey denied a motion filed by Teva
with Par Pharmaceutical for all available
three key lipids (LDL, HDL and triglycerides)
Pharmaceuticals Ltd. for summary judgment
strengths of generic metoprolol succinate.
of no infringement in the Pulmicort Respules
patent litigation. On 19 November 2008, the
distribution of authorised generics of both
af ects more than 100 mil ion US residents
same court awarded a temporary restraining
and has been shown to play a pivotal role
order against Teva Pharmaceuticals after
in the development of atherosclerosis and
Teva launched its generic product ‘at risk’ on
Currently, there is no direct government control
consequently, cardiovascular disease. Patients
of prices for commercial prescription drug sales
with mixed dyslipidaemia are expected to
the parties settled the matter and AstraZeneca in the US. However, some publicly funded
granted Teva a licence to launch its generic
programmes – such as Medicaid and TRICARE
dyslipidaemic population. Abbott obtained
(Department of Veterans Affairs) – have
approval of Trilipix™ in December 2008 as
statutorily mandated rebates that have the
the first and only fibrate label ed for use with
In its first full year after launch in June 2007,
effect of price controls for these programmes.
Symbicort Rapihaler (pMDI) continued to
Additionally, pressure on pricing, availability
deliver steady growth with sales up 410% to
and utilisation of prescription drugs for both
To maximise the value of MerremIV during
$255 million (2007: $50 million). Widespread
physician experience and growing appreciation to increase, driven by, among other things,
Cubist, who will provide promotional and
of the dif erentiating feature of control plus
an increased focus on generic alternatives.
scientific affairs support for MerremIV in the
fast onset has led to the product surpassing
Primary drivers of increased generic use are
a 10% new prescription share of the inhaled
budgetary policies within healthcare systems
corticosteroid/long acting beta agonist market. and providers, including the use of “generics
Arimidex continued to perform well with sales
Symbicort is now prescribed to one in five of
only” formularies, and increases in patient
up 9% to $754 mil ion (2007: $694 mil ion)
all patients that are new to combination therapy.
co-insurance or co-payments. While it is
for the full year. Arimidex continues to be
the market leader in new prescriptions for
In 2008, two sNDAs were submitted to the
adoption of a broad national price control
FDA: one for the use of Symbicort in chronic
scheme in the near term, there will continue
obstructive pulmonary disease and another
to be increased attention to pharmaceutical
for its use in paediatric asthma for ages six to
prices and their impact on healthcare costs
In September 2008, an additional six-month
12. In October 2008, the pMDI device was
period of exclusivity was granted to market
Casodex for its licensed advanced prostate cancer indication until 1 April 2009.
ASTRAZENECA ANNuAl REpoRT ANd FoRm 20-F INFoRmATIoN 2008
In the current political climate, policymakers
Additional y, AstraZeneca has been providing
are likely to consider healthcare reform
patient assistance to the uninsured for 30
market. For patients to gain optimal access
a top priority. The reauthorisation of the
years and, in the last six years, has provided
to medicines, they then need to be listed on
State Childrens’ Health Insurance Program
more than $3 bil ion in savings to more than
provincial formularies. This long process means
(SCHIP), a joint federal-state programme
one mil ion patients in the US and Puerto
patients in Canada can typically wait over
to expand healthcare coverage (including
two years following the regulatory approval
prescription drug coverage) for qualifying
than $612 million in savings to approximately
children, is poised to be one of the first
(approximately 2.7 million prescriptions).
The dif erent provinces have adopted dif erent
the 111th Congress. A sustained focus on
approaches to pharmaceutical funding, from
containing prescription drug costs is also
likely, which could include proposals to al ow
Despite the entry of the generic forms of
more open access to more restricted access,
the government to negotiate Medicare Part D
SeroquelIR, sales in Canada increased by
therapeutic substitution and price tendering
prices directly with the pharmaceutical industry, 8% (+11% reported) to $1,275 million
on the horizon in British Colombia. The trend
increase manufacturers’ Medicaid drug rebate (2007: $1,145 million). Combined sales of
in Canada indicates provinces will increase
Crestor, Nexium, Seroquel and Atacand
their access restrictions and drive prices down
while the complex reimbursement system will
for patients who qualify for both Medicaid
$713 million) with Crestor, Seroquel and
continue to result in access delays.
and Medicare (so-called ‘dual eligibles’).
