According to data for Q1 2026, the Russian retail pharmaceutical market demonstrates a high degree of concentration among leaders in terms of the distribution index.* Topping the ranking of drugs with the broadest pharmacy presence is the trademark Pentalgin from Otcpharm: at the beginning of this year, this brand could be purchased in 91.7% of all points of sale, making it the most physically accessible drug in pharmacies across our country. In second place, with a minimal margin, is the previous leader — Nurofen (Reckitt Benckiser), with its distribution index in January–March of this year recorded at 91.4%. During the analyzed period, only two brands managed to cross the 90% threshold.

Third place is occupied by Cardiomagnyl (Nizhpharm), with sales recorded in 88.5% of retail points. Following in the ranking, with very close results, are drugs from foreign corporations: the cardiovascular drug Concor (Merck) with an 88.3% figure, and the antispasmodic No-Spa (Sanofi), which can be purchased in 87.8% of points. The second half of the top ten shows even greater similarity in figures: in sixth and seventh place are the nasal spray Tizin (Johnson & Johnson) and the domestic antioxidant Mexidol (Pharmasoft) — the distribution index of both brands differs by hundredths of a percent, standing at 87.2%. In eighth and ninth positions in the TOP-10 are drugs from Dr. Reddy's — Omez and Ketorol, with brand presence around 87%. Rounding out the top ten is the diuretic Veroshpiron from Gedeon Richter, with sales in Q1 2026 recorded in 86.5% of retail points. The difference between third and tenth place is just 2 percentage points, indicating fairly intense competition and stable distribution chains for the largest brands.

It is also worth noting that trademarks leading in terms of ruble sales volume were characterized by relatively low presence indicators in Russian pharmacies. In Q1 2026, the drug Tirzetta (Promomed) could be purchased in 44.1% of points, while Semavik (Geropharm) was present in 56% of Russian pharmacies.

Interestingly, January was the most active month in terms of drug distribution intensity during the first quarter of 2026. In February and March, the distribution index for most key brands falls. For example, the presence of Pentalgin in pharmacies in the first month of spring stood at 89.3%, and for Nurofen — 88.6%. Conversely, the end of last year was characterized by the maximum level of presence of major brands in pharmacies, with the distribution index for Q4 2025 in the TOP-10 not falling below 92%. For Nurofen, which held first place during this period, the figure exceeded 95.8%.

Table. TOP-10 Drug Trademarks (excluding unbranded drugs) with the Highest Distribution Index in the Retail-Commercial Segment of the Russian Pharmaceutical Market in Q1 2026

*Numeric distribution index is the percentage ratio of points of sale where a specific product was sold to the total number of points over a given period of time.