Expressed in euros, the local pharmaceutical market increased 3.6%.
“Although compared to the first quarter of 2012 there is growth, the quarter-on-quarter decrease from RON3.13 billion to RON3.05 billion clearly shows a tendency to decline, sadly because of constraints and not necessity. The forecast remains modest, as the growth rate for the past 12 months is marginal: +0.2% in volume, +2.2% in days of treatment, and +4.5% in lei and 0% in euros,” Cegedim Romania general manager Petru Craciun said in a press release Wednesday.
He added Cegedim keeps its growth forecast for 2013 unchanged at 1.4% in lei, which would translate into a decrease in euros or US dollars, depending on the evolution of exchange rates.
According to Cegedim’s Pharma & Hospital Report, prescription drugs in pharmacies reached sales of RON2.17 billion (EUR495 million), up 2.5% on the year, while over-the-counter drug sales stood at RON480 million (EUR108.9 million), up 10.3%.
By distribution channels, retail posted a growth of 3.1%, to RON2.64 billion (EUR603.9 million), while the hospital segment increased 7.9%, to EUR406.5 million (EUR92.7 million).
For the past 12 months (April 2012 – March 2013), the local pharmaceutical market stood at RON11.84 billion, up 4.5% compared to the same period the previous year. In euros, the market stagnated at EUR2.65 billion.
By segments, growth rates stood at 3.8% for prescription dugs in pharmacies, 8.4% for over-the-counter drugs, and 4.2% for hospitals. In euros, the retail segment remained unchanged and the hospital segment declined 0.3%.
According to Cegedim, French group Sanofi-Aventis (including Zentiva) remains the market leader in Romania, with sales of RON239 million in the first quarter and RONRON975.7 million in April 2012 – March 2013, with a market share of 8.2%.
The second largest pharmaceutical company on the market is Switzerland’s Hoffmann la Roche, with sales of RON219.5 million in the first quarter and RON876.2 million in the past 12 months, with a market share of 7.4%. The third spot is held by Swiss group Novartis (including Sandoz), with sales of RON186.3 million in thr first quarter and RON741.2 million in the past 12 months, and a market share of 6.3%.
The next three spots are taken by Servier, with sales of RON655.8 million and a 5.5% market share, Pfizer with sales of RON624.3 million and a 5.3% market share, and GlaxoSmithKline with sales of RON583.2 million and a 4.9% market share.
The top ten also includes Merck & Co (RON496.5 million; 4.2%), AstraZeneca (RON487.1 million; 4.1%), Ranbaxy (RON433 million; 3.7%), and Abbott (RON420.1 million; 3.5%).
The ranking from 11 to 20 includes Antibiotice, KRKA, Johnson&Johnson, Teva, Bristol Myers Squibb, Menarini, Alvogen, Bayer, Eli Lilly, and Gedeon Richter, with market shares between 1.4% and 2.5%.