GITNUXREPORT 2025

Pharmacy Industry Statistics

Pharmacy industry worth over $1.2 trillion, digital and specialty growth accelerating.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Approximately 70% of Americans regularly take prescription medications

Statistic 2

The average number of prescriptions filled per person annually in the US is around 12

Statistic 3

The average age of patients using pharmacy services is increasing, with over 20% of prescriptions issued to patients aged 65 and above

Statistic 4

The median annual salary for pharmacists in the US exceeds $128,000

Statistic 5

The number of licensed pharmacists in the US is approximately 350,000

Statistic 6

The percentage of pharmacy students in the US enrolling in postgraduate residency programs is around 50%

Statistic 7

The percentage of pharmacists working in hospital settings is approximately 22%

Statistic 8

The average turnover rate for pharmacy technicians in the US is around 15%

Statistic 9

The number of international pharmacy students in the US has increased by 25% over the past decade

Statistic 10

The average age of pharmacists in the US is 44 years old, indicating an aging workforce

Statistic 11

The total number of pharmacy technicians in the US exceeded 450,000 in 2022

Statistic 12

The number of pharmacy schools worldwide is over 1500, with increasing enrollment rates

Statistic 13

The average number of patients served per pharmacist in the US is approximately 3000

Statistic 14

The USA has more than 66,000 community pharmacies

Statistic 15

Retail pharmacies account for roughly 85% of all prescription drug dispensing in the US

Statistic 16

The number of pharmacy installations in Europe exceeds 150,000

Statistic 17

The average profit margin for independent pharmacies in the US is around 2.5%

Statistic 18

Only about 10% of pharmacy prescriptions are filled by automated dispensing systems

Statistic 19

The number of pharmacy chains operating in the US exceeds 400, including Walgreens, CVS, and Rite Aid

Statistic 20

Digital health solutions are increasingly integrated into pharmacy services, with 60% of pharmacies offering digital medication management tools

Statistic 21

The pharmaceutical industry employment worldwide reached over 4 million jobs in 2020

Statistic 22

About 85% of pharmacy professionals believe telepharmacy improves access in rural areas

Statistic 23

More than 80% of pharmacy visits are now initiated through electronic health records

Statistic 24

The worldwide supply chain disruptions have caused pharmaceutical shortages in over 50 countries in 2022

Statistic 25

Hub and spoke pharmacy models are used in over 60% of large pharmacy chains to optimize distribution

Statistic 26

The global pharmacy market was valued at approximately $1.27 trillion in 2021

Statistic 27

The U.S. pharmacy industry is projected to reach $1.4 trillion by 2025

Statistic 28

Online pharmacy market size was valued at $68 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 14.6% through 2027

Statistic 29

The pharmaceutical industry invests about 15% of its revenue into R&D each year

Statistic 30

The global generic drug market is projected to reach $480 billion by 2024

Statistic 31

Specialty drugs account for over 50% of total prescription drug spending in the US

Statistic 32

The average pharmacy filling cost per prescription is approximately $9,804 annually

Statistic 33

The global bio/pharmaceutical market is expected to reach $1.7 trillion in 2024

Statistic 34

India is the world's largest producer of generic medicines, responsible for over 20% of the world's supply

Statistic 35

About 40% of community pharmacies in the US offer immunization services

Statistic 36

The growth of compounding pharmacies worldwide is estimated at 6% annually

Statistic 37

The Asia-Pacific region is expected to dominate the pharmaceutical market through 2025, accounting for over 50% of global sales

Statistic 38

The global OTC (Over-The-Counter) drug market size was valued at $132 billion in 2020, with a projected CAGR of 4% through 2027

Statistic 39

The global pharmaceutical serialization market is projected to reach $6.5 billion by 2025

Statistic 40

The development of biosimilar drugs is increasing at a CAGR of approximately 28%, driven by patent expirations

Statistic 41

Telepharmacy has expanded by over 150% in the US between 2010 and 2020

Statistic 42

The total number of immunizations administered in US pharmacies exceeded 200 million in 2022

Statistic 43

The number of articles published on pharmacy digital innovations increased by 35% from 2019 to 2022

Statistic 44

The annual cost savings from pharmacy automation systems in the US is estimated at over $1 billion

Statistic 45

The pharmacy automation market is projected to reach $5.3 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 8.4%

