Allergan merger brings Pfizer back into dermatology

Several of Allergan's flagship products are in the therapeutic areas of dermatology and aesthetics, including brands such as Botox and the cosmetic treatment Juvéderm.

"The tax inversion scrutiny with respect to the proposed merger will get attention; we think there are a number of market considerations behind this action," said Bruce Carlson, Publisher of Kalorama Information. "The dermatology space is fast-growing and some of the top treatments are involved."

Some media accounts have noted opposition to this deal, the latest of which have become known as "tax inversion" deals. The merger would create the world's largest drug company and move Pfizer-Allergan's headquarters to Ireland, where the corporate tax rate is 17-18%. The US corporate rate is 35%.

Should the transaction be completed, Pfizer would regain access to some of the therapeutic areas of focus on which the company had previously cut back. In 2007, Pfizer had discontinued their participation in the dermatology, ophthalmology and gastrorenterology (GI) areas. Allergan's key therapeutic categories are dermatology and aesthetics, eye care, central nervous system (CNS) disorders, women's health and urology, anti-infectives and GI. In defending the deal, Pfizer states that with the merger the company's businesses will be significantly enhanced by the addition of a growing revenue stream from Allergan's brands.

The pharmaceutical industry is facing a tougher environment in general, due to harder regulations for gaining approvals for mainstream products, economic issues, and a dwindling pipeline of new products. Reliance on blockbuster drugs is all but over, causing a shift of focus for many drug research and development entities. By focusing on cosmetic medications, many manufacturers are realizing less scrutiny from the FDA and a growing need in the niche markets such as dermatology. This transition will play a role in the future development of the dermatological industry in the years ahead.

These are dynamic times for the prescription dermatological drug industry. The driving forces for the prescription dermatological drugs market include growth and ageing of the worldwide population. The worldwide market for prescription dermatological drugs encompasses a wide variety of products that treat disorders of the skin, as well as the effects of ageing. Industry consolidation, investments in new technologies, and discovery of genetic links to disease are among the industrywide trends.

World Market for Prescription Dermatological Drugs, 9th Edition, details the various categories of prescription dermatological drugs, describes the worldwide market for prescription dermatological drugs, and identifies major market factors that may help to shape the worldwide market for prescription dermatological drugs in the future.

All market data in the report pertains to the worldwide market at the manufacturers' level. Data are expressed in current US dollars. The base year for data was 2015. Historical data are provided for each of the years 2013 and 2014, and forecast data are provided for each of the years 2015 through 2020. Historical, base year, and forecast data are provided for each market segment. Market shares are provided for each market segment for the 2015 base year. Leading companies in the industry are profiled as well.