Market reviews

Review of human pharmaceuticals market

Published on 28 April 2020

Finland is the most important individual market for Orion, generating about one-third of the Group‘s net sales. According to Pharmarket statistics (1–3/2020), the total sales of Orion‘s human pharmaceuticals, including both medicinal and non-medicinal products, grew faster than the market. The COVID-19 epidemic increased demand in all product groups in the first quarter, but particularly in self-care products.

Orion‘s biggest product group in Finland are reference-priced prescription drugs in the pharmacy channel. The sales of Orion‘s reference-priced prescription drugs increased from the comparative period despite continuing tough price competition and availability disruptions. The average price of reference-priced drugs in the market declined approximately 5% from the comparative period (Source: Pharmarket). The impact of price competition on Orion has been significant due to the Company‘s broad product range and significant market share in Finland.

Despite the challenging operating environment, Orion has maintained its position as leader in marketing pharmaceuticals in Finland. Orion has a particularly strong position in reference priced prescription drugs and in self-care product sales, with its market share being more than a quarter of the market in each.

Sales of human pharmaceuticals in Finland (medicinal and non-medicinal products):

Source: Pharmarket sales statistics 1-3/2020

Orion‘s market share in the sales of human pharmaceuticals in Finland (medicinal and non-medicinal products):

Source: Pharmarket sales statistics 1-3/2020