For retail sale medicaments with other antibiotics market in North Macedonia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for retail-packed antibiotics other than penicillins and streptomycins in North Macedonia expanded from 6.6 million dollars in 2018 to 11.6 million dollars in 2020. This growth was supported by regulatory amendments in neighboring Bulgaria affecting the prescription and dispensing of medicinal products, which influenced regional trade dynamics. During this period, domestic production rose steadily from 19.3 million to 31.6 million dollars.

After peaking in 2020, the local market size gradually contracted to 10.4 million dollars by 2022. Bulgaria's introduction of mixed electronic and paper dispensing for certain prescriptions in late 2022 further shaped cross-border accessibility. Subsequently, North Macedonian health authorities intensified scrutiny of antibiotic prescriptions in 2023, imposing penalties on family doctors who exceeded allowed quotas to curb irrational use and reduce healthcare costs.

A sharp market contraction followed in 2024, with the market size falling to 4.1 million dollars. This decline was driven by reinforced national controls on antibiotic prescribing aimed at reducing excessive consumption, compounded by supply-chain disruptions stemming from the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions in the region.

Production for retail sale medicaments with other antibiotics in North Macedonia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

North Macedonia's production of retail sale medicaments with other antibiotics has grown for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output reached 31 607 thousand US dollars, marking a 24.5% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 86.3%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 23.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in North Macedonia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports for retail sale medicaments with other antibiotics from North Macedonia

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, North Macedonia's exports of retail sale medicaments with other antibiotics declined. In 2020, export volume was 444.2 tonnes, down 15.7% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 28.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.7%. The peak volume occurred in 2019 at 526.8 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 27.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from North Macedonia in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the largest buyers of North Macedonia's retail sale medicaments with other antibiotics by volume were Serbia (23.1% of exports), Russia (20.3% of exports), and Slovenia (13.0% of exports). Together, these three countries accounted for 56.4% of total export volume.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from North Macedonia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

North Macedonia's exports of retail sale medicaments with other antibiotics in value terms have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export value stood at 29 375 thousand US dollars, showing a 25.0% advance over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 66.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 18.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from North Macedonia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In the 2017-2020 period, the leading destinations for North Macedonia's exports of retail sale medicaments with other antibiotics by value were Russia (23.6% of exports), Serbia (16.0% of exports), and Slovenia (15.9% of exports). Collectively, these countries represented 55.6% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from North Macedonia in value, 2017-2020

Imports for retail sale medicaments with other antibiotics to North Macedonia

Imports in kind, t

North Macedonia's imports of retail sale medicaments with other antibiotics by volume have risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 198.7 tonnes, reflecting a slight gain of 1.2% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 17%, corresponding to an annualized growth rate of 5.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to North Macedonia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Throughout 2017-2020, the key sources for North Macedonia's imports of retail sale medicaments with other antibiotics by volume were Serbia (20.9% of imports), Turkey (17.3% of imports), and India (16.4% of imports). Together, these three countries made up 54.7% of total import volume.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to North Macedonia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

North Macedonia's imports of retail sale medicaments with other antibiotics in value terms have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 9 344 thousand US dollars, up 10.9% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 4.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 7 361 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual decline of 17.9%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest annual increase of 14.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to North Macedonia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, North Macedonia imported retail sale medicaments with other antibiotics from many countries. Even the largest sources—Serbia, the United States, and India—together accounted for only 35.3% of total import value, indicating a diversified import structure.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to North Macedonia in value, 2017-2020