Pharmaceutical market recovers in Q2

The local pharmaceutical market rose 12.3% in the first half of this year and reached 3.4 billion RON (938.2 million euros), according to data from market research company Cegedim Romania. After 4-5% rises over the previous three quarters of the year, the pharmaceutical market saw a major resurgence in April-June 2008, when the market went up by 21.3%. An over 20% rise was also witnessed in the first quarter of 2007, compared with the same time in 2006. Drug sales through private pharmacies went up 22.8%, while those in hospital pharmacies saw a decline. Prescription drug sales continued to grow faster than OTC (Over-The-Counter) drugs, at a 25% rate.