324.6 billion – 2.57 billion boxes
Size of Turkish pharmaceuticals market as of December 2024.
USD 2.3 billion
Volume of Turkish pharmaceutical exports in 2023.
73
Number of accredited R&D centers in the Turkish life sciences industry as of August 2025.
2,420
Number of R&D employees in the Turkish pharmaceuticals industry as of 2024.
1,485.4%
Growth rate in Turkish pharmaceutical R&D spending between 2015-2023.
The healthcare sector and its related industries are considered to be of strategic importance in Türkiye. This is especially true when taking into consideration these industries’ social and economic impacts. Türkiye affirmed its commitment to healthcare reforms with the implementation of the Healthcare Transformation Program introduced in 2004 by the Ministry of Health. These reforms marked a significant improvement in Türkiye’s healthcare system, and they have been backed by investments in R&D and innovation in the healthcare sector.
In 2023, the value of the global pharmaceutical market reached USD 1.6 trillion, with Türkiye ranking at the 19th spot.
Some key facts and figures in the Turkish pharmaceuticals sector are as follows:
- In 2024, the Turkish pharmaceuticals market grew in value by 53.8 percent, reaching TRY 324.6 billion. Unit sales protected the line and hit 2.57 billion in the same year.
- Around 820 companies operate in the industry. As of the end of 2024, there are 109 pharmaceutical and radiopharmaceutical production facilities, 13 raw material production facilities and 6 herbal supplements and dietary food production facilities that meet the highest international standards.
- Among the 109 manufacturing facilities, 23 are owned by multinational companies.
- Among the 13 raw material production facilities, 3 are owned by multinational companies.
- The pharmaceutical industry employs almost 50,000 staff and provides over 14,300 products.
- Biotechnological products constituted 18.8 percent of prescription products with a value of TRY 60.9 billion across 40 million units in 2024.
- The biosimilar pharmaceutical market grew by 18.9 percent to a total of TRY 60.9 billion in 2024.
- The biosimilar drugs market grew by 45.1 percent to reach TRY 7.23 billion.
- Pharmaceutical exports, which stood at USD 995 million in 2017, surged by 121 percent to hit USD 2.3 billion in 2024.
- Turkish pharmaceutical manufacturers are exporting to more than 186 countries, including the EU, MENA, and CIS countries.
- Regulations in the sector are in line with EU directives.
Some key facts and figures in the Turkish medical devices sector include:
- The Turkish medical devices market size is USD 4.5 billion in 2024.
- The market is expected to grow by 57 percent in local currency terms in total between 2022-2027.
- The healthcare campus projects will cater to increasing demand in the sector over the next several years.
- The growing medical tourism sector, in which the number of tourists rose to 1,506,442 in 2024, and the total contribution to the Turkish economy was USD 3 billion.
- Medical device regulations are in line with EU directives.
