TOP 10 BEST SELLING MEDICINE / DRUGS ACROSS THE GLOBE WITH PRICES IN 2017

              2017 is just upon us and the medical world is witnessing a global revolution in terms of the best selling drugs/medicines. There are some best sellers which have toppled competition and are on their way towards becoming hot favorites. These have toppled over several established drugs and are now making cash counters jingle worldwide. The medicine prices are mostly competitive since these are almost all   mass market drugs. The drug prices have not spiraled as much as one would believe. The latest 

drug database classifies these medicines as the top 10 best sellers last year and these are to be considered since 2017 has just begun.

Most of the top 10 selling drugs in the world are made by the largest pharmaceutical companies including Astra Zeneca and Roche among others. Here’s taking a look at the top 10 list:

10. Avastin– This drug has notched up sales in excess of $6 billion and is used for treating several kinds of cancer. Manufactured by the Switzerland headquartered Roche Group, this drug treats kidney, cervical, ovarian, colon, brain and lung cancer and is a hugely sold prescription medicine.

9. Rituxan/Mabthera– This drug is known as Rituxan in the United States. Mabthera is also manufactured by The Roche Group and treats non-Hodgkin lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. It is also effective for treating rheumatoid arthritis.

8. Nexium– This drug has sold in excess of $7.7 billion and treats acid reflux. Manufactured by the UK headquartered AstraZeneca, this is one of the highest selling prescription drugs across the globe.

7. Remicade– This treats bowel diseases, arthritis and psoriasis and is manufactured by the US headquartered Johnson & Johnson. More than 2 million people across the globe have made use of Remicade for treating ulcerative colitis, bowl ailments, psoriasis and more. Remicade is the best selling drug for pharma giant Johnson.                                

6. Crestor– This is another best selling product from AstraZeneca and has notched up close to $9 billion in sales. The medicine treats high cholesterol and is favored by innumerable people across the world. It is often called the blockbuster drug on account of its sheer popularity.

5. Enbrel– This is another wonder drug that treats psoriasis and arthritis and is manufactured by Amgen Inc which is headquartered in the United States. This is highly favored for treating rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. The drug is also licensed to Pfizer which sells it outside of the United States.

4. Abilify– This is another global bestseller that treats mental illnesses and is manufactured by the Japan headquartered Otsuka Group. This anti-psychotic drug treats patients who suffer from mental illnesses like bipolar disorder and schizophrenia in tandem with severe depression.

3. Sovaldi– This best selling drug treats Hepatitis C and is manufactured by the United States based Gilead Sciences. This is the most expensive drug in the US with prices touching $81, 000 for a 12 week treatment course. However, the drug is the top selling hepatitis C medicine and competes with Merck’s Zepatier.

2. Lantus– This billion dollar baby (in terms of sales figures) is manufactured by French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi and treats diabetes. It is one of the highest selling diabetes medicines in the world.

1. Humira- The global topper in terms of sales figures, this treats bowel ailments, psoriasis and arthritis and is made by the United States based AbbVie. Arthritis and all other joint diseases affect in excess of 53 million individuals in the United States alone not to mention countless people across the world. Humira has sold close to $12 billion annually and should be on track to cover $18 billion by the year 2020 as per estimates.