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Pharmacies - Europe

Europe
  • In Europe, the revenue in the Pharmacies market is forecasted to reach US$357.88bn in 2025.
  • The market is expected to experience a steady annual growth rate (CAGR 2025-2029) of 3.10%, leading to a market volume of US$404.35bn by 2029.
  • When compared globally, United States is projected to generate the highest revenue of US$403.08bn in 2025.
  • In terms of per person revenue, US$424.13 is generated in 2025.
  • In Germany, pharmacies are experiencing a rise in demand for herbal medicine and natural remedies.

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.
For more information on the data displayed, use the info button next to the boxes.

In-Scope
  • Prescription pharmaceuticals
  • Prescription medical products
  • OTC pharmaceuticals
  • OTC medical products
  • Pharmacy-usual items
Out-Of-Scope
  • Services such as vaccinations
  • Sales through hospitals or retail stores
Pharmacies: market data & analysis - Cover

Market Insights report

Pharmacies: market data & analysis
CONTENTBOX_CAPTION_STUDY_DETAILS

    Revenue

    NOTES: Data was converted from local currencies using average exchange rates of the respective year.

    MOST_RECENT_UPDATE: Jun 2024

    SOURCE: Statista Market Insights

    MOST_RECENT_UPDATE: Jun 2024

    SOURCE: Statista Market Insights

    Users

    MOST_RECENT_UPDATE: Mar 2024

    SOURCE: Statista Consumer Insights Global

    Volume

    MOST_RECENT_UPDATE: Jun 2024

    SOURCE: Statista Market Insights

    Analyst Opinion

    The Pharmacies market in Europe has been experiencing significant growth in recent years, driven by various factors such as changing customer preferences, emerging trends in the market, local special circumstances, and underlying macroeconomic factors. Customer preferences in the Pharmacies market in Europe have been shifting towards convenience and accessibility. Customers are increasingly looking for pharmacies that offer a wide range of products and services, including over-the-counter medications, prescription drugs, health and wellness products, and personalized advice from pharmacists. This trend is driven by the growing awareness of the importance of self-care and preventive healthcare, as well as the increasing demand for convenience in healthcare services. Trends in the market include the expansion of online pharmacies and the integration of technology in traditional brick-and-mortar pharmacies. Online pharmacies provide customers with the convenience of ordering medications and healthcare products from the comfort of their homes, while also offering competitive prices and a wide range of products. This trend has been further accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has increased the demand for contactless shopping options. Additionally, traditional pharmacies are adopting digital solutions such as mobile apps and online appointment booking systems to enhance the customer experience and improve efficiency. Local special circumstances also play a role in shaping the Pharmacies market in Europe. Each country has its own regulations and policies regarding the sale and distribution of medications, which can impact the market dynamics. For example, some countries have strict regulations on the sale of prescription drugs, requiring customers to obtain a prescription from a healthcare professional before purchasing certain medications. This can create opportunities for pharmacies to provide additional services such as medication counseling and adherence programs. Underlying macroeconomic factors, such as population growth, aging demographics, and increasing healthcare expenditure, also contribute to the development of the Pharmacies market in Europe. The aging population in Europe has led to a higher demand for healthcare services, including medications and healthcare products, which has driven the growth of the pharmacy sector. Additionally, increasing healthcare expenditure by governments and individuals has resulted in higher spending on medications and healthcare products, further fueling the growth of the market. In conclusion, the Pharmacies market in Europe is developing in response to changing customer preferences, emerging trends, local special circumstances, and underlying macroeconomic factors. The shift towards convenience and accessibility, the expansion of online pharmacies, the integration of technology, and the impact of local regulations and policies are all contributing to the growth of the market. Additionally, population growth, aging demographics, and increasing healthcare expenditure are driving the demand for pharmacy services in Europe.

    Global Comparison

    MOST_RECENT_UPDATE: Jun 2024

    SOURCE: Statista Market Insights

    Methodology

    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.

    Health

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    Pharmacies: market data & analysis - BackgroundPharmacies: market data & analysis - Cover

    Key Market Indicators

    NOTES: Based on data from IMF, World Bank, UN and Eurostat

    MOST_RECENT_UPDATE: Jan 2025

    SOURCE: Statista Market Insights

    OUTLOOK_EXPLORE_RELATED_TOPICS

    Pharma e-commerce – statistics & facts

    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.
    OUTLOOK_MORE_DATA_ON_TOPIC

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