Pharmacies - Australia | Statista Market Forecast

The Pharmacies market in Australia is projected to reach a revenue of AU US$20.02bn in 2024.
It is expected to exhibit an annual growth rate (CAGR 2024-2029) of 4.63%, leading to a market volume of AU US$25.09bn by 2029.
When compared globally, United States is anticipated to generate the highest revenue of US$387.30bn in 2024.
In terms of per capita revenue, in Australia is estimated to generate AU US$749.60 per person in 2024.
The Australian pharmacy market is experiencing a rise in demand for natural and holistic health products.

Definition:
Pharmacies are physical or digital places where mainly pharmaceuticals and medical products are sold. Additionally, they also sell other items that are generally found in a pharmacy, such as food supplements, cosmetic products, and other health-related goods. A large proportion of pharmaceuticals are only available on prescription; the rest of the product range of pharmacies is sold over the counter (OTC). Besides selling products, pharmacies also advise customers, inform them about undesirable effects of the products, and detect possible interactions with other medicines.

Structure:
The Pharmacies market consists of two markets: Prescriptions Drugs and OTC Products. The Prescription Drugs market covers all products – mainly pharmaceuticals – that are only available on prescription. The OTC Products market comprises all products that are sold over the counter (OTC), including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and other items that are generally found in a pharmacy.

Additional information:
The KPIs shown include revenue, revenue growth, average revenue per pharmacy, average revenue per capita, number of pharmacies, pharmacy density, users, and the online sales share for the OTC Products market. Revenues are generated through offline and online spending by (B2C) consumers and include VAT. B2B and B2G sales as well as other pharmaceutical sales through hospitals or retail stores, such as supermarkets, are not included.
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Prescription pharmaceuticals
Prescription medical products
OTC pharmaceuticals
OTC medical products
Pharmacy-usual items

Services such as vaccinations
Sales through hospitals or retail stores

The Pharmacies market in Australia has been experiencing significant growth in recent years, driven by various factors such as changing customer preferences, emerging trends, local special circumstances, and underlying macroeconomic factors.

Customer preferences: Customers in Australia are increasingly seeking convenience and accessibility when it comes to healthcare services. This has led to a growing preference for pharmacies that offer extended hours of operation, online ordering and delivery services, and a wide range of products and services. Customers also value personalized and expert advice from pharmacists, which has contributed to the rise of professional services offered by pharmacies, such as medication management and health consultations.

Trends in the market: One of the key trends in the Australian Pharmacies market is the increasing focus on holistic health and wellness. Pharmacies are expanding their product offerings to include a wide range of vitamins, supplements, natural health products, and alternative medicines. This trend is driven by the growing consumer interest in preventative healthcare and self-care. Additionally, there has been a shift towards a more holistic approach to healthcare, with pharmacies offering complementary services such as naturopathy, nutrition advice, and weight management programs. Another trend in the market is the integration of technology. Pharmacies are increasingly adopting digital solutions to enhance customer experience and streamline operations. This includes online platforms for ordering prescription medications and health products, digital health records, and automated dispensing systems. The use of technology not only improves convenience for customers but also enables pharmacies to better manage inventory, track patient data, and provide personalized healthcare services.

Local special circumstances: Australia has a unique healthcare system that plays a significant role in shaping the Pharmacies market. The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) provides subsidized prescription medications to Australian residents, making them more affordable and accessible. This has created a high demand for pharmacies as a primary point of access to prescription medications. Additionally, the community pharmacy ownership regulations in Australia restrict the ownership of pharmacies to registered pharmacists, ensuring that the majority of pharmacies are locally owned and operated.

Underlying macroeconomic factors: The Australian economy has been relatively stable in recent years, with steady economic growth and low unemployment rates. This has contributed to increased consumer spending on healthcare products and services, including pharmaceuticals. The aging population in Australia is also driving demand for healthcare services, as older individuals require more medications and health-related products. Furthermore, the government's focus on healthcare initiatives and policies, such as the promotion of preventative healthcare and the expansion of primary healthcare services, has further supported the growth of the Pharmacies market. In conclusion, the Pharmacies market in Australia is experiencing growth due to changing customer preferences, emerging trends, local special circumstances, and underlying macroeconomic factors. The focus on convenience, holistic health, and technology, along with the unique healthcare system and favorable economic conditions, are driving the development and expansion of the market.

Data coverage:

The data encompasses B2C enterprises. Figures are based on offline and online spending by consumers, including VAT. Not included are B2B and B2G sales, or other pharmaceutical sales through hospitals or retail stores such as supermarkets.

Modeling approach:

Market sizes are determined through a bottom-up approach, building on specific predefined factors for each market market. As a basis for evaluating markets, we use industry associations, third-party studies and reports and survey results from our primary research (e.g., the Statista Global Consumer Survey). In addition, we use relevant key market indicators and data from country-specific associations, such as healthcare expenditure per country, consumer healthcare spending, GDP and internet penetration. This data helps us estimate the market size for each country individually.

Forecasts:

In our forecasts, we apply diverse forecasting techniques. The selection of forecasting techniques is based on the behavior of the relevant market. For example, forecasts are based on historical developments, current trends, and key market indicators, using advanced statistical methods. For forecasting digital trends such as the online-pharmacy sales share we use exponential trend smoothing and the s-curve method. The main drivers are healthcare expenditure per country and consumer healthcare spending.

Additional notes:

The data is modeled using current exchange rates. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war are considered at a country-specific level. The market is updated twice a year. GCS data is reweighted for representativeness.

This report presents a comprehensive analysis and additional information on the Health market, in a PDF format.

The global online pharmacy sector was estimated at 32 billion U.S. dollars by the end of 2023. In the United States, forecasts indicate that this figure would reach approximately 5.7 billion, solidifying its position as one of the largest online pharmacy markets. However, China dominates the pharma e-commerce industry worldwide, generating nearly 8.5 billion dollars in revenue. With China at the forefront, it is no wonder digital pharmacies make up the fastest-growing segment in the Asian digital health market.