This is a best prospect industry sector for this country. Includes a market overview and trade data.
Last Published: 2/19/2019

Overview
Slovenia’s pharmaceutical market is very competitive.  Once dominated by two local domestic generic producers, the market is now increasingly open to competition from foreign competitors.  Innovative drug producers enjoyed favorable market conditions in Slovenia until 2007, when the government decreased spending on pharmaceuticals.  Since then, the government has changed its pharmaceutical purchase process, worsening the position of established pharmaceutical companies.  According to the Slovenian National Institute of Public Health, Slovenia spent approximately EUR 484 million on pharmaceuticals in 2017.  Each Slovenian spends an average of EUR 230.44 each year to purchase an average of 8.31 prescription medications.

The Ministry of Health is the primary actor in Slovenia’s pharmaceutical market.  The ministry develops health care policies, proposes the government’s health care budget, and monitors spending in the national health care fund, with an eye toward keeping medical costs as low as possible.  Slovenia has introduced therapeutic reference pricing schemes similar to those of other EU member states, which have made market conditions difficult for producers of brand-name pharmaceuticals. 
Experts forecast four percent annual growth for the pharmaceutical market over the next two years, despite downward pressure on certain therapeutic products.  Almost three quarters of all pharmaceuticals approved for sale in Slovenia are imported, accounting for nearly 16 percent of total health care spending.  Around 70 percent of health care spending is publicly financed, and international comparisons shows that drug consumption in Slovenia is higher than EU average and growing by 1.5 percent per year.  Increased life expectancies and the growth in private health care insurance are expected to have a positive impact on the market.

Slovenia’s premier research institution, the Jozef Stefan Institute, is very involved in chemical and pharmaceutical research and development, including therapeutic nanotechnology and biotechnology products. 

Unit: EUR millions2014201520162017 (Estimated)
Total Local Production1,5501,5001,5001,600
Total Exports1,3901,3801,3401,400
Total Imports390320320300
Imports from the US
 		235240220220
Total Market Size550520480500
Exchange Rates1.111.111.111.11
(Source: Statistical Office of Slovenia, National Institute of Public Health)

Leading Sub-Sectors
Sub-Sector Best Prospects
  • Drugs for cardiovascular illnesses
  • Branded products for cancer treatments
  • Pharmaceuticals for psychotherapy
  • AIDS medications
  • Vitamins

Opportunities
The best prospects for American-made pharmaceutical companies are in the fields of cancer medications, cardiovascular medications, and bio-technologically-produced medications.

Web Resources
Ministry of Health, Štefanova 5, SI- 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
E-mail: gp.mz@gov.si   
Agency for Drugs and Medical Devices, Ptujska 21, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
E-mail: info@jazmp.si  
National Institute of Public Health, Trubarjeva 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
E-mail: info@nijz.si
Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia, Dimiceva 13, 1504 Ljubljana, Slovenia E-mail: info@gzs.si

U.S. Commercial Service
Mirjana Rabič, Economic Commercial Specialist
Phone: +386 1 200 5500
Fax: +386 1 200 5555
E-mail: DoingBusinessinSlovenia@state.gov


 
 

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.