Pfizer, Inc., the world’s largest drug maker, recently decided to offer around $4.1 billion to get hold of German generic-drug maker Ratiopharm, to increase its drug business. The acquisition would pit Pfizer against Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries of Israel and Actvis of Iceland, both of which are interested in Ratiopharm.

Pfizer has been competing for a larger share of the drug market. The drug giant forecast that the global business is ready to develop to $500 billion by 2012 from $270 billion in 2006.

During last year, the company created an Established Products Business unit to carry out expansion strategies modified to the requirements of branded up-and-coming markets like China, India, Brazil and Russia, branded established markets like Japan, Western Europe and South Korea, and value driven intellectual capital markets like Canada and US.

Pfizer's worldwide yearly sales of traditional products are around $10 billion.

Pfizer signed a deal with India’s Claris Lifesciences Ltd. to make profit out of 15 sterile injectable medicines after the products have lost patent protected and market uniqueness in North America, Australia, New Zealand and Europe.