How many millions (or billions) of dollars of pharmaceutical drugs are
prescribed by various physicians (cardiothoracic surgeons and other
specific physician subspecialties) in the US in any given year. I
would like to know specificially for the breakdown for the various
physician specialties.

Hello surgk200-ga

Thank-you for your question.

In the USA, a company called IMS Health tracks pharmaceutical sales
and produces regular reports detailing their volumes sold.

"IMS is the one global source for pharmaceutical market intelligence,
providing critical information, analysis and services that drive
decisions and shape strategies.

Just about every major pharmaceutical and biotech company in the world
is a customer of IMS. Our unique mix of experience and expertise makes
us the right choice for help in optimizing portfolios ? ensuring
successful launches ? managing brands ? and improving the
effectiveness of sales teams."
http://www.imshealth.com/ims/portal/front/indexC/0,2773,6025_1825_0,00.html

"North America posted a 6% sales growth at $190.55 billion in sales in
the 12 months to June 2005. The Key therapy growth areas for North
America was the Cardiovascular group with a 11% growth at constant
exchange, the same as last months survey. "
http://www.imshealth.com/ims/portal/front/articleC/0,2777,6025_41382715_74694992,00.html
http://www.imshealth.com/vgn/images/portal/cit_40000873/47/4/74694989IMS%20Retail%20Drug%20Monitor%20June2005.pdf

The above report also breaks down these figures to:

TOTAL                   179,282 million dollars
CARDIOVASCULAR           33,219 million dollars
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYS      41,328 million dollars
ALIMENTARY/ MET.         24,430 million dollars
RESPIRATORY              16,602 million dollars
ANTI- INFECTIVES         14,058 million dollars
MUSCULO-SKELETAL         11,118 million dollars
GENITO- URINARY          10,708 million dollars
CYTOSTATICS               7,668 million dollars
BLOOD AGENTS              5,351 million dollars
DERMATOLOGICALS           4,730 million dollars
SENSORY ORGANS            3,088 million dollars
DIAGNOSTIC AGENTS         2,557 million dollars
SYSTEMIC HORMONES         2,718 million dollars
MISCELLANEOUS             1,476 million dollars
HOSPITAL SOLUTIONS            4 million dollars
PARASITOLOGY                227 million dollars

Other interesting reports:
http://www.imshealth.com/ims/portal/front/articleC/0,2777,6025_3665_70069264,00.html
http://www.imshealth.com/ims/portal/front/indexC/0,2773,6025_5266_0,00.html
http://www.imshealth.com/ims/portal/front/articleC/0,2777,6025_3665_69890098,00.html

I hope this answer is sufficient for your needs, should you require
any further assistance on this subject please ask for clarification
and I will do my best to respond swiftly.

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Request for Answer Clarification by surgk200-ga on 01 Sep 2005 04:47 PDT

I know this report.  What it lacks is a break down within each area by
types of physician specialties.  For example, cardiovascular diseases:
 what percent of dollars spent are by cardiovascular surgeons,
cardiologist, family practitioners, general internists, other internal
medicine specialists, etc.

For example Alimentary Tract, what percentage by gastroenterologist,
internists , family practice, etc.  The information below I already
know,  it is the breakdown by specialty that I am interest in.  Thanks

---

Clarification of Answer by palitoy-ga on 01 Sep 2005 05:02 PDT

I have been unable to track down any further specific information for
you after searching for a couple of hours.  I have contacted IMS
Health to discover whether they have the information you require but
they have yet to respond.  If this results in any further information
I will post the information here.

From the clarification you have posted it would appear to require a
lot more work than a $25 question would suggest.  As I indicated I
have already spent 2 hours trying to track down the information you
required and presented you with what I thought answered your question
the most fully.
http://answers.google.com/answers/pricing.html

When posting a question it is always best if the customer gives the
researchers as much information as possible so that we do not
duplicate any research you have found.  If you are unhappy with the
response you may request a refund:
http://answers.google.com/answers/faq.html#refund