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Generic medicines made up 49 per cent of the UK market in volume and 21 per cent in value in 2009, according to the latest pharmaceutical industry competitiveness and performance indicators released by the Department of Health (DH).

The figures have changed little since the previous indicators published for 2005. In that year, only the US had higher volume and value figures for generic medicines of all comparator countries. The US was not included for generic medicines in 2009.

The latest indicators show that overall the pharma industry's contribution to the UK economy had a positive trade balance of £6bn. It also showed expenditure on medicines in the UK is low compared with comparator countries, especially on the newest medicines - ninth out of 14 countries - at a little over £200 per head.

The UK came third behind the US and Japan in its share of the total R&D spend on drugs. UK-based pharma remains among the most innovative with 16 of the world's top selling 75 medicines discovered and developed - more than any other country except for the US.

The report states that if the UK is to maintain its current position, the government and industry have to continue to work together to improve R&D environment in this country and in Europe to make them attractive locations for investment compared to emerging markets like India.

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