S2 T3 US Pharmaceutical Industry Analysis Using Porters Five Forces Model
S2 T3 US Pharmaceutical Industry Analysis Using Porters Five Forces Model
S2 T3 US Pharmaceutical Industry Analysis Using Porters Five Forces Model
Threat of Substitute
Products from
Other Industries
Weak (+) to
Moderate (+/–)
Rivalry among
Bargaining Power Bargaining Power
Existing
of Suppliers of Buyers
Competitive Sellers
Weak (+) Moderate (+/–)
Strong (–)
Threat of Potential
New Entrants into
the Market
Weak (+)
Rivalry among Existing Competitive Sellers (Strong Force)
The pharmaceutical industry is one of the most competitive industries in the world.
Most of the players in the industry have been here for a long time and are well
recognized globally. The profit margins are high, there are many small and large
sized players, and strict government regulations make it a very competitive industry.
There is no room for making errors. Another reason is the recent trend of mergers
and acquisitions where large industries have absorbed the smaller players. While a
drug is still in its patent period, there is only firm (or licensed firms) ae able to
produce that drug. Once the patent period expires, however, several established
players commence generic production of the drug. Technological advancements in
biotech and generics have further increased the competition as firms have no option
other than to adopt the new technologies. Thus, there is a constant pressure to
innovate. Some of the major competitors are Sanofi, Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline, Merck,
and AstraZeneca. Thus, the overall competitive rivalry in the US pharmaceutical
industry is a strong force.
Patents of new drugs last for twenty years, allowing the manufacturer to dictate the
prices for this time period. After which, generic production will begin and prices
become more competitive. Similarly, large customers such as hospitals do possess a
certain bargaining power but individual customers have very little to none. Another
factor is the brand name. That further reduces the bargaining power of the buyers.
Buyers today have access to the internet which allows them to further do research
on drugs in addition to the prescription of their doctors, giving them more bargaining
power. Thus, overall the bargaining power of the buyers or customers is a moderate
force.
The US pharmaceutical industry only requires the raw material for the drugs as the
drugs are manufactured in house. The second requirement is technology for the
manufacturing and production plants. The third element the suppliers provide is the
packaging material (Gaudi, 2013). All of these are supplies that a number of
suppliers are willing to provide. Thus, they are in no position to bargain or attempt to
influence the market prices. Some of the suppliers include BASF Corporation, Nexeo
Solutions, and Wako Chemicals (Pharmaceutical Resource Directory, 2017). Thus,
the suppliers in the pharmaceutical industry in the US have very weak bargaining
power.
Threat of Substitute Products from Other Industries (Weak
to Moderate Force)
The main threat is alternative medicines and treatments to these drugs. This is more
common in the eastern nations. These include yoga, meditation, and various other
therapies. Also, homeopathic and herbal treatments are a substitute for drugs made
by pharmaceutical industries. Promotion of a healthier lifestyle such as balanced
diet, exercise, and other physical activities are substitutes to many drugs. Thus, the
threat of substitutes is a weak to moderate competitive force.