Turkey’s pharmaceutical exports reached 1.82 billion USD in 2023, up 22% from the prior year. Imports rose to 4.5 billion USD in 2023, mainly for APIs and patented drugs. The resulting trade gap highlights where Turkey’s growth is strengthening export supply while import dependency remains in higher-value inputs.
Key Takeaways
- Turkey's pharmaceutical sector employed 85,000 people directly in 2023, up 5% from 2022
- Pharmaceutical exports from Turkey totaled 1.82 billion USD in 2023, up 22% from 2022
- In 2022, the Turkish pharmaceutical market reached a total value of approximately 5.8 billion USD, marking a 12.5% year-on-year growth driven by increased demand for generics and chronic disease treatments
- Turkey's pharma production capacity exceeded 100 billion units of tablets/capsules annually in 2023
- Turkey's pharma R&D expenditure reached 450 million USD in 2023, 7.5% of sales
Turkey’s pharmaceutical industry is expanding rapidly, driven by rising production, investment, and growing patient demand.
Related reading
01 · Category
Employment and Companies18 stats
01
Turkey's pharmaceutical sector employed 85,000 people directly in 2023, up 5% from 2022
02
There were 145 pharmaceutical manufacturers in Turkey in 2023, with 65 exporting firms
03
Top 10 pharma companies in Turkey held 55% market share in 2022, led by Deva Holding at 8.2%
04
Average salary in Turkish pharma industry was 25,000 TRY/month in 2023 for skilled workers
05
Women comprised 42% of the pharma workforce in Turkey 2023, higher in R&D at 55%
06
12,500 pharmacists employed in manufacturing in Turkey 2022
07
Sanovel Pharmaceuticals employed 2,200 staff in 2023, largest private employer
08
New hires in pharma sector Turkey totaled 6,200 in 2023, driven by expansion
09
R&D personnel in Turkish pharma reached 8,000 in 2023, 9% of total workforce
10
Allergan Turkey operations employed 1,500 in sales and distribution 2022
11
Pharma SMEs in Turkey numbered 90 in 2023, employing 25,000 total
12
Turnover per employee in Turkish pharma was 120,000 USD in 2022
13
Novartis Turkey had 2,800 employees in 2023, focusing on oncology
14
Training hours per employee in pharma Turkey averaged 45 hours/year in 2023
15
Pfizer Turkey workforce was 1,900 in 2022, with 20% in manufacturing
16
Labor productivity growth in pharma sector Turkey was 7.2% in 2023
17
Abdi Ibrahim, top Turkish firm, employed 12,000 across group in 2023
18
Unemployment rate in pharma was 2.1% in Turkey 2023, below national average
Interpretation
Employment and Companies Interpretation
Turkey’s pharmaceutical sector is a robust and growing field, where a relatively small but highly productive army of 85,000 people—significantly led by women in innovation—creates a bustling export market, all while enjoying a enviable 2.1% unemployment rate that makes the rest of the economy rather enviously sniffle.
02 · Category
Exports and Imports18 stats
01
Pharmaceutical exports from Turkey totaled 1.82 billion USD in 2023, up 22% from 2022
02
Turkey's pharma imports were 4.5 billion USD in 2023, mainly APIs and patented drugs
03
In 2022, Turkey exported pharma to 160 countries, with 25% to MENA region
04
Generic drug exports from Turkey reached 1.1 billion USD in 2023, 60% of total pharma exports
05
Pharma exports to EU countries were 450 million USD in 2022, compliant with EMA standards
06
Turkey imported 1.2 billion USD in APIs in 2023, 70% from India and China
07
Vaccine exports from Turkey hit 120 million USD in 2023, mainly to Africa and Balkans
08
Oncology drug exports grew 35% to 280 million USD in 2022 Turkey
09
Trade balance deficit in pharma for Turkey was 2.68 billion USD in 2023
10
Exports of OTC products from Turkey were 250 million USD in 2023, 14% growth
11
Pharma imports from Germany to Turkey totaled 650 million USD in 2022
12
Turkey's pharma export growth rate to CIS countries was 28% in 2023, valued at 300 million USD
13
Biopharma exports from Turkey reached 80 million USD in 2023, doubling from 2021
14
Import of biologics to Turkey was 350 million USD in 2022, 80% patented
15
Turkey pharma exports to USA were 45 million USD in 2023 via FDA-approved plants
16
Annual pharma trade volume (export+import) in Turkey exceeded 6.3 billion USD in 2023
17
Pharma exports per company in Turkey averaged 15 million USD in 2022 for top 100 exporters
18
Import dependency for innovative drugs in Turkey was 95% in 2023
Interpretation
Exports and Imports Interpretation
Turkey is rapidly becoming a global pharmacy for generics while running a hefty tab on the innovative drugs it needs, painting a picture of a clever understudy still reliant on the scriptwriters.
