Baku, July 9 — Azerbaijan’s retail trade turnover reached 23.34 billion manats (approx. $13.7 billion) in the first five months of 2025, reflecting a 3.8% increase compared to the same period last year, according to a public statement by Member of Parliament Vugar Bayramov.
The figure represents total consumer purchases of goods and services across the country.
One of the most notable trends in the retail structure is a sharp rise in pharmaceutical and medical product spending, which surged 18.2% year-on-year, exceeding 598 million manats. Bayramov noted this was the fastest-growing segment in retail and the only category to record double-digit growth in consumer expenditures over the period.
“The increase in pharmaceutical spending reflects both rising prices for medicines and a growing demand for healthcare services,” Bayramov wrote on his official Facebook page.
Data from the State Statistics Committee show that prices for medical services rose by 4.5% during the same five-month span, alongside higher costs for various medical products — indicating that both demand and inflation are contributing factors.
Bayramov stressed that this trend could exert additional pressure on household budgets, particularly given the importance of affordable access to medication. While drug prices in Azerbaijan are state-regulated, the lawmaker emphasized the need for further optimization of consumer healthcare spending.
“Maintaining price stability is crucial,” Bayramov said. “This requires not only regulation, but also expanding domestic pharmaceutical production and reducing reliance on imports.”
The comments highlight the broader economic challenge of balancing inflation, public health needs, and consumer affordability in a market still largely dependent on imported medical goods.
