Russian pharma market showing positive dynamics this year

The Russian pharmaceutical market grew up to 814 billion roubles ($10 billion) in the first quarter of 2025, 11% higher compared to the same period in 2024, according to latest data, provided by experts of the Russian research agency in the field of pharmaceutics DSM-Group and some local media reports, reports The Pharma Letter’s local correspondent.

The pharmacy segment, which accounts for a large share of the market (553 billion roubles), increased by 8.4%, while the segment of public procurements demonstrated a growth of almost 15%. In terms of state purchases, the maximum growth was shown by the regional subsidized drug sector - which increased by 23% to 78 billion roubles. At the same time hospital purchases grew by 16%, to 124 billion roubles.

DSM-Group’s chief executive Sergey Shulyak said in an interview with the Russian Kommersant business paper, the relatively small growth of pharmacy segment was mainly due to the abnormally warm winter in Russia this year, which led to the decline in the number of cases of acute respiratory viral infections among local population, therefore, the demand for a whole range of drugs against viral infections was lower than last year. At the same the segment of "mass" drugs, which accounts for the bulk of sales in the Russian pharmaceutical retail, grew by only 6.5% during this time.