The total number of pharmacies remained relatively constant last year compared to 2013. According to Health Ministry data, the largest numbers of pharmacies are in Bucharest (around 1,000), counties Constanta (around 430) and Iasi (415), while the fewest are in Covasna (60), Caras-Severin (74) and Salaj (75).
The PMR report notes around 17% of pharmacies in Romania are part of the five largest chains, not considering independent pharmacy associations, more or less the same as in 2013.
The top five pharmacy chains are Catena, owned by Anca Vlad, with over 500 units, Sensiblu, part of A&D Pharma group, with over 400 units, Dona (275 units), owned by Eugen Banciu, Help Net (175 units), part of pharmaceutical distributor Farmexim, and Ropharma (125 units), owned by Mihai Miron.
Other major pharmaceutical networks are Ethica (around 250 in 10 counties), Farmacia Richter (120 units), owned by Hungarian group Gedeon Richter, Belladona (100 units), Farmaceutica Remedia (90 units), controlled by Valentin Norbert Taruș, and Reteta (80 units), owned by the Vonica family in Sibiu.
According to PMR, pharmacy chains compete against one another rather than against independent pharmacies, which struggle to survive in a low margin market.
“The situation on the Romanian pharmaceutical market is somewhat difficult at present. Margins are low and some operators will consider it best to shut down their business than struggle for profitability. The clawback tax affects not just producers but also parts of the distribution chain. producers pressure distributors, which, in turn, pressure pharmacies. Discounts are currently less substantial and margins are low,” PMR notes.
According to PMR data, pharmaceutical retail is estimated to grow 4.3% this year, 7.5% in 2016, 7.2% in 2017 and 7.3% in 2018 and 2019.
The research company adds the updating of the reimbursed medicines list will lead to growth of the innovative medicines market, which will develop at a faster rate than the generics market in the upcoming years.