Drug production in Russia

Pharmaceutical market of Russia

Main article: Pharmaceutical market of Russia

2024

17.8% increase in drug production to ₽844,3 billion (RNC Pharma data)

In February 2025, the results of the production of drugs in Russia for 2024 became known. According to RNC Pharma, the volume of production of finished drugs for the year amounted to ₽844,3 billion, which is 17.8% more than in 2023. Production in natural units reached 4.12 billion packages, which is equivalent to 83 billion minimum dosage units (MED).

According to Pharmaceutical Bulletin, in December 2024, the volume of drug production amounted to ₽90,5 billion, which is 33.5% more than in December 2023. At the same time, the total production of drugs in natural units showed a decrease: compared to 2023, the volume of drugs in packages decreased by 1.2%.

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Фото: Freepik

During 2024, Russian pharmaceutical enterprises ensured stable production volumes. The largest decline in the production of drugs was recorded in March, when the volume decreased by 7.3% year-on-year, and the maximum growth occurred in July and amounted to 15.5%.

The total number of manufacturers producing medicines in 2024 reached 462 companies, which is 15 more than in 2023. The production of prescription drugs increased by 4.1% in packages, while the production of over-the-counter drugs decreased by 2.2%. At the end of the year, the share of prescription drugs in the total production reached 49.3%.

Ozone Pharmaceuticals remains the leader among manufacturers of prescription drugs, providing more than 10% of total production. The top three manufacturers also included Binnopharm (5.2%) and Pharmasintez (4.5%). However, Binnopharm reduced production by 6.7% in packages.

In 2024, Azithromycin became one of the most popular prescription drugs, the volume of production of which increased by 53.5%. The main suppliers of this medicine were Ozone and Velpharm. Production of Azithromycin at the Ozone plants almost tripled, and Velpharm resumed production of this drug after no shipments in 2023.^[1]

Drug production growth by 18% (Rosstat data)

The Federal State Statistics Service in early February 2025 published data on the growth in the production of medicines and medical materials in Russia. In 2024, the figure increased by 18% compared to 2023. According to the ministry, in December, production increased by 34.7%, which became one of the most significant monthly growth during the reporting period.

According to TASS, in 2024, 540 new names of medicines appeared on the Russian pharmaceutical market with a total volume of 52.1 million packages. During this period, 61 new international non-proprietary names were introduced with a production volume of 3.6 million packages.

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Фото: Freepik

According to the Center for the Development of Advanced Technologies, 36 of the new international non-proprietary names were imported, and 24 were produced in Russia. One drug was produced both in the country and supplied from abroad.

Yegor Zhavoronkov, head of the department for work with socially significant goods of the CRPT, notes that the new international non-proprietary names cover a wide range of pharmacological groups. The largest share is occupied by sex hormones and modulators of genital function - 20%.

A significant part of the new drugs are vitamins - 17%, antitussive drugs and agents for the treatment of colds - 10%, muscle relaxants - 10% and drugs for the treatment of diseases associated with impaired acidity - 8%.

Rosstat also recorded an increase in the production of biologically active food additives by 20.5% to 29.6 thousand tons in 2024. In December 2024, the production of dietary supplements increased by 26.5% compared to December 2023 and by 19% compared to November, reaching 3 thousand tons.

Pharmaceutical manufacturers have the opportunity to produce drugs with one active ingredient under various trademarks, which contributes to the expansion of the range in the drug market.^[2][3]

Growth of dietary supplements production by 20.5% to 29.6 thousand tons

Production of biologically active additives in Russia in 2024 increased by 20.5% and amounted to 29.6 thousand tons. This was announced by the Federal State Statistics Service in February 2025. In December 2024, output reached 3 thousand tons, which is 26.5% more than in December 2023. Read more here

2023

Vaccine production doubled to 39.92 million doses

In 2023, about 39.92 million doses of vaccines of various types were produced in Russia. This is almost twice as much as in the previous year, when the volume of output was estimated at 21.11 million doses. Such data are given in the study of the Business Profile group, the results of which were published on February 4, 2025. Read more here

Increase in antibiotic production by 60% to 1,621 tons

At the end of 2023, 1,621 tons of antibiotics were produced in Russia. This is about 60% more compared to 2022, when the volume of output was estimated at 1007 tons. This is stated in the study of the Business Profile group, the results of which were published on February 4, 2025. Read more here

Hydrogen peroxide production in Russia for 4 years increased by 9%

In 2023, approximately 113 thousand tons of hydrogen peroxide were produced in Russia. This is 4% more compared to the previous year, when the volume of output was estimated at 109 thousand tons. BusinesStat cites such data in a report submitted on March 27, 2024. Read more here.

