According to RNC Pharma®’s “Audit of Retail Sales of Medicinal Products in Russia (total sell-out)”, 58.4 million packs of antiviral medicines^[1] were sold on the Russian retail market in Q1–Q3 2025, which is 4.6% more than in the same period of the previous year. From January to September 2025, Russians spent RUB 34 billion on this group of medicines (in retail prices, including VAT), with value sales increasing by 15.7% year-on-year.

Notably, volume sales have increased for the first time in two years, following a period of declining consumption in retail pharmacies. In 2024, the market continued to contract in physical terms: 81.6 million packs were sold (–2.2% vs. 2023), although value sales grew by 2.1% to RUB 42.8 billion. In 2023, the decline relative to 2022 was even more pronounced (–22% in both value and volume).

Antiviral demand is highly seasonal, typically peaking in September and December. In 2025, however, an unusually strong rise in volume was recorded in February (+29% vs. February 2024) and March (+53%), with more than 21 million packs sold over these two months. The September 2025 peak also occurred as expected, though sales were about 710,000 packs lower than during the previous high season.

The market remains strongly dominated by domestic manufacturers, which account for almost 88% of total volume and about 86% of total value. The leading brand for several years has been Ingavirin (Valenta), which held 18.5% of the market in value terms. Its sales grew by 12%, slightly below the category average. Arbidol (Otcpharm) remains in second place with 11.9%, though 2025 marks the brand’s third consecutive year of decline: value sales fell by 7%, while unit sales dropped by 20%, reflecting competitive pressure from direct analogues. Third place is retained by Kagocel (Binnopharm), which is among the strongest category performers, posting +46% growth.

The fastest growth among the top 10 was observed for non-branded tilorone products sold by six manufacturers: combined sales increased by 63% in both value and volume. Non-branded oseltamivir, supplied by eight companies, also demonstrated strong momentum: +47% in value and +51% in volume.

Top 10 antiviral brands (excluding HIV, herpes and hepatitis treatments) by value sales in the Russian retail market (including online), Q1–Q3 2025

[1] The following groups were included in the analysis: J05B0 – antiviral medicines, excluding products for the treatment of HIV infections; J05B4 – antiviral medicines for the treatment of influenza; J05B5 – antiviral medicines for the treatment of respiratory diseases, excluding influenza treatments; J05B9 – other antiviral medicines — according to the EphMRA classification.