Semaglutide was the best-selling medicine in 2024
In 2024, total medicine sales amounted to EUR 4 billion, increasing by 5% (EUR 188 million) from the previous year.
Prescription medicine sales in outpatient care totalled EUR 2,746 million, over-the-counter medicines EUR 398 million, and wholesale sales to hospitals and other institutions EUR 883 million. Compared to 2023, over-the-counter medicine sales decreased by 2%, hospital sales grew by 1%, and prescription medicine sales rose by 7%, marking a stronger increase than in previous years.
Semaglutide was the best-selling medicine in 2024, with a 32% sales increase from the previous year. Semaglutide is a GLP-1 analogue used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, administered by subcutaneous injection or orally, and increasingly used for weight loss in non-diabetic patients.
Nicotine was the second best-selling medicine, though its sales decreased by 10%. Changes in product classification have excluded some nicotine products from medicine statistics, while sales of nicotine pouches have grown significantly, especially among young people, raising concerns about underage use.
The third best-selling medicine was apixaban, an anticoagulant, whose sales fell by 18%. The expiration of patent protection and inclusion in the reference price system have led to lower prices and decreased sales. Rituximab, used in the treatment of lymphomas and leukaemia, entered the top ten list with a 42% increase in sales. Sales of enzalutamide, used for prostate cancer, also continued to grow more strongly than in previous years.
Meanwhile, adalimumab, previously a best-seller for rheumatic diseases, fell off the list after biosimilar products and reference pricing reduced its sales over several years.