The growth of drugs produced in Russia to 1483 names

In 2023, the production of 1,483 names of medicines was established in Russia, which is 45 more than a year earlier. The number of brands on the pharmaceutical market during this time increased by 141 positions and reached 2964 items. This is evidenced by the data released on February 1, 2024 by the analytical company RNC Pharma.

According to experts, the development of the assortment in 2023 was almost exclusively due to prescription drugs, the total number of SKUs in the competitive group increased by 502 names. The natural dynamics of the products released in the Rx-category was also higher. Here, relative to 2022, the volume of shipments increased by 3% in packages, while shipments of over-the-counter drugs decreased by 6.2%.

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Фото: Pexels

For the group of prescription drugs in 2023, the total number of companies shipping drugs to the market amounted to 380 units (28 more than in 2022). And this is despite the suspension of the activities of individual structures, in particular, in 2023, the packaging of a number of GSK vaccines was stopped, which was previously carried out at the SmithKlein Beecham-Biomed site in Petrovo-Dalniy near Moscow. Elpida showed the maximum natural dynamics in 2023: the volume of shipments increased by 15.6 times compared to 2022, we are talking about the supply of the drug of the same name for the treatment of HIV infection.

The second result is demonstrated by Ever Pharma, which last year multiplied the production of Cerebrolysin in partnership with the Russian company Sotex. We also note the NovaMedica company, which last year ensured a 6.1-fold increase in production, the dynamics were provided by the antimigrenous drug Relonova and the sleeping pills Levroso^[4]

Drug production growth by 7.2% to 651 billion rubles

In 2023, Russian pharmaceutical enterprises produced drugs worth 651 billion rubles, which is 7.2% more than a year earlier. This is evidenced by Rosstat data published at the end of January 2024.

According to TASS, citing materials from the department, the production of medicines and materials used for medical purposes increased by 1.9% in 2023. Serums and vaccines in doses for 2023 were produced by 25.5% more than in 2022, and in ampoules their production decreased by 15.5%.

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Фото: Pexels

The production of pharmaceutical substances in 2023 decreased by 11.9%. According to Rosstat, dressings and similar products, including those impregnated or coated with medicines, were manufactured in the amount of 665 million packages at the end of 2023, which is 15% higher than a year ago.

According to RNC Pharma estimates, the volume of production of finished medicines in Russia in 2023 amounted to 716.5 billion rubles (in shipping prices of manufacturers, including VAT). Ruble dynamics compared to 2022 was recorded at 7.2%. The natural volume of products produced for the year amounted to 4.09 billion packages, which is 2% less than in 2022.

According to analysts, given the abnormal behavior of consumers and other market participants in the comparison period, even this result can be recognized as positive. Moreover, when conducting calculations in the minimum dosage units (MED), dynamics generally go into a plus. Here, relative to 2022, the increase was recorded at 1.2%. In total, at the end of 2023, pharmaceutical manufacturers localized in Russia shipped more than 80.6 billion MED of finished drugs, calculated in RNC Pharma.^[5]

2022

Russian manufacturers of cosmetic drugs increased their production by 47.6%

In 2022, 1.39 million packages of cosmetic drugs were produced in Russia, which is 47.6% more than in the previous year. This was reported in the market research agency "GuideMarket" in mid-June 2023. Read more here.

8.4% increase in drug production

In 2022, drugs worth 608 billion rubles were manufactured in Russia, which is 8.4% more than a year earlier. Such data are given in the statistics of Rosstat (published in early February 2023).

According to the department's calculations, the production of medicines and materials used for medical purposes in 2022 increased by 8.6% compared to 2021. The production of medicines and materials used for medical purposes in 2022 increased by 8.6% compared to 2021. Dressings and similar products, including those impregnated or coated with medicines, were produced 597 million packages in 2022, which is 22.9% more than in 2021.

Drug production in Russia in 2022 increased by 8.4%

According to estimates by the consulting company Yakov & Partners, the volume of the Russian pharmaceutical market in 2022 reached 2.8-2.9 trillion rubles, which is 20% more than a year ago, equal to 2.3 trillion rubles. According to the company's estimates, by the end of 2022, 550 Russian and 570 foreign pharmaceutical companies were operating on the domestic market. Despite the lack of explicit restrictions, ten manufacturing companies from "unfriendly countries" have already faced difficulties due to the rupture of supply chains and the political situation in the world, analysts say. At the same time, in 2023 and subsequent years, 95% of the market may be under threat, Yakov and Partners warn, implying import dependence on the Russian pharmaceutical industry.

