Got $500? 3 Pharma Stocks to Buy and Hold Forever

Core Investment Thesis - Investing in pharmaceutical stocks can yield significant returns if the right companies are selected and held long-term [1] Vertex Pharmaceuticals - Vertex Pharmaceuticals dominates the cystic fibrosis (CF) market, generating nearly $2.7 billion in sales in Q1, a 13% increase year-over-year [2][3] - The company has a strategy to access nearly all eligible CF patients and is developing additional therapies, minimizing R&D costs [2] - Vertex is also seeking FDA approval for its acute pain program, which could provide substantial revenue if successful, while its CF business remains a strong fallback [3] Eli Lilly - Eli Lilly is focused on cardiometabolic medicines, with its drugs Mounjaro and Zepbound generating significant sales, $1.8 billion and $517 million respectively in Q1 [4][5] - The company is in the process of developing new molecules for type 2 diabetes and obesity, and expanding indications for existing drugs to meet high demand [5] - Eli Lilly's production capabilities are currently unable to meet demand, indicating a bullish outlook for the stock as it works to catch up [5] Pfizer - Pfizer's strategy involves becoming a leader in oncology medicines through R&D, acquisitions, and collaborations, aiming for an additional $45 billion in annual revenue by 2030 [6][7] - The company expects 2024 revenue between $58.5 billion and $61.5 billion, potentially exceeding $100 billion annually by 2030 [7] - While ambitious, Pfizer's plans are supported by a history of successful execution, presenting a favorable risk-reward balance [7]