Category: Pharmaceutical industry

With an average cost often exceeding $1 billion, the path to bringing a new medicine to market is long and complex. Understanding **what are the 4 steps of drug development** provides critical insight into the rigorous, multi-stage process that ensures new therapies are both safe and effective before they can reach patients.

In the first half of 2025, the combined sales of tirzepatide, marketed as Mounjaro and Zepbound, reached over $14.7 billion, solidifying its position as the clear answer to the question, **what is the flagship drug of Eli Lilly?**. The dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist has transformed the treatment landscape for both Type 2 diabetes and obesity.

In 2024, Merck's cancer immunotherapy Keytruda solidified its position as the world's best-selling medication, generating global sales of nearly $29.5 billion. This monumental figure offers a clear answer to the question of what is the highest selling drug in the market, illustrating a significant shift in pharmaceutical leadership driven by advancements in oncology and explosive growth in metabolic therapies.

In 2023, Americans spent nearly $38.6 billion on the diabetes and weight-loss drug semaglutide, making it the top-selling medication by consumer spending. The answer to what is America's best selling drug, however, depends on whether you measure by revenue, prescription volume, or a specific time frame, reflecting a dynamic and competitive market.

Over its 175-year history, Pfizer has evolved from a small chemical manufacturer to a global biopharmaceutical leader, delivering breakthroughs that have changed billions of patient lives. This extensive history showcases exactly what has Pfizer achieved in the fields of medications and pharmacology, with impacts spanning from antibiotics to cutting-edge cancer treatments.

According to AbbVie's financial reports in late 2024, the interleukin-23 inhibitor Skyrizi officially surpassed the TNF-alpha inhibitor Humira in quarterly and annual sales, marking a major market shift. This directly answers the question, is Skyrizi overtaking Humira?, and signals a new era in the treatment of autoimmune conditions.

In 2024, Merck's immuno-oncology therapy Keytruda generated nearly $29.5 billion in sales, securing its position as the highest selling drug worldwide. The pharmaceutical landscape is highly dynamic, with new therapies and shifting demands constantly reshuffling the top ranks.

In 2009, pharmaceutical giant Hoffmann-La Roche announced it was ceasing production of the brand-name drug Accutane for the U.S. market. While many assume the move was a direct result of safety concerns, the reasons **why was Accutane discontinued in the US** are a complex mix of business decisions and mounting legal challenges, rather than an FDA-mandated recall.

In 2019, Purdue Pharma filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy following thousands of lawsuits related to its role in the opioid crisis. This action initiated a complex legal process that has reshaped the future of the company and raised questions about **what company still makes OxyContin** and what is being done to address the opioid epidemic it helped create.

As one of the top 10 generic pharmaceutical companies in the world, Aurobindo Pharma plays a significant role in global healthcare [1.6.2]. But a common point of confusion is what is the drug Aurobindo used for? The answer is that Aurobindo is a manufacturer, not a single drug.