The Romanian pharma retail market increased by 1.7% last year, reaching EUR 2.4 billion.

This year the market would grow by 4.3%, according to estimates from market research company PMR, cited by local Mediafax.

There were over 8,200 drug stores across the country last year, a number similar to 2013.

Five large pharmacy chains hold about 17% of all the pharmacies in Romania. These include Catena, with over 500 units, Sensiblu, with over 400 units, Dona (275), Help Net (175) and Ropharma (125).

In addition, smaller pharmacy chains with a strong regional position are present on the market.

The large pharma chains compete among themselves, rather than against the independent pharmacies, that struggle for survival on a small-margin market.

The pharma retail market is expected to grow by 7.5% in 2016 and by 7.3% in 2018 and 2019, according to PMR estimates.

editor@romania-insider.com