In the retail segment of the Russian pharmaceutical market, the first decline in sales of systemic antihistamines in the last three years was recorded for January–April 2026. During this period, consumer spending amounted to RUB 6.6 billion (at retail prices including VAT), which is 2.8% lower than in the same period last year. In physical terms, the decline was even more noticeable: market volume decreased by 9.1%, to 26.6 million packages. This trend interrupted the long-term pattern of consistently increasing demand, which traditionally intensified during the spring months. Last year was a record year for this category of drugs: annual sales volume reached 87.4 million packages (+3.2%) for a total of RUB 20.6 billion (+12.9% in value terms).

According to the "Retail Audit of Drug Sales in Russia (total sell out)" from the analytical company RNC Pharma, compared to the record figures of last year, when the peak demand for antiallergic drugs occurred in April (9 million packages worth RUB 2.3 billion), there is a noticeable decline in the current season. In April 2026, the consumption volume of systemic antihistamines decreased by 14%, to about 7.8 million packages, and consumer spending showed similar negative dynamics, falling by 11% — to RUB 2 billion.

The trend toward a decline in physical demand for antiallergic drugs in January–April 2026 affected almost all federal subjects of the Russian Federation, with sales declines in packages exceeding 5% in most of them. The most pronounced decline was shown by the Moscow region: in the capital, physical consumption decreased by 17% (with spending falling by 14%), and in Moscow Oblast by 15% (spending decreased by 12%). Other large regions also ranked among the leaders in market decline, including Nizhny Novgorod and Samara Oblasts, where sales in packages fell by 12.7% and 11.9%, respectively.

The regional market for antihistamines is characterized by pronounced heterogeneity in seasonal sales peaks. In Krasnodar Krai in 2025, maximum demand occurred in August, reaching 558 thousand packages, largely due to the increase in population density during the peak tourist season. In Saint Petersburg, the wave of consumer activity traditionally began in March, peaking in May at 420 thousand packages. Conversely, in more northern regions — in particular, Novosibirsk Oblast — there is a diffuse seasonality with a moderate increase in sales in June (183 thousand packages). In the current year, 2026, the dynamics show local shifts: while demand increased in March in Saint Petersburg and then slightly decreased by April, in Krasnodar Krai and Novosibirsk Oblast, the buyer activation that began in March continued into April. It is also worth noting that in the capital region last year, a record sales volume for the last three years was recorded in April, when over 1.1 million packages of allergy drugs were sold in pharmacies. In April 2026, consumer activity in Moscow turned out to be significantly lower — market volume in physical terms decreased by more than 30%, to 825.9 thousand packages for the month.

The consumption structure of antihistamines shows pronounced regional specificity: the preferences of residents of the capital and other federal subjects of the Russian Federation differ noticeably. In Moscow, the most expensive drug, Erius (Bayer), maintains its leadership in pharmacy sales volume, with an average price exceeding RUB 1,000 in January–April 2026. Meanwhile, in Moscow Oblast and Saint Petersburg, buyers more often chose the more affordable brand Zodak from Sanofi (about RUB 200 per package). In Krasnodar Krai and Novosibirsk Oblast, the leading position was occupied by Cetrin (Dr. Reddy's) with a similar price threshold of just over RUB 200 per package. Across the entire Russian retail pharmaceutical market, the Cetrin brand confidently retains its status as the absolute leader in the analyzed therapeutic group. Second place in the national ranking by monetary sales is still held by Suprastin (Egis), and the top three is rounded out by the aforementioned Zodak.