Summary

The global pharmaceuticals market has grown significantly, increasing by 12% in 2021 to over $1,400 billion, and is expected to reach $2,067 billion by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.70%.

In France, pharmacies have adapted to digitalization and diversified their offerings within pharmacy groups. Pharmacists' remuneration has been reformed to introduce new dispensing fees to cope with the impact of falling drug prices. The United States continues to dominate global sales, with a 40.8% share in 2021, while France ranks second in Europe for the number of pharmacies.

During the pandemic, French pharmacists were authorized to administer Covid-19 vaccines, reinforcing their role in healthcare. Despite these advances, problems such as regular pharmacy closures in France and the risk of stock-outs for certain drugs have been noted, with reports of stock-outs or risk of stock-outs increasing in 2022, twice as much as in 2021. The e-parapharmacy sector, in particular, has seen significant growth, reflecting a move towards new distribution channels.

The French pharmacy market is changing: adapting to new demands and digitization

The French pharmacy market, an essential link in the healthcare distribution chain, has witnessed a significant transformation in recent years, particularly accentuated by the health crisis. Deeply rooted in traditional practices, French pharmacies have seen a sharp increase in demand, with market sales rising by around 20% in three years, from around €40 billion to almost €50 billion by 2022.

French consumers have established a unique bond with pharmacies, demonstrating great trust and loyalty, particularly among the elderly and those with health problems. The data suggest that this loyalty tends to fade slightly among younger people and those living further away from a pharmacy, indicating a potential area for market diversification and digital engagement strategies. On the digital front, French pharmacies are gradually integrating technology into their business models. This is because consumers are increasingly ready to adopt digital health solutions. The use of online platforms could enable pharmacies to extend their reach, particularly among the population that has not yet fully embraced the traditional pharmacy model.

The French pharmaceutical landscape has also been shaped by regulatory reforms aimed at supporting pharmacy profitability in a context of falling drug prices. One notable intervention has been the introduction of dispensing fees, structured to offset declining sales margins and support pharmacies' long-term financial health. In line with global pharmaceutical trends and changing patient behavior, demand for certain drugs in France is becoming more targeted. The concentration of sales around a select group of drugs is increasing, with the 100 top-selling drugs by value accounting for almost half of total sales.

Despite strong confidence in the pharmacy network, the French population is concerned about frequent stock-outs of medicines, a situation that could be exacerbated by the focus on the most popular pharmaceutical products. To remedy this situation, pharmacies could benefit from diversifying their stocks and strengthening the resilience of their supply chain. In addition, recent years have seen remarkable growth in online parapharmacy, an online sales segment comprising over-the-counter health and wellness products.

While the traditional pharmacy sector is catching up, platforms such as Santé Discount received a boost during the health crisis, signalling a sector ripe for innovation and development.

The French pharmacy market, like its international counterparts, is in the throes of change and facing up to new consumer expectations.

A dynamic group of market influencers in the French pharmacy sector

The French pharmacy market is a diverse ecosystem made up of key players, each of whom plays a crucial role in facilitating consumer access to medicines and related healthcare products. These players range from pharmaceutical laboratories to wholesaler-distributors, pharmacies, cooperatives and pharmacy chains, as well as regulatory bodies and government institutions. This complex structure not only keeps the market competitive and innovative, but also ensures compliance with regulatory requirements, putting patient safety and care first.

Here is an overview of the main market players presented in the previous text:

Pharmaceutical laboratories: Among the most important players in the drug supply chain, these entities are responsible for the discovery, development and manufacture of medicines. They are at the heart of innovation in the pharmaceutical sector. Renowned laboratories such as Sanofi, Pfizer, Bayer and Novartis are outstanding representatives, not only in France but worldwide. Their cutting-edge research and