Based on the findings of the Pharma & Hospital Report, Cegedim Customer Information estimates that between July 2025 and June 2026 the volume of medicines dispensed to patients in Romania totaled 665.2 million units, 5.3% less than the dispensed volumes between July 2024 and June 2025.
The total number of treatment days marginally declined by 0.6, driven by the retail channel (-0.6%), while the number of hospital treatment days decreased even more (-2.5%).
At the same time, the value of medicines dispensed to patients in Romania increased by 6,5%, reaching RON 38.14 billion (EUR 7.46 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 10.2% compared to the reference period, amounting to RON 20.35 billion (EUR 3.98 billion).
Pharma market evolution in Volume
In the 2nd quarter of 2026, the total volume of medicines dispensed to patients reached 157.3 million units, marking a 6.4% decrease compared to the same quarter in 2025 (like-for-like market definition). This negative growth was mainly driven by a 6.9% fall in the retail channel, while hospital dispensations increased by 5.0%. Analyzing the segments, prescription medications in pharmacies decreased by 2.0%, whereas over-the-counter (OTC) products, which include both OTC drugs and nutritional supplements, fell severely by 15.5%.
Between July 2025 and June 2026, the total volume of medicines and food supplements dispensed to Romanian patients amounted to 665.2 million units, 5.3% less than the dispensing volume between July 2024 and June 2025. Prescription-based medicines (Rx) from pharmacies decreased to 410.8 million units (-1.7%), while over-the-counter (OTC) products in pharmacies totaled 223.8 million units, a sharp decrease of 11.6% from the reference period. Also, the hospital segment decreased by 1.9%, accounting for 30.7 million units.
Pharma market evolution in Value
Despite the negative performance in volume, the total value of medicines dispensed to patients amounted to RON 9.60 billion lei, in the 2nd quarter of 2026, 5.5% up compared to the 2nd quarter of 2025. This growth was driven by a 4.5% increase in the retail sector and an 11.1% increase in hospital dispensations. Within the retail channel, the value of prescription (Rx) medicines rose by 9.5%, while over-the-counter (OTC) products decreased by 10.4%. The Rx medicines in retail, other than those assigned to cost-volume and cost-volume-result contracts, advanced by 9.4% compared to the 2nd quarter of 2025.
Between July 2025 and June 2026, the total market value reached RON 38.14 billion, reflecting a 6.5% increase compared to the period from July 2024 to June 2025. Prescription-based medicines (Rx) from pharmacies generated RON 24.28 billion, marking a 10.1% rise, the over-the-counter (OTC) products totaled RON 7.61 billion, marking a 5.6% decrease, while the hospital segment contributed RON 6.25 billion, demonstrating an important rise of 9.3%.
When isolating the substantial effects of the CVR and CV programs, which amounted to RON 3.94 billion, the value of prescription medicines in retail pharmacies increased by 10.2% from the reference period, reaching RON 20.35 billion (EUR 3.98 billion).
Main players in the local pharmaceutical market – second quarter 2026
In the second quarter of 2026, the ranking of the top 3 corporations by volume remained unchanged compared to the previous edition. Sun Pharma (including Terapia) maintained its lead with 17.1 million units, followed by Zentiva (including Labormed and Alvogen) with 14.0 million units, and Servier (including Egis) with 11.2 million units.
In the second quarter of 2026, the top three hierarchy by value hasn’t changed vs the previous one. AstraZeneca maintained the leading position with RON 578.8 million, followed by Sun Pharma (RON 432.2 million, including Terapia) and Zentiva (including Labormed and Alvogen) with RON 377.1 million.
To consult the complete information on the Romanian pharmaceutical market evolution in the second quarter of 2026, as well as the top players in 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.
