The pharmaceutical industry is a $1 trillion-dollar sector and has been a major engine of economic growth and scientific advancement for decades. The industry encompasses a wide range of enterprises including large ethical drug multi-nationals (so-called Big Pharma), mid-sized specialty pharmaceutical companies, generic manufacturers, virtual pharmas, small biotechnology and biopharmaceutical firms, and all the various ancillary support and service companies that provide contract research, regulatory guidance, contract sales, and manufacturing technologies and raw materials.