Nexium among the top 20 prescription
Additional y, there could be ef orts to pass
legislation implementing comparative effectiveness research requirements and/or
Sales in the rest of the world performed
pharmaceutical company in Canada. Crestor
importation of drugs into the US from selected
maintained its number two ranking in the statin to $16,816 million (2007: $15,048 million).
countries by certain individual consumers,
market and was the fastest-growing product
Key products (Arimidex, Crestor, Nexium,
pharmacies and drug wholesalers. Finally,
in both new and total prescription segments
Seroquel and Symbicort) delivered a strong
performance, up 14% (+20% reported) with
Crestor is also the third largest product in
sales of $7,413 million (2007: $6,189 million).
(eg for speaker contracts) are also being
Canada by sales. Together, Seroquel XR
Latin America, the Middle East and Africa
considered at the state and federal levels.
and Seroquel IR remain the leaders in new
and Asia Pacific regions delivered particularly
and total prescriptions within the atypical
strong sales, up 13% (+19% reported) with
In its third year of operation, the Medicare
anti-psychotics market. Atacand continues
sales of $5,858 million (2007: $4,906 million).
to outperform the anti-hypertensive market,
maintained high levels of enrollment and
with total prescription growth of over 15.0%
beneficiary satisfaction, achieved prescription
compared with market growth of only 7.4%.
Sales in our Established Rest of World Markets
volume growth similar to other mature markets Several key regulatory approvals were
increased by 2% (+9% reported), with good
and provided access to our medicines for
growth from Crestor, Seroquel and Symbicort
a large segment of the patient population.
the first country in which we gained regulatory and our oncology products, together with
Through the AZ&Me Prescription Savings
approval for Seroquel XR for the treatment
Synagis, offsetting declines in sales of our
Programme for Patients with Medicare Part
of bipolar mania, with Seroquel XR and
proton pump inhibitors in Western Europe.
D, AstraZeneca provides prescription access
Seroquel IR also approved for the treatment of
to financially needy Medicare D beneficiaries.
bipolar depression (approvals were received
Although difficult to quantify, Medicare Part D
eight months and five months respectively
has had an indirect effect on pricing in the
with overall growth of 1% (+7% reported).
timelines). In addition, a new tablet strength
This reflected decreasing sales in France
chal enges, overal access in key accounts
for Atacand (32mg) was approved by
was maintained or improved in 2008. It is
difficult to predict fully the longer-term effects
reported) and Spain (down 8%, -1% reported),
Organisational efficiencies were gained with the partly offset by strong growth in the UK closure of the Canadian packaging plant and
(up 8%, +2% reported). Sales in established
We continue to support My Medicare Matters, transfer of product packaging to the Newark,
European markets were mainly impacted by
a community based outreach and education
Delaware facility, and further efficiencies were
the loss of patent/marketing exclusivity on
programme, in partnership with the National
Casodex, by government initiatives to contain
Council on Aging. Funding from AstraZeneca
North American technology platforms.
drug expenditures and by the loss of sales
due to an ageing portfolio of mature brands.
These impacts were partly offset by continued
organisations serving people with Medicare.
a Health Technology Assessment appraisal
strong performance of key products (mainly
During 2007 and 2008, we supported a pilot
Crestor and Seroquel).
process which rejects almost six out of 10
approaches to finding and enrolling eligible
Prices Review Board has the role of setting
Subsidy (LIS) programme. Over 40,000 LIS applications were submitted as a result of these demonstration projects.