03 · Category
Market Size and Value20 stats
01
In 2022, the Turkish pharmaceutical market reached a total value of approximately 5.8 billion USD, marking a 12.5% year-on-year growth driven by increased demand for generics and chronic disease treatments
02
The over-the-counter (OTC) medicines segment in Turkey accounted for 18% of the total pharma market in 2023, valued at around 1.1 billion USD with a CAGR of 9.2% from 2018-2023
03
Prescription drugs dominated 82% of Turkey's pharmaceutical sales in 2022, totaling 4.76 billion USD, primarily oncology and cardiovascular categories
04
Turkey's pharma retail market grew by 15.3% in 2023 to 6.2 billion USD, influenced by inflation and higher drug prices
05
The hospital segment represented 35% of the Turkish pharma market in 2022, valued at 2.03 billion USD with biologics growing at 20% annually
06
Generic drugs comprised 65% of Turkey's pharma volume in 2023 but only 40% of value due to price controls
07
Turkey's pharma market per capita spending was 68 USD in 2022, up from 55 USD in 2020
08
The antidiabetic drug market in Turkey was valued at 450 million USD in 2023, growing 14% YoY due to rising diabetes prevalence
09
Oncology pharmaceuticals in Turkey reached 680 million USD in 2022, with a projected CAGR of 11.8% to 2028
10
Turkey's vaccine market size was 320 million USD in 2023, boosted by COVID-19 procurement at 25% growth
11
Cardiovascular drugs held 22% market share in Turkey's pharma sector in 2022, valued at 1.28 billion USD
12
The Turkish CNS therapeutics market was 410 million USD in 2023, with antidepressants growing fastest at 16% CAGR
13
Respiratory drugs market in Turkey valued 280 million USD in 2022, up 13% due to asthma and COPD prevalence
14
Pain management pharma segment in Turkey reached 195 million USD in 2023, opioids at 12% growth
15
Dermatological drugs market size was 150 million USD in Turkey 2022, with biologics emerging at 18% CAGR
16
Gastroenterology pharma in Turkey valued 220 million USD in 2023, IBD treatments leading growth
17
Hormonal replacement therapy market in Turkey was 85 million USD in 2022, growing 10.5% YoY
18
Ophthalmology drugs segment valued 110 million USD in 2023 Turkey, anti-VEGF at high growth
19
Turkey's anti-infectives market was 750 million USD in 2022, antibiotics 60% share
20
Immunology drugs in Turkey reached 290 million USD in 2023, rheumatoid arthritis key driver
Interpretation
Market Size and Value Interpretation
Despite a hefty dose of price controls keeping generic costs down, Turkey's prescription-driven pharmaceutical market is experiencing strong, symptom-specific growth as chronic diseases and high-priced hospital biologics push the value upward while inflation makes the headache worse for everyone.