Statistic 46

The use of artificial intelligence in pharmacy operations is expected to grow at a CAGR of 42% from 2021 to 2028

Statistic 47

The number of new drug approvals by the FDA was 50 in 2022, a decrease from 53 in 2021

Statistic 48

The global controlled substance market is valued at around $39 billion and is projected to grow at 7% annually

Statistic 49

The pharmaceutical industry's global revenue growth rate was approximately 4% in 2022

Statistic 50

The sales of pharmacy benefit management (PBM) services are expected to reach $540 billion by 2025

Statistic 51

The global market for drug delivery devices is projected to reach $71 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 6.5%

Statistic 52

The demand for personalized medicine is expected to increase by over 15% annually through 2030

Statistic 53

The adoption rate of electronic prescribing systems in the US is over 95%

Statistic 54

The total global expenditure on pharmaceuticals was approximately $1.5 trillion in 2021

Statistic 55

The number of pharmacy-related patents filed increased by 12% from 2019 to 2022

Statistic 56

The global herbal and dietary supplement market size is projected to reach $196 billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 8%

Statistic 57

Over 30% of pharmacies in the US now use automated dispensing cabinets

Statistic 58

The market share of large multinational pharmaceutical companies is around 70%, with the remaining 30% held by smaller firms and generics

Statistic 59

The prevalence of medication non-adherence among chronic disease patients is approximately 50%, leading to increased healthcare costs

Statistic 60

Pharmacovigilance market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 13% through 2027, reaching $5 billion

Statistic 61

The global market for injectable drugs is projected to reach $842 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 8%

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Key Highlights

The global pharmacy market was valued at approximately $1.27 trillion in 2021
The U.S. pharmacy industry is projected to reach $1.4 trillion by 2025
Approximately 70% of Americans regularly take prescription medications
The average number of prescriptions filled per person annually in the US is around 12
The USA has more than 66,000 community pharmacies
Retail pharmacies account for roughly 85% of all prescription drug dispensing in the US
Online pharmacy market size was valued at $68 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 14.6% through 2027
The pharmaceutical industry invests about 15% of its revenue into R&D each year
The number of licensed pharmacists in the US is approximately 350,000
The global generic drug market is projected to reach $480 billion by 2024
Specialty drugs account for over 50% of total prescription drug spending in the US
The average pharmacy filling cost per prescription is approximately $9,804 annually
The number of pharmacy installations in Europe exceeds 150,000

With the pharmacy industry soaring into a $1.27 trillion global market and rapidly transforming through digital innovations, personalized medicine, and expanding access, it’s clear that this vital sector is on the cusp of a new era of growth and innovation.

Consumer Demographics and Usage Patterns

Approximately 70% of Americans regularly take prescription medications
The average number of prescriptions filled per person annually in the US is around 12
The average age of patients using pharmacy services is increasing, with over 20% of prescriptions issued to patients aged 65 and above
The median annual salary for pharmacists in the US exceeds $128,000

Consumer Demographics and Usage Patterns Interpretation

With nearly three-quarters of Americans relying on prescriptions and an aging population fueling demand, pharmacists, earning over $128,000, are increasingly becoming the keystones of both healthcare and economic stability in the U.S.

Educational and Workforce Development

The number of licensed pharmacists in the US is approximately 350,000
The percentage of pharmacy students in the US enrolling in postgraduate residency programs is around 50%
The percentage of pharmacists working in hospital settings is approximately 22%
The average turnover rate for pharmacy technicians in the US is around 15%
The number of international pharmacy students in the US has increased by 25% over the past decade
The average age of pharmacists in the US is 44 years old, indicating an aging workforce
The total number of pharmacy technicians in the US exceeded 450,000 in 2022
The number of pharmacy schools worldwide is over 1500, with increasing enrollment rates
The average number of patients served per pharmacist in the US is approximately 3000

Educational and Workforce Development Interpretation

As the US pharmacy workforce ages gracefully at an average of 44 years and majors in postgraduate training soar past 50%, the industry grapples with a burgeoning talent pool, rising international influence, and an ever-expanding patient load—highlighting both a mature legacy and a pivotal crossroads for the future of healthcare delivery.

