Drug imports 17 times higher than exports

Drug exports amount to less than 100 million euros per year, i.e. are 17 times lower than imports, which stand at around 1.7 billion euros per year, according to ZF calculations based on data provided by players.

Most imported products are patent drugs, more expensive than locally manufactured ones, with the rise of the pharmaceutical market, of around 20% in the last few years, being largely driven by expensive products. The authorities have lately announced they want to implement measures meant to limit consumption of expensive drugs.

On the other hand, although they continue to be very low, exports are following a significant upward trend, with manufacturers preferring foreign markets because they generate cash faster than the Romanian market.