Based on the findings of the Pharma & Hospital Report analysing the Romanian pharma market, Cegedim Customer Information estimates that from October 2023 to September 2024, the volume of medicines dispensed to patients in Romania totaled 708.3 million units, representing a 1.5% decline compared to the period from October 2022 to September 2023.
The total number of treatment days increased by less than 1%. Excluding medicines allocated to the cost-volume-result (CVR) and cost-volume (CV) programs, the number of treatment days for prescription-bound medicines in retail and hospitals remained quite the same (-0.4%).
During the same period, the value of medicines dispensed to patients in Romania increased by 15.1%, reaching RON 33.0 billion (EUR 6.64 billion) at the wholesale price level. Isolating the impact of the CVR and CV programs, the value of prescription medicines in retail pharmacies increased by 17.6% compared to the reference period, amounting to RON 17.1 billion (EUR 3.44 billion).
Pharma market evolution in Volume
In the third quarter of 2024, the total volume of medicines dispensed to patients reached 172.5 million units, reflecting a 1.7% decrease compared to the same quarter in 2023. This decline was driven by a 2.2% reduction in the retail channel, while hospital dispensations significantly increased by 9.1%. By segment, prescription drugs in pharmacies decreased by 3.9%, whereas over-the-counter (OTC) products, including both OTC drugs and nutritional supplements, increased marginally (0.8%).
From October 2023 to September 2024, the total volume of drugs dispensed to Romanian patients amounted to 708.3 million units, a 1.5% decrease compared to the reference period of October 2022 to September 2023. The volume of prescription-based medicines (Rx) from pharmacies rose to 413.5 million units, representing a 1.8% decrease, while OTC products in pharmacies totaled 264.3 million units, a decrease of 1.4%. The hospital segment accounted for 30.5 million units, marking a small 2.5% increase.
Pharma market evolution in Value
During the same period, the total value of medicines dispensed to patients reached RON 8.5 billion, representing a 13.6% increase compared to the same period last year. This growth was driven by a 11.9% increase in the retail sector and a 23.5% increase in hospital dispensations. Within the retail channel, the value of prescription (Rx) medicines rose by 12.5%, while over-the-counter (OTC) products increased by 10.3%.
Notably, retail Rx drugs under cost-volume contracts increased by 17.5%, while those under cost-volume-result contracts decreased by 9.6%. Other Rx medicines in retail advanced by 12.5% compared to the third quarter of 2023.
From October 2023 to September 2024, the total market value was RON 33.0 billion, marking a 15.1% increase compared to the reference period of October 2022 to September 2023. Prescription-based medicines (Rx) from pharmacies reached RON 20.2 billion, a 16.4% increase, while OTC products from pharmacies amounted to RON 7.8 billion, a 8.3% increase. The hospital segment accounted for RON 5.0 billion, a 21.1% increase.
Isolating the significant impact of the CVR and CV programs, amounting to RON 3.0 billion, the value of prescription medicines in retail pharmacies increased by 17.6% compared to the reference period, amounting to RON 17.1 billion (EUR 3.44 billion).
Main players in the local pharmaceutical market
In the third quarter of 2024, the ranking of the top corporations by volume remained unchanged. Sun Pharma (including Terapia) maintained its lead with 17.5 million units, followed by Zentiva (including Labormed and Alvogen) with 15.9 million units, and Servier (including Egis) with 11.2 million units.
In the third quarter of 2024, the top three corporations by value maintained their positions. AstraZeneca led with RON 441.9 million, followed by Sun Pharma (including Terapia) with RON 381.6 million, and Sanofi with RON 373.4 million.
To consult the complete information on the Romanian pharmaceutical market evolution in the first quarter of 2024 as well as the top players on this market during the same period, access directly our press release.
Pharma & Hospital Report, a reference study in the analysis of the pharmaceutical market in Romania, has been carried out since 1996.
