“For 2014, we maintain our previous growth forecast, of 2.7% in lei, as the updated list of reimbursed medicines has not taken effect yet,” said Petru Craciun, general manager of Cegedim Romania.
Sales of pharmaceuticals in Romania were flat on the year in 2012, at RON11.75 billion at distribution prices. In euros, the market increased 1.1% last year, to EUR2.65 billion.
For the 2014-2018 interval, Cegedim estimates an annual average growth of 4.8%: 5.3% in 2015, 6.9% in 2016, 6.3% in 2017, and 3.3% in 2018.
“Although sales are seen rising, profitability isn’t what it used to be,” said Craciun.
Dragos Damian, president of the Association of Generic Medicine Producers in Romania (APMGR), said an annual average growth of 4.8% should bring higher investments in the Romanian pharmaceutical sector, but the unpredictable and hostile business environment does not allow that and, on the contrary, some producers might shut down.