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.

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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

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Etymology

Origin of pharma

First recorded in 1990–95; short for pharmaceutical

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

pharma

Roche said sales grew 7% when excluding currency changes, with increases in both its pharma and diagnostics divisions.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 22, 2026

A recent rally in pharma stocks appears driven by investors shifting money between sectors, rather than by the industry’s fundamental attractions, the analysts say.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 20, 2026

The pharma giant is working on an experimental amylin drug to see if it can help people lose weight and manage their diabetes.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026

Bayer’s pharma business has been looking to expand in the U.S., betting that an enlarged presence in the world’s largest drug market can help it revive sales growth after two key products went off patent.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026

"We see a lot of the traditional big R&D spenders -- pharma, cars, construction -- cutting back on their R&D spend", he noted.

From Barron's ● Sep. 29, 2026

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