MANUFACTURER SHIPMENTS OF NON-BARBITURATE SEDATIVES/NARCOTICS JUMP 78% IN 1985 TO $120.9 MIL., CENSUS BUREAU REPORTS; ALL DRUGS UP 10% TO $22 BIL.

The value of manufacturer shipments of ethical, non-barbiturate sedatives and narcotics increased 78% to $120.9 mil. between 1984 and 1985, according to figures published by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, in its most recent industrial report for the pharmaceutical industry.

Shipments of barbiturates stablized during the period at approximately $23 mil. However, growth in shipments of central nervous system drugs overall increased 14% to $5.7 bil., the Census Bureau reported. The central nervous system category continues to be by far the largest segment in the Census Bureau breakdown of the drug industry, almost 70% larger than the next largest category of antiparasitics and anti-infectives.

An increase in total sedative and hypnotic shipments during 1985, combined with a leveling of barbiturate shipments suggest the continuing growth in 1985 of the benzodiazepine class.

The fasting growing class in 1985 was the respiratory drug group. Total ship values jumped almost 22% to over $2.2 bil. Cardiovasculars grew 17% in 1985 and have increased in value of shipments almost 300% since 1978.

In total, manufacturer shipments of ethical and OTC pharmaceutical preparations, with the exception of biologicals, amounted to $23.4 bil. in 1985, according to the Bureau of Census data, an increase of 10% over $21.1 bil. in 1984. Of this total, human pharmaceuticals made up 94% or $21.1 bil., up 11% over 1984, the agency noted. Shipments of veterinary products declined 3% to $818.1 mil. [Editor's Note: The value of shipments is defined as the net sales price of physcial shipments of all products sold, transferred to other establishments of the same company, or shipped on consignment, whether for domestic or export sale.]

Chart omitted.