Comprehensive assessment of the current state and dynamics of the Russian market of phytomedicines over the period 2020–2025

Introduction. Phytomedicines (PM) are medicinal products that contain at least one plant-based component with established pharmacological activity. The global PM market has demonstrated steady growth for many years. Despite growing demand, the Russian PM market remains understudied.

Aim. To assess the current state and structure of the Russian PM market over the period 2020–2025.

Materials and methods. The data from the analytical agency DSM Group (2020–2025) were used for the market assessment. PM containing at least one herbal-based component were included in our analysis. A modified Boston Consulting Group (BCG) matrix was used for the strategic assessment of the PM market segments.

Results and discussion. In 2025, the total Russian PM reached 152.6 bln rubles ($1.9 bln) and 393.4 mln packs. PM account for 6.2 % of the total pharmaceutical market in value and 8.6 % in volume terms, respectively. Domestic manufacturers lead the sales structure in volume (up to 80 %), while imported PM dominate in value (up to 57 %). The top 3 medicinal plants most frequently included in PM (in 2025) are Valeriana officinalis L., Mentha piperita L., and Glycyrrhiza spp. The herbal medicinal products (HMP) with individual compounds (IC) isolated from plant materials are widely presented on the market. Of these, more than 14 % are PM with alkaloids (morphine from Papaver somniferum L., pilocarpine from Pilocarpus pennatifolius Lem., atropine from Atropa belladonna L., platyphylline from Porella biedermannii Frank Müll., vinpocetine from Vinca minor L., and paclitaxel from Taxus spp.). By 2025, the average annual growth rate exceeded 8 % in monetary terms and 2 % in packages for alkaloid-based drugs. Considering classification by pharmacotherapeutic groups, bioflavonoids (HMP) based on diosmin, hesperidin, rutin, and their combinations) lead the market in monetary terms for 2025. Sleeping and sedatives PM are leaders in unit sales. Expectorants and respiratory medications hold second place in both monetary and packages terms. The promising niche of brown algae-based medicines (kelp) is also showing dynamic growth, with sales reaching 8.9 bln rubles. Among tonic PM, phytoadaptogens hold a significant position, with sales totaling 3.4 bln rubles in value and 38.7 mln packs in volume for the 2020–2025 period. The Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) for the PM market is +6 %. The category of homeopathic medicines, despite its minimal market share (1.6 %), is the most dynamic (CAGR +9 %). The category of combination drugs with PM ranks second in terms of sales (24.8 %) and 32.6 % of packages). The CAGR for this category is +3 % and the drivers with a CAGR of +12 % are PM with medicinal plant materials (MPM). The category of herbal medicines is growing by 8 % and is the clear leader in terms of packages sales (35.3 %). The herbal medicines category, while leading in terms of sales value (54.3 %), is showing moderate growth (CAGR +5 %). According to the BCG matrix estimate for 2020–2025, the only segment that occupies the "Star" position in the PM market structure is the HMP with IC (the segment accumulates 31.0 % of the total sales volume (RUB 249.2 bln) with a CAGR of 6 %). The "Cash Cows" category encompasses the largest number of segments, but the dominant positions are held by galenic HMP (tinctures, extracts, elixirs, juices, and syrups) with a CAGR of 5 % and HMP (CAGR of 8 %). Solid dosage forms predominate in the PM market, accounting for approximately 63 % by value and 44.1 % by packages. The share of tinctures and drops accounts for 13.1 % and 12.2 % in monetary terms and in packages, respectively.

Conclusion. A key direction for PM Industry development is to increase the share of locally produced drugs with high added value. The strategic priority for the development of the PMs market is to support the segments of HMPs with IC, galenic HMPs and plant-based medicines (PbM), as well as scaling the segments of combinations of combined medicine (CM) with MPM as the fastest growing.

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