Analysis of the pharmaceutical sector by a consultancy firm revealed that the market value, calculated at retail prices, was significantly driven by generic drug sales, which rose by 16% to comprise 26% of the total market share.
In 2024, Portugal saw the sale of 193 million medicinal packages, marking a 4.9% increase, a figure that includes orders from the National Health Service.
The 37 leading companies in the pharmaceutical distribution sector employed 2,027 workers in 2024, averaging 55 employees per company.
The consultancy highlights that the sector is predominantly composed of small-sized companies, with only six employing more than 50 workers as of 2023.
The industry witnessed a rise in workforce numbers for the first time since 2018, primarily concentrated in Lisbon (16 companies) and Porto (seven companies) districts.
