pharma

[ fahr-muh ]

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

/ ˈfɑːmə /

noun

1. pharmaceutical companies when considered together as an industry

Word History and Origins

Origin of pharma¹

First recorded in 1990–95; short for pharmaceutical

Example Sentences

But he has also adopted positions with popular support, scrutinising the use of food additives and urging that the power of big pharma be curbed.

From BBC

The coalition government had agreed not to call an election until the Finance Bill had passed, enacting tax cuts which capitalised on surplus corporation tax incomes from global tech and pharma groups.

From BBC

“They’re negotiated to a price that is affordable for patients, but also allows for plenty of pharma profit,” Merith Basey, executive director of Patients for Affordable Drugs, said at the press conference Wednesday.

From Salon

“By filing bogus patent listings, pharma companies block competition and inflate the cost of prescription drugs, forcing Americans to pay sky-high prices for medicines they rely on,” said FTC Chair Lina Khan, in a statement.

From Seattle Times

“I also want to end tax breaks for big pharma, big oil, private jets, massive executive pay,” he told Congress.

From Seattle Times