Big Pharma

American  

[big fahr-muh] / ˈbɪg ˈfɑr mə /

Or big pharma

noun

1. pharmaceutical companies considered collectively, especially with reference to their political and commercial influence.

   The article attributes rising medical costs to private healthcare, Big Pharma, and insurance.

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Etymology

Origin of Big Pharma

First recorded in 1990–95

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Big Pharma

“It’s a genuine place to be. I worried about going into Big Pharma and feeling evil. Novo felt wonderful. It was so focused on patient care, on science.”

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 5, 2026

That is the sector’s basic bargain: Early investors back unproven science, then exit when Big Pharma writes a check.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 28, 2026

Big Pharma needs this type of innovation: About $300 billion in annual sales will disappear by early next decade due to patents expiring.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 28, 2026

Big Pharma companies are constantly searching for the next hot new drugs—and it’s often a lot easier to buy them than develop them.

From Barron's ● Apr. 6, 2026

There have been a flurry of acquisitions of biotech names by Big Pharma giants, an easing of worries around threatened drug price reform, and some good news from companies.

From Barron's ● Dec. 28, 2025