Best IQVIA Alternatives for Pharma BD Teams (2026)
Comparing IQVIA alternatives? Discover how PharmaDB and other pharma intelligence platforms compare for business development, trade data, and competitive intelligence.
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Query pharmaceutical trade data in plain English with our AI copilot. All your data in one place with the simplest user experience in the industry. Try it below with Atorvastatin exports from India.
| Date | HS Code | Product | Generic | Dosage | Qty | Value | Exporter | Dest. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-07-29 | 29420090 | atorvastatin | - | 2,000 | $270,000 | USA | ||
| 2025-07-29 | 30049079 | atorvastatin | 10mg | 6,082,310 | $139,061 | UK | ||
| 2025-07-29 | 30049079 | atorvastatin | 10mg | 6,018,333 | $137,598 | Germany | ||
| 2025-07-29 | 30049099 | atorvastatin | 10mg | 14,928,000 | $77,917 | Brazil | ||
| 2025-07-29 | 30049099 | atorvastatin | 40mg | 4,374,000 | $77,781 | Canada |
Quick Comparison: PharmaDB vs IQVIA
| Feature | PharmaDB | IQVIA | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trade/Export Data | 10M+ shipment records | Limited | PharmaDB |
| Prescription Data | No | Global coverage | IQVIA |
| AI Copilot | Natural language | Analytics tools | PharmaDB |
| Supplier Discovery | 3,000+ exporters | Not available | PharmaDB |
| Sales Tracking | Via trade data | Comprehensive | IQVIA |
| Market Share | Export-based | Rx-based | IQVIA |
| API Manufacturer Data | Full coverage | Limited | PharmaDB |
| Pricing | From free | $50,000+/year | PharmaDB |
What is IQVIA?
IQVIA (formerly IMS Health and Quintiles) is the world's largest healthcare data company, providing prescription data, clinical trial services, and commercial analytics. With data covering 90%+ of global prescriptions, IQVIA serves as the gold standard for pharmaceutical sales tracking and market share analysis. It's primarily used by commercial, market access, and analytics teams.
Why Teams Switch from IQVIA
No API/Trade Intelligence
IQVIA tracks prescription sales but doesn't show who's manufacturing APIs, what they're exporting, or to which markets. Critical gap for BD teams doing supplier sourcing.
Extreme Cost
Starting at $50,000+/year for basic access, with most enterprises paying $200K+. PharmaDB offers trade intelligence from free, with transparent pricing.
Sales Focus, Not Sourcing Focus
Optimized for commercial teams tracking Rx sales. Not designed for BD teams finding suppliers or tracking upstream trade flows.
Data Complexity
Requires dedicated analysts to extract insights. PharmaDB's AI copilot makes data accessible to anyone.
One Platform, All Pharma Data
We're building the unified data layer for pharmaceutical BD teams. Trade data is live today. More datasets coming soon.
Trade Data
LiveGlobal import/export records for APIs, FDFs, and intermediates
MA Holders Registry
SoonMarketing authorization holders across global markets
IP Landscape
SoonPatent expiries, exclusivities, and freedom to operate
Pharma Tenders
SoonGovernment and institutional procurement opportunities
Drug Shortages
SoonReal-time shortage notices and supply disruptions
Companies & People
SoonPharma company profiles and key decision makers
All datasets accessible through one AI copilot, one subscription.
Why BD Teams Choose PharmaDB Over IQVIA
IQVIA and PharmaDB serve opposite ends of the pharmaceutical value chain. IQVIA shows you what was sold. PharmaDB shows you who made it and where it came from.
Downstream vs Upstream Intelligence
Understand the fundamental difference between Rx-level sales data and trade-level manufacturing data.
- Gabapentin prescriptions filled in Brazil last quarter.
- Which companies exported Gabapentin API to Brazil
- What volumes they shipped and at what prices
- Their export track record to regulated markets
- How their volumes compare quarter over quarter
This is the difference between strategic planning and tactical execution.
Real-World Use Cases
Supplier Sourcing
Find API manufacturers with proven export track records that IQVIA doesn't cover.
Cost Comparison
Compare supplier pricing from actual shipment data, not analyst estimates.
Competitive Monitoring
Track what competitors are manufacturing and shipping, not just selling.
Due Diligence
Verify supplier claims with actual export history and regulatory market experience.
When to Use Each Platform
- Find and qualify API suppliers
- Track competitor manufacturing activity
- Monitor trade flows and export patterns
- Benchmark pricing from actual shipments
- Track prescription market share
- Analyze pharmacy-level sales
- Forecast branded/generic performance
- Monitor payer and formulary coverage
Enterprise pharma uses both: IQVIA for commercial sales tracking and PharmaDB for upstream trade intelligence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PharmaDB a replacement for IQVIA?
They serve different needs. IQVIA provides prescription sales data and market share analytics essential for commercial teams. PharmaDB provides trade data and supplier intelligence essential for BD teams. Most large pharma companies use both for different use cases.
How much does IQVIA cost?
IQVIA pricing typically starts at $50,000+/year for basic therapeutic area access, with enterprise agreements often exceeding $200,000-500,000/year. PharmaDB offers a free tier and transparent pricing for trade intelligence.
Does IQVIA have trade data?
IQVIA has limited trade data compared to prescription data. Their strength is in tracking finished product sales at the pharmacy/prescription level. For upstream data like API exports, manufacturer shipments, and supplier relationships, PharmaDB provides more comprehensive coverage.
What's the difference between IQVIA and PharmaDB?
IQVIA tracks downstream (prescriptions filled, sales made). PharmaDB tracks upstream (who manufactured, who exported, what volumes). Commercial teams use IQVIA to track sales performance. BD teams use PharmaDB to find suppliers and track competitor manufacturing.
Can small companies afford IQVIA alternatives?
Yes. While IQVIA's minimum commitments often exceed $50K/year, alternatives like PharmaDB offer free tiers and pay-as-you-go models. For specific needs like trade intelligence, specialized platforms are more cost-effective than IQVIA's broad but expensive coverage.
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