The worldwide market for prescription cardiovascular medications, which topped $75 billion in 2004, will surpass the $100 billion mark by 2008, according to a new report recently released from Kalorama Information. However, growth in the market is uneven — certain therapeutic classes are on the decline while some niche areas show double- digit annual growth.

The new study, The Worldwide Market for Prescription Cardiovascular Drugs, found that generic competition will significantly impact established areas of cardiovascular therapy, such as diuretics, which will record negative growth over the next 5 years. Newer emerging therapeutic classes are driving the market forward and more than making up for the losses. Antiplatelet agents, for example, have shown nearly 20% annual growth over the past three years and will continue to post strong revenue growth through 2009 with at least six new drugs in late-stage clinical trials or awaiting approval.

“The aging population is driving the cardiovascular market forward as a whole,” notes Mary Anne Crandall, the principal author of the study, “But it’s the new drugs and, particularly, new combination products that are changing clinical practice and providing the major opportunities for manufacturers.”

The study examined eight major segments of the cardiovascular market, including cardiac glycosides and positive inotropic agents, antihypertensives, antiarrhythmics, vasodilators and peripheral vasodilators, antihyperlipidemics, blood modifiers, diuretics, and other cardiovascular drugs. In addition, the report details epidemiology and demographics, covers major trends — such as OTC statins, combination product development, and potentially new approaches to hypertension — and provides competitive market share for the major players in each segment.