The industry maintains its structural stabilising role in the economy, even as real GDP growth is expected to decelerate to around 0.7% in 2026.

The pharmaceutical industry requires substantial investment in research, development, and production globally. US companies are expected to generate revenues of approximately €480 billion in 2025, above European competitors and significantly above Asian companies. Currently, there are approximately 16,000 different drugs in development for cancer treatment, with 43% in preclinical phase and 18% in discovery phase. Immunology ranks second with 5,775 drugs in development, and diabetes third with 1,400.

However, the operational environment grows more complex, with pressure to reduce drug prices and intensifying competition from generic manufacturers. By 2030, more than 130 drugs will lose their exclusivity, putting pressure on global revenues estimated at over €330 billion.

Romania ranks among the largest pharmaceutical markets in CEE, with revenues exceeding €5.5 billion in 2024 and over 8,200 pharmacies. The sector employs over 21,000 active pharmacists and focuses predominantly on generic drugs. Approximately 53% of medicinal and pharmaceutical product exports go to other EU member states, with 47% to non-EU markets.

"In Romania, demographic factors and sedentary lifestyles keep demand for pharmaceutical products in a captive market. Although price increases are not immediately passed on to the end consumer, the process is taking place regularly," says Mihai Chipirliu, Credit Director at Allianz Trade Romania. The Romanian pharmaceutical market is expected to record positive nominal growth by 2026, supported by population aging and expansion of the OTC segment, despite limitations in local production capacity.