It is less known, though, that drug brands such as Penicilina (penicillin), Streptomicina, Romergan and Algocalmin have been present on drugstore shelves for half a century.
The 1950s saw in the U.S. the debut of the color TV era, while Romania saw the launch of chemical plant Fabrica Chimica no.2 in Iasi, currently Antibiotice, which was to manufacture Penicilina, a product launched in 1956.
This is the oldest drug brand still sold today, reveals a ZF analysis based on data provided by the largest local drug manufacturers. No data are available from smaller manufacturers, so there could be other old drugs still enduring on the market.
The ZF analysis reveals that there are still old Romanian drug brands today, competing against imported drugs, although they do not have the promotional budgets that international giants do.
Products such as Nurofen currently dominate drugstore shelves.
Production of Penicilina at the Iasi plant amounted to 270 million vials by 2010, according to data provided by company representatives. Today Penicilina is available only on prescription.
Two years later the company launched another injectable drug, Streptomicina, used mainly in the treatment of tuberculosis, of which over 640 million vials were manufactured in the same period.
The next important moment in the history of the product was 2004, when its name changed to Strevital. Antibiotice is controlled by the Health Ministry.
While Penicilina, which was launched 56 years ago, is the oldest Romanian drug, the first plants are near 100 years old. Biofarm, one of the oldest local plants, was founded in 1921.
The oldest brand in Biofarm’s portfolio is Romergan, a syrup available on prescription and used to treat allergies, as well as anxiety, insomnia etc.
Launched in 1960, the drug did not change its name, but the packaging was changed several times. The current one has been used since 2006.
Also in 1960, Biofarm launched Colebil (it took this name in 1963 after it was previously called Felagon), a product for the digestive tract. One year later Biofarm brought onto the local market Romazulan, a weak painkiller.
The history of Sicomed (the name Sicomed was used after 1990, but later the plant took the name of its majority shareholder after it was taken over by Zentiva) started in 1962 with the launch of drug manufacturer Uzina de Medicamente Bucuresti and of Algocalmin, currently the best-selling drug in Romania in terms of volume.
Since February 2011, Algocalmin is available only on prescription.
In 1963, the company launched painkiller Antinevralgic, still a top ten best-selling drug.
In 1968, Antibiotice Iasi started to manufacture Moldamin, the oldest brand in the portfolio of Antibiotice Iasi to be exported. 50 million vials were manufactured until 2010, according to data revealed by the Iasi-based company.
Faringosept was launched by Terapia Cluj more than 30 years ago. The brand’s exports currently amount to EUR13 million and account for 86% of Terapia Ranbaxy’s exports. “Younger” products, such as Aspacardin, launched 15 years ago, and Furazolidon, launched around the same time, are still available on the market.
Old Romanian drugs have lost the battle against imported drugs in terms of value, but won the battle of volumes.
There are no Romanian brands in the top 10 ranking regarding sales value. However, Algocalmin dominates the ranking by volume, although it is on a decline.
(English version by Daniela Stoican)