ASTRAZENECA ANNuAl REpoRT ANd FoRm 20-F INFoRmATIoN 2008
DIRECtORs’ REPORt Synagis sales outside the US are undertaken
through a subsidiary of Abbott Laboratories
agreements; interventions before national
with revenue of $307 million ($169 million in
2007). We estimate that about 36% of sales
Overall our sales in France were down 1%
arise in Western Europe, about 32% in Japan A final report is expected in Spring 2009.
and over 7% in Canada. Strong growth has
$1,794 million). The strong performance of
been recorded in Latin America in 2008.
with the Commission and participating in
Crestor and Nexium, which gained significant
market share from competitors, was offset by Most governments in Europe directly intervene Industries and Associations activities. the loss of patent/marketing exclusivity expiry
to control the price and reimbursement of
prescribers in Europe has been eroded in
In Japan, we were the fifth fastest-growing
favour of a diverse range of payers. While the
company amongst the top 15 pharmaceutical
systems to control pharmaceutical spending
companies, maintaining our market ranking
$1,233 million), mainly due to the Casodex
vary, they all have had a noticeable negative
patent/marketing exclusivity expiry and the
impact on the uptake and availability of
growth from key products of set the biennial
government restriction on access to Nexium
innovative medicines. Several governments
government review of downward drug prices
leading to a reduction in sales of 34% over
have imposed price reductions and increased to deliver sales up 4% (+18% reported)
last year. Seroquel continued to grow wel with the use of generic medicines as part of
to $1,957 million (2007: $1,661 million).
27% growth (+38% reported) reaching 29.5% healthcare expenditure control. Several
The key drivers of growth being the continued
of the market for atypical anti-psychotics.
countries are applying strict tests of cost-
success of Crestor (+93%, +118% reported),
effectiveness of medicines, which has reduced the continued growth of Losec (+5%, +18%
In the UK, sales were up 8% (+2% reported)
access of European patients to medicines in
reported) and the increased penetration of
to $1,020 million (2007: $1,004 million) driven areas of high unmet need. These and other
Seroquel (+10%, +24% reported).
by Symbicort (+34%, +25% reported),
measures al contribute to an increasingly tough
Seroquel (+32%, +22% reported), and
In Japan, there is formal central government
Arimidex (+8%, +1% reported). Many of
in Europe. However, the anticipated radical
control of prices by the Ministry of Health,
our other brands also performed wel with
Merrem (+13%, +6% reported) being of
towards direct government control of prices
particular note. Competition remained intense
was abandoned. Parallel trading of branded
remained largely stable in the last few years.
but our key brands gained market share in
pharmaceuticals continues to challenge the
As expected, pharmaceuticals were subject
their respective segments. Especial y strong
European pharmaceutical market; a report
to price reductions in April 2008. The long-term
were Seroquel and Symbicort achieving gains
objective of the Japanese government is to
of 2.4 and 1.3 percentage points respectively. acknowledged this and also highlighted
raise generic volume share from 18.7% in
the negative impact of paral el trading on
2007 to 30% by 2012; recent reforms have
industry have entered into ‘terms of reference’ patient safety.
supported this goal by making substitution of
discussions concerning potential changes
a generic product for a branded product easier.
to the pricing and reimbursement scheme.
In January 2008 AstraZeneca, together with
The impact of these changes is likely to be
several other companies, was the subject
of an unannounced inspection simultaneous
Asian data as part of the regulatory approval
In Italy, Crestor performed strongly increasing its (Commission) of a Sectoral Inquiry (Inquiry)
sales by 12% (+22% reported). The specialty
into the pharmaceutical industry. The Inquiry
increasing budgetary pressures associated
care brands also showed good growth with
relates to the introduction of innovative and
Seroquel increasing sales by 19% (+28%
generic medicines and covers commercial and publicly recognised the importance of the
reported) with 32.9% of the market for atypical other practices, including the use of patents.
pharmaceutical industry and their own drive
anti-psychotics and Arimidex increasing sales On 28 November 2008 the Commission
to reward innovation better in the future.
by 12% (+21% reported) with 32.0% of the
published its preliminary report. The report does
market for aromatase inhibitors and tamoxifen. not identify wrongdoing by any individual
However, overall sales declined by 6% (+2%
companies but is stated to provide a factual
In Australia and New Zealand, we delivered
reported) to $1,323 mil ion (2007: $1,294
basis for further consideration. The Commission a strong sales performance with sales up
million) as a result of reference pricing at the
has stated that it will commence individual
regional level on PPIs and measures to control
investigations where there are indications
(2007: $715 million). Both our primary care
their prescribing by physicians, combined with
that competition rules have been breached.
and specialist care portfolios continued
Casodex patent/marketing exclusivity expiry.
