pharma

American  

[fahr-muh] / ˈfɑr mə /

noun

1. a pharmaceutical company or pharmaceutical companies considered collectively.

   He works for pharma.

2. Usually pharmaceutical companies considered collectively, especially with reference to their political and commercial influence.

   Pharma is expanding into China, hoping to replace local remedies with manufactured drugs.

---

adjective

1. of or relating to pharmaceutical companies or the pharmaceutical industry.

   Pharma reps don't sell directly to doctors.

pharma British  

/ ˈfɑːmə /

noun

1. pharmaceutical companies when considered together as an industry

---

Etymology

Origin of pharma

First recorded in 1990–95; short for pharmaceutical

Example Sentences

Nurix said Monday that it had struck a licensing and collaboration deal with the Swiss pharma giant to develop bexobrutideg, an oral treatment for various types of blood cancers.

From Barron's • Jun. 8, 2026

The University of Oxford and the pharma company Moderna are also researching vaccines against the Bundibugyo species.

From BBC • Jun. 1, 2026

Partnership strategy has produced great pharma bargains—and left the company exposed.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026

It will help strengthen trade and business ties while opening doors in technology, life sciences, pharma, logistic, AI and financial services, he notes.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

One of the treatments, an antiviral called remdesivir made by US pharma firm Gilead, has been tested on humans for the Zaire Ebola strain, but not for Bundibugyo.

From Barron's • May 19, 2026