Industry Infrastructure and Sales Channels

The USA has more than 66,000 community pharmacies
Retail pharmacies account for roughly 85% of all prescription drug dispensing in the US
The number of pharmacy installations in Europe exceeds 150,000
The average profit margin for independent pharmacies in the US is around 2.5%
Only about 10% of pharmacy prescriptions are filled by automated dispensing systems
The number of pharmacy chains operating in the US exceeds 400, including Walgreens, CVS, and Rite Aid
Digital health solutions are increasingly integrated into pharmacy services, with 60% of pharmacies offering digital medication management tools
The pharmaceutical industry employment worldwide reached over 4 million jobs in 2020
About 85% of pharmacy professionals believe telepharmacy improves access in rural areas
More than 80% of pharmacy visits are now initiated through electronic health records
The worldwide supply chain disruptions have caused pharmaceutical shortages in over 50 countries in 2022
Hub and spoke pharmacy models are used in over 60% of large pharmacy chains to optimize distribution

Industry Infrastructure and Sales Channels Interpretation

Despite operating with razor-thin profit margins and limited automation, the pharmacy industry—boasting over 66,000 US community outlets and a global workforce exceeding 4 million—continues to evolve through digital innovations and expansive networks that aim to improve access and efficiency amid worldwide supply chain shocks.

Market Size and Projections

The global pharmacy market was valued at approximately $1.27 trillion in 2021
The U.S. pharmacy industry is projected to reach $1.4 trillion by 2025
Online pharmacy market size was valued at $68 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 14.6% through 2027
The pharmaceutical industry invests about 15% of its revenue into R&D each year
The global generic drug market is projected to reach $480 billion by 2024
Specialty drugs account for over 50% of total prescription drug spending in the US
The average pharmacy filling cost per prescription is approximately $9,804 annually
The global bio/pharmaceutical market is expected to reach $1.7 trillion in 2024
India is the world's largest producer of generic medicines, responsible for over 20% of the world's supply
About 40% of community pharmacies in the US offer immunization services
The growth of compounding pharmacies worldwide is estimated at 6% annually
The Asia-Pacific region is expected to dominate the pharmaceutical market through 2025, accounting for over 50% of global sales
The global OTC (Over-The-Counter) drug market size was valued at $132 billion in 2020, with a projected CAGR of 4% through 2027
The global pharmaceutical serialization market is projected to reach $6.5 billion by 2025
The development of biosimilar drugs is increasing at a CAGR of approximately 28%, driven by patent expirations
Telepharmacy has expanded by over 150% in the US between 2010 and 2020
The total number of immunizations administered in US pharmacies exceeded 200 million in 2022
The number of articles published on pharmacy digital innovations increased by 35% from 2019 to 2022
The annual cost savings from pharmacy automation systems in the US is estimated at over $1 billion
The pharmacy automation market is projected to reach $5.3 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 8.4%
The use of artificial intelligence in pharmacy operations is expected to grow at a CAGR of 42% from 2021 to 2028
The number of new drug approvals by the FDA was 50 in 2022, a decrease from 53 in 2021
The global controlled substance market is valued at around $39 billion and is projected to grow at 7% annually
The pharmaceutical industry's global revenue growth rate was approximately 4% in 2022
The sales of pharmacy benefit management (PBM) services are expected to reach $540 billion by 2025
The global market for drug delivery devices is projected to reach $71 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 6.5%
The demand for personalized medicine is expected to increase by over 15% annually through 2030
The adoption rate of electronic prescribing systems in the US is over 95%
The total global expenditure on pharmaceuticals was approximately $1.5 trillion in 2021
The number of pharmacy-related patents filed increased by 12% from 2019 to 2022
The global herbal and dietary supplement market size is projected to reach $196 billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 8%
Over 30% of pharmacies in the US now use automated dispensing cabinets
The market share of large multinational pharmaceutical companies is around 70%, with the remaining 30% held by smaller firms and generics
The prevalence of medication non-adherence among chronic disease patients is approximately 50%, leading to increased healthcare costs
Pharmacovigilance market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 13% through 2027, reaching $5 billion
The global market for injectable drugs is projected to reach $842 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 8%

Market Size and Projections Interpretation

As the pharmacy industry boldly invests in R&D and embraces digital innovations amidst a trillion-dollar global market, it’s clear that while pharmaceuticals continue to expand and evolve—especially across Asia-Pacific and specialty drugs—addressing patient adherence and optimizing cost efficiency remain crucial for sustaining its impressive growth trajectory.