During the first three weeks of September (weeks 36, 37th, and 38th weeks of 2026), Russian pharmaceutical retailers sold 5.7 million packages of antiviral drugs worth 3.4 billion rubles, according to calculations by Kommersant based on data from the DSM Group. Compared with the previous three weeks, sales rose by 59% in value and 66% in volume. However, year-over-year, the figures fell by 15% in value and 20% in volume.

The trend is similar in the segment of symptomatic cold remedies. During the first three weeks of September 2026, 4.15 million packages were sold for 2.28 billion rubles. By August, sales had jumped 81% in value and 75% in units, but on a year-over-year basis, they fell by 3.5% and 14%, respectively.

The surge in sales of antiviral and symptomatic cold medications marked the expected start of the season for acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI), the flu, and COVID-19. According to Rospotrebnadzor, from September 14 to 20, the incidence rate rose by 33.8% over the week, reaching 734,000 cases.

For more details, see the Kommersant article “The Flu Has Become Cheaper.”

The September surge in demand does not mean that the seasonal peak has already passed or been reached. In May 2026, the decline in sales in the segment was attributed to the fact that the peak of influenza and ARVI cases in that season occurred in December; earlier, in November 2025, it was noted that seasonal peaks in acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI) were shifting and becoming less pronounced.

Consumer behavior also influences demand: according to estimates by pharmaceutical market participants, consumers have become more frugal, are more often limiting treatment to acute and chronic conditions, are tolerating mild symptoms, and are reducing their purchases of over-the-counter medications. Therefore, an increase in incidence may boost current sales but will not offset the more restrained consumption compared to last year.