Poles shelling out on pharmaceutical drugs

During 2014, Poles spent PLN 27.3 billion (EUR 6.5 billion) on medicinal pills and syrups, up PLN 3.3 billion (EUR 790.6 million) on 2013, as cited by the Gazeta Wyborcza daily.

According to statistics PLN 11.4 billion (EUR 2.7 billion) was spent on drugs that do not need a prescription.

The rise in sales coincides with an increase in spending on advertising by pharmaceutical companies.

Data shows that in 2014, companies spent PLN 871 million (EUR 208.7 million) on advertising various forms of medicine, up 9 percent on 2013. (nh)

Source: Gazeta Wyborcza/PAP