According to the results of the Pharma & Hospital Report study, Cegedim Customer Information estimates that the volume of medicines dispensed to patients in Romania totaled 715.4 million units in the last 12 months ending March 2025, remaining approximately at the same level (-0,3%) compared to the reference period (April 2023 – March 2024).
The total number of treatment days increased by 1.3%, driven by a 1.2% increase in retail, while the number of hospital treatment days increased by 8.4%.
The value of medicines dispensed to patients in Romania during this period of time increased by 13.4%, reaching RON 35.2 billion (EUR 7.08 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 12.9% compared to the reference period, amounting to RON 18.05 billion (EUR 3.63 billion).
Pharma market evolution in Volume
In the first quarter of 2025, the total volume of medicines dispensed to patients reached 185.5 million units, marking a 3.0% increase compared to the same quarter in 2024. This modest growth was primarily fueled by a 3.1% rise in the retail channel, while hospital dispensations remained quite the same (-0.3%). Analyzing the segments, prescription medications in pharmacies rose by 3.2%, whereas over-the-counter (OTC) products, which include both OTC drugs and nutritional supplements, saw a small increase of 2.9%.
From April 2024 to March 2025, the total volume of drugs dispensed to Romanian patients reached 715.4 million units, remaining approximately at the same level (-0.3%) as in the reference period (April 2023-March 2024). Prescription-based medicines (Rx) from pharmacies increased to 419.0 million units, although this still represents a small decline of 0.4%. Over-the-counter (OTC) products in pharmacies totaled 265.0 million units, which also showed a decrease of 0.7% from the reference period. In contrast, the hospital segment experienced a moderate increase, accounting for 31.4 million units, which represents a growth of 5.6%.
Pharma market evolution in Value
During the analysis period, the total value of medicines dispensed to patients amounted to RON 9.2 billion lei, 13.6% up compared to the first quarter of 2024. This growth was driven by a 12.9% increase in the retail sector and a 17.7% increase in hospital dispensations. Within the retail channel, the value of prescription (Rx) medicines rose by 12.7%, while over-the-counter (OTC) products increased by 13.2%.
Notably, retail Rx drugs related to cost-volume contracts increased by 24.0%, while those under cost-volume-result contracts advanced by 21.3%. Other Rx medicines in retail advanced by 10.8% compared to the first quarter of 2024.
Between April 2024 and March 2025, the total market value reached RON 35.2 billion, reflecting a 13.4% increase compared to the reference period (April 2023 – March 2024). Prescription-based medicines (Rx) from pharmacies generated RON 21.4 billion, marking a 12.9% rise, while over-the-counter (OTC) products totaled RON 8.2 billion, which represents an 8.1% increase. The hospital segment contributed RON 5.6 billion, demonstrating a significant growth of 24.2%.
When isolating the substantial effects of the CVR and CV programs, which amounted to RON 3.4 billion, the value of prescription medicines in retail pharmacies increased by 12.9% from the previous year, reaching RON 18.05 billion (EUR 3.63 billion).
Main players in the local pharmaceutical market
In the first quarter of 2025, the ranking of the top 3 corporations by volume remained unchanged. Sun Pharma (including Terapia) maintained its lead with 18.6 million units, followed by Zentiva (including Labormed and Alvogen) with 16.1 million units, and Servier (including Egis) with 10.9 million units.
During the same period of time, the top three hierarchy by value changed vs the previous quarter. AstraZeneca maintained the leading position with RON 488.4 million, followed by Sun Pharma (RON 422.6 million, including Terapia) and Zentiva (including Labormed and Alvogen) with RON 386.0 million.
To consult the complete information on the Romanian pharmaceutical market evolution in the first quarter of 2025 as well as the top players on this market during the same period, access directly our press release.
We also invite you to consult an executive summary of the study for the mentioned period, with graphical representations of the data presented in our article and beyond.
Pharma & Hospital Report, a reference study in the analysis of the pharmaceutical market in Romania, has been carried out since 1996.
