Rating of Russian pharmacy chains, following the results of 2014

Over the past year, Russian pharmaceuical retail may not have shown the best growth rates, however, due to the active preparation for the crisis (which some of the market players expected to come in January or February), retail was ready for the moment, when real problems have started. The year has passed under the banner of expences optimization, preventive closure of unprofitable outlets, geographical expansion principles revaluation and, of course, active consolidation processes.

A difficult period is ahead. Even if the industry will not face a decrease of solvent demand from consumers side, then at least the stagnation is imminent, and therefore, retail will face a significant rentability decline. Various ways to increase it lay in the field of related services, provided by pharmacy chains, and the key role in this process play drug promotion services. It is remarkable, that in January 2015 average cost of such services for vendors has increased by 30-50%.

Certain surprises can be expected from regulatory actions of the state. The most serious consequences could cause the initiative to form the rules of proper pharmacy practice and permission to sell medical products in unspecialized retail

* Expert assessment
** Pharmacy associations’ ratings are calculated without the players’ crossing. This rating shows market shares of single pharmacies and associations.