Non-prescription drugs post first decline in years

Non-prescription drugs, the so-called OTCs, will end the year
with an over 10% decline compared with 2008, the first such decline
in the last few years, amid a decrease in purchasing power. OTCs,
an over 320 million-euro market per year, are a breath of fresh air
for drug manufacturers, with the legislation in force limiting
maximum prices of the other products. Non-prescription drugs are
therefore a very attractive segment for all players in the industry
due to the mark-ups they can add, which can in some cases be as
high as 50%. However, whereas on the one hand profit margins are
certain on this segment, sales volumes are now somewhat lower
compared with last year. According to data from market research and
survey company Cegedim Romania, sales fell month after month since
the beginning of the year, a trend that will deepen in the coming
period, say players in the industry.