On changes in the financial stability of leaders in the pharmaceutical industry during the pandemic period

The coronavirus pandemic that began in 2020, despite all the difficulties and negative consequences, has become a development driver for the country’s pharmaceutical industry, since in the face of epidemiological challenges there has been a significant increase in demand for many types of medicines and related pharmaceutical products, as well as new types of manufactured products - specific vaccines against COVID-19. In the course of the study, a comparative assessment of changes in financial stability among the TOP-10 leaders of the pharmaceutical industry in Russia in the period before and after the start of the pandemic is carried out, current trends and their consequences are identified. It has been established that the financial position of the country’s largest pharmaceutical manufacturers, both in 2019 and 2021, was ambiguous, despite the high results of production and economic activity. This is due to the fact that the outbreak of the pandemic has significantly increased the demand for pharmaceutical products from the population and the healthcare industry, thereby ensuring the growth of revenue for pharmaceutical manufacturers. However, the financial position of the leaders of the pharmaceutical industry cannot be called stable due to the high debt burden, including through short-term borrowings. Among the considered enterprises, the most favorable financial situation is characterized by Generium JSC, Biocad JSC and Akrikhin ChemFarm Plant JSC.