The preliminary report focuses on a number
to grow, driven mainly by sales growth for
of issues relating to competition in the EU,
Crestor, Atacand and Nexium in primary care
In Spain, sales were down 8% (-1% reported) referring to strategies which the Commission
and by Seroquel and Arimidex in specialist
to $863 million (2007: $868 million) due to
believes pharmaceutical companies use to
care. On a CER basis, these five brands,
Symbicort (-7%, +1% reported) and generic
block or delay generic entry. Such strategies
Arimidex, Crestor, Seroquel, Atacand and
competition for Casodex and Arimidex.
include: patent filings and enforcement;
Nexium, grew by 33% (+37% reported).
ASTRAZENECA ANNuAl REpoRT ANd FoRm 20-F INFoRmATIoN 2008
In the rest of the Emerging Asia Pacific region,
overall sales were up 10% (+7% reported) to
$802 mil ion (2007: $749 mil ion) by achieving
$3,557 million), accounting for nearly 63%
strong growth in India, Indonesia, Singapore,
of total sales growth outside the US. Sales in
Thailand and Vietnam, where market dynamics
reported) to $1,215 mil ion (2007: $1,028 million). Sales in China increased 31% (+43%
reported) to $627 mil ion (2007: $437 mil ion)
and sales in Emerging Asia Pacific increased
10% (+7% reported) to $802 million (2007:
$1,159 million (2007: $947 million), mainly
driven by Mexico, Brazil, Venezuela, Central America and the Caribbean. As a result, our
As the pharmaceutical markets in Asia Pacific, market share grew to 3% in the prescription Latin America and elsewhere develop, reforms market, improving our position from tenth to in pricing and reimbursement will inevitably
eighth in the prescription market ranking.
follow. As these markets become more important to our business, we have to consider This reflects the investment made to develop carefully such factors when we develop
our key products in fast-growing markets.
brands. In many of the major markets, such
Atacand, Crestor, Nexium, Seroquel and
as China, Brazil and Mexico, the patient pays
Symbicort all showed strong performance
directly for prescription medicines, and this
with overal sales up 33% (+38% reported) to
will be an increasingly important issue for our
$516 million (2007: $372 million). Nexium is
business. Other growing markets, such as
our best sel ing prescription product in Latin
direct government intervention in pricing and
reported) to $185 mil ion (2007: $144 mil ion)
reimbursement, more in line with the systems
and the fifth best sel ing prescription product
in the Latin American market. Crestor is now our second best sel ing prescription product
with overal sales up 46% (+52% reported)
Russia continued to enjoy strong sales growth
to $128 million (2007: $84 million) and is the
driven by Symbicort, Merrem and Crestor in
eleventh best selling prescription product in
particularly well, almost doubling its size, primarily driven by Seroquel, Nexium and
Our top three largest markets in the region are
Crestor. Our continued expansion included
now Brazil, Mexico and Venezuela. Brazil sales
were up 21% (+33% reported) to $440 mil ion
(2007: $330 million), Mexico sales were up 6% (+6% reported) to $353 million (2007:
$334 million) and Venezuela sales were up
In China, in line with our growth and expansion 37% (+37% reported) to $142 million (2007: strategy of the past four years, we have
continued to build our presence and sales (including Hong Kong) were up 31% (+43%
reported) to $627 million (2007: $437 million).
In 2008, the region again delivered a very
We are the largest multinational pharmaceutical strong double-digit growth, driven mainly by company in the prescription market in China,
Atacand, Crestor, Seroquel and Symbicort,
as surveyed by the Hong Kong Association
with particularly good performances in Gulf
of the Pharmaceutical Industry, with a growth
rate for prescription sales of 28.8% (+40.2%
reported). Our investment in China increased
a new marketing company in Israel as part
with further growth in the number of sales
of our investment plan in the region.
representatives, and continued to support our innovation discovery research centre in Shanghai and our several external collaborations, including a new clinical pharmacology unit in Peking University and a translational science laboratory in Guangdong Province People’s Hospital.
ASTRAZENECA ANNuAl REpoRT ANd FoRm 20-F INFoRmATIoN 2008
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