More related reading
04 · Category
Production and Capacity18 stats
01
Turkey's pharma production capacity exceeded 100 billion units of tablets/capsules annually in 2023
02
In 2022, Turkey produced 45 billion tablets and 12 billion capsules for domestic and export markets
03
Biopharmaceutical production in Turkey grew to 150 million units in 2023, with 5 new facilities operational
04
Turkey's API (active pharmaceutical ingredient) local production covered 35% of domestic needs in 2023, up from 25% in 2020
05
Vaccine production capacity in Turkey reached 500 million doses per year by 2023, including influenza and HPV
06
Sterile injectables production in Turkey was 8 billion units in 2022, 40% for export
07
Turkey manufactured 2.5 billion syrups and oral liquids in 2023, with pediatric formulations at 30% share
08
Suppository production volume hit 1.2 billion units in Turkey 2022, growing 8% YoY
09
Cream and ointment production reached 900 million tubes in 2023 Turkey, dermatology focus
10
Turkey's pharma factories numbered 128 active sites in 2023, producing 98% of domestic consumption
11
Local production met 92% of Turkey's antibiotic needs in 2022, reducing import dependency
12
Oncology drug local manufacturing covered 55% of market in 2023 Turkey, generics dominant
13
Turkey's biosimilar production started with 3 products in 2023, capacity 20 million units/year
14
Packaging material production for pharma in Turkey was 5 billion units in 2022, blister packs 70%
15
Quality compliance rate for Turkish pharma production was 98.5% under GMP standards in 2023 audits
16
Turkey invested 250 million USD in new pharma production lines in 2023, focusing on high-tech injectables
17
Annual production of generics in Turkey exceeded 80% of total volume in 2022
18
Turkey's pharma R&D labs produced 15 new formulations in 2023
Interpretation
Production and Capacity Interpretation
While Turkey's pharmaceutical industry has impressively scaled to over 100 billion tablets and a half-billion vaccine doses, its true strength lies in the strategic alchemy of turning a 98.5% quality compliance rate into greater self-sufficiency, from covering 92% of its antibiotic needs to pioneering high-tech biosimilars.
05 · Category
R&D Investment and Regulation21 stats
01
Turkey's pharma R&D expenditure reached 450 million USD in 2023, 7.5% of sales
02
25 new drug approvals by TITCK in 2023, including 8 biosimilars
03
Pharma patent applications in Turkey totaled 1,200 in 2022, 40% local origin
04
Government incentives for pharma R&D were 150 million TRY in 2023 via KOSGEB/TUBITAK
05
Clinical trials registered in Turkey pharma reached 180 in 2023, phase III 45%
06
Price erosion for off-patent drugs averaged 40% under Turkey's reference pricing in 2022
07
FDI in Turkish pharma was 300 million USD in 2023, mainly in manufacturing
08
15% VAT exemption on pharma exports continued in 2023 regulation
09
TITCK conducted 450 GMP inspections in 2023, 95% compliance rate
10
Biosimilar approval pathway streamlined in 2023, reducing time to 12 months
11
Pharma reimbursement coverage in Turkey was 85% of market in 2023 via SGK
12
R&D tax credits for pharma firms reached 80 million USD claimed in 2022
13
6 new pharma clusters established in Turkey by 2023, Istanbul leading
14
Generic substitution rate mandated at 85% in prescriptions 2023 Turkey
15
Investment in digital pharma tracking (ITS) cost 50 million USD in 2023 upgrades
16
Turkey joined PIC/S GMP scheme in 2023, enhancing international recognition
17
Antibiotic stewardship regulations reduced usage by 15% in hospitals 2022-2023
18
Pharma innovation fund allocated 100 million TRY in 2023 for startups
19
Regulatory approval time for generics averaged 6 months in Turkey 2023
20
20% of pharma sales under positive list reimbursement in 2023
21
Local clinical trial centers grew to 50 in 2023, capacity 5,000 patients/year
Interpretation
R&D Investment and Regulation Interpretation
While Turkey's pharmaceutical industry buzzes with promising R&D sprouts and regulatory streamlining, it remains firmly rooted in the pragmatic soil of generics, cost containment, and manufacturing might, walking the tightrope between future innovation and present affordability.
report visual · Key figures
Key pharma workforce KPIs (Turkey)
Women make up a large share of the pharma workforce (with even higher representation in R&D), while R&D personnel account for about one-tenth of total staffing.
42%
Women comprised 42% of the pharma workforce in Turkey 2023, higher in R&D at 55%
9%
R&D personnel in Turkish pharma reached 8,000 in 2023, 9% of total workforce
5%
Turkey's pharmaceutical sector employed 85,000 people directly in 2023, up 5% from 2022
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Helena Kowalczyk. (2026, February 13). Turkey Pharmaceutical Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/turkey-pharmaceutical-industry-statistics
MLA
Helena Kowalczyk. "Turkey Pharmaceutical Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/turkey-pharmaceutical-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Helena Kowalczyk. 2026. "Turkey Pharmaceutical Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/turkey-pharmaceutical-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
69 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level