Most foreign companies have stopped investing in their Russian projects, marketing and promotion, which could subsequently lead to the complete withdrawal of their drugs from the Russian market, Yakov and Partners analysts say. According to their calculations, the share of foreign companies in the Russian market is now about 25% in the budget and 23% in the commercial segments. Collectively, companies from "unfriendly countries" occupy more than half of the drug market, while Russian players account for 36%.^[6]

Russian pharmaceutical companies increased by 80% the production of new drugs amid the departure of foreign manufacturers from the Russian Federation

In January-July 2022, Russian pharmaceutical companies registered more than 740 new drugs in the country, which exceeds 80% of all registration certificates approved during this period (data from the Ministry of Industry and Trade, published in December 2022). This indicator is due to the departure of foreign manufacturers from the Russian Federation.

According to the National Labeling System, by December 2022, Russian pharmaceutical companies produce more than 1600 drugs with one active ingredient (international non-proprietary name, INN). In total, about 2500 INNs operate on the market, according to DSM Group CEO Sergei Shulyak. Imports are completely replaced by 45 species out of 808 vital and essential drugs.

Russian pharmaceutical companies increased the production of new drugs by 80%

As Nikolai Bespalov, Development Director of RNC Pharma, explains, foreign pharmaceutical manufacturers have begun to adjust product portfolios amid import substitution. In addition, many refuse individual products or dosage forms if Russian enterprises have begun producing analogues of such drugs.

His words are confirmed by the general director of DSM Group Sergey Shulyak: when Russian analogues appear, it is economically unprofitable to import a foreign drug. Therefore, a number of foreign companies have localized the production of drugs in Russia and are participating in state tenders.

According to RNC Pharma estimates, by the third quarter of 2022, the number of foreign drug brands sold in Russia decreased to 2073 from 2517 by the beginning of 2018. Companies can produce a drug with one active ingredient, but under different brand names. For example, drugs with the active ingredient diclofenac are registered under the brands Voltaren, Veltavel, Flector Rapid, Orthophen, Naklofen, etc.^[7]

2020: Rosstat: Drug production in Russia increased by 20%, reaching 486 billion rubles

The production of drugs in Russia in 2020 increased by 19.9% compared to 2019 and reached 486 billion rubles. Such data are provided by Rosstat.

According to the department's calculations, the production of medicines and materials used for medical purposes increased by 23% in 2020 compared to the previous year. The annual production of serums and vaccines in ampoules in money increased by 59.2%. In quantitative terms, doses of serums and vaccines were produced by 0.4% less than a year earlier.

By the end of 2020, the production of pharmaceutical substances increased by 17.5% compared to the indicator of one year ago. The production of provitamines, vitamins and their derivatives reached 488 tons (+ 20.6% by 2019), antibiotics - 560 tons (+ 1.7%).

Rosstat: Drug production in Russia in 2020 increased by 20%

Rosstat also cites data according to which dressings and similar products impregnated or coated with medicines were produced in the amount of 264 million packages in 2020, which is 5.1% less than a year earlier.

According to DSM Group analysts, the pharmaceutical market turned out to be one of the industries that felt the turbulence of 2020 to the greatest extent. Income growth due to the rush demand for medicines, an increase in the role of the public sector, increased activity of regulators and equally active lawmaking - all these factors have become for the industry both strength tests and new opportunities, experts say.

The state segment remains a key driver of the growth of the pharmaceutical market in Russia, and its share of investments has been growing over the past two years. In this regard, the largest buyers of drugs traditionally remain the Ministry of Health of Russia and the Department of Health of Moscow. The rating of the largest drug suppliers also remains stable:

• Pharmstandard;
• R-Pharm;
• Farmimex^[8]

2019: Russia is a manufacturer of drugs, not medical equipment

In Russia, unlike some other countries, the main share of medical and pharmaceutical production falls on drugs, and not on medical equipment.

2014: Transition to GMP production standards

One of the factors that affects the dynamics of the pharmaceutical market in the Russian Federation in 2014 is the introduction of requirements for mandatory compliance with GMP (Good manufactured practice) production standards with 01.01.2014 (Federal Law "On the Circulation of Medicines" No. 61-FZ). The closure of enterprises that cannot be modernized can lead to a reduction in supply and an increase in prices for domestic medicines.

2011: Largest producers

The Russian pharmaceutical market is importo-oriented. 76% of drugs in monetary terms, which are consumed by the population, are produced abroad. Therefore, the first places in the ranking manufacturers are occupied by foreign companies:

• Sanofi,
• Novartis.
• On the third line is the Pharmstandard only domestic manufacturer in the TOP-20 leading players in the pharmaceutical market. Russia

Notes