Pharmaceutical consumption per capita in Romania amounted to around 70 euros last year, up from 57 euros in 2005. By comparison, drug consumption in France stands at 400 euros per capita, and at 485 euros in Germany, according to market players.
The consumption increase reflects the expansion of the pharmaceutical market, which grew by some 20% last year, according to Cegedim Romania market research firm. However, the low consumption level does not mean Romanians are healthier than Germans or French, but that the funds earmarked in Romania for the treatment of diseases are smaller than the ones made available to the Western Europeans.
"Against an average GDP increase of 8% per year and a 6% allocation of GDP for healthcare expenses, as stipulated by European norms, the sum the health sector will benefit from in 2012 will amount to some 8-9 billion euros, of which 3-4bn will be used for drugs. This means Romanians will benefit from 170-200 euros per capita for drugs in 2011, which is comparable to the current average of some Central European countries," explained Dragos Damian, CEO with Terapia Ranbaxy.
Drug sales last year reached 5.47bn RON (1.55bn euros) domestically, up 19.2% year-on-year, according to Cegedim. "The overall drug consumption is rising due to the higher budgetary resources earmarked for the healthcare sector, to the populationes easier access to ambulatory medical services and to ambulatory drugs and also to the populationes obvious stronger purchasing power," said Damian.
The growth rate of the pharmaceutical market has been above playerse initial estimates for the second year in a row. What can we expect to happen in 2007, therefore?
"The modifications announced by authorities and expected to come around in Q2 of 2007 in the structure of the list of subsidised/free drugs, of the mark-ups, as well as the shrinking offering prices within public acquisitions will have an unpredictable impact over the trend of the market for the time being. Also, the need to adjust to EU norms and the future mergers/ acquisitions among players will trigger different trends of the pharmaceutical market and of businesses in this industry," said Damian. At the same time, the market may also be influenced by private insurance. Drug sales through pharmacies boasted the fastest growth last year (25%), while sales through hospitals rose by a mere 1.2%. Prescription drugs totalled 3.44bn RON (977m euros) in 2006, up 25.7% year-on-year. OTC drugs also posted significant growth, to 897m RON (254.5m euros), according to Cegedim.
The top 20 Romanian firms reported average growth by 24%. The biggest increase was registered by Terapia (53%), while Schering Plough was the only one to see a sales decline. GlaxoSmithKline retained its leading position last year.
Drug market in 2006
Drug consumption reached some 70 euros, from 57 euros in 2005
Rising consumption reflected pharmaceutical market expansion, which rose by some 20% last year
Drug sales domestically amounted to 5.47bn RON (1.55bn euros), up 19.2% year-on-year
Sales through pharmacies had the fastest growth, 25%, while sales through hospitals advanced by only 1.2%
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