Development of the Russian pharmaceutical market: index analysis

Introduction. In 2017, the Russian pharmaceutical market showed an increase in both wholesale prices and volume terms. However, long-term trends indicate a slowdown in the dynamics of its development. The main growth of the Russian pharmaceutical market in 2017 was achieved through public procurements, rather than pharmacy sales to the population, as was typical of previous years. Different government regulatory instruments are gaining more and more influence on the pharmaceutical market Objective: to analyze development trends of the main segments of the Russian pharmaceutical market in 2017. Material and methods. The study was conducted using the IQVIA drug sales data. A system of interrelated indices (price index, structural change index, weighted average price index, sales volume change index) was used. The indices were calculated for the segment of pharmacy sales to the population, as well as for individual segments of the government procurement market. Results. Various factors were determined to contribute to the growth of individual market segments in value terms in 2017. There was a general tendency to lower prices and positive structural changes in the segments of the public procurement market. Total purchase volumes rose in proportion to the growth of financing. The weighted average prices basically either unchanged or decreased, which can be considered as evidence for the enhanced efficiency of using the public funds. The pharmacy market segment exhibited a slight positive price changes with reduced sales volumes. The main factor ensuring an increase in retail sales in value terms in 2017 was a change in the structure of demand in favor of more expensive products. There was evidence that there was a relationship between price changes and the degree of centralization of purchasing. Conclusion. A tendency to lower prices in the main segments of the government medicine procurement market, a change in the market structure in favor of more expensive innovative drugs, and an increase in the volume of purchases are suggestive of the enhanced efficiency of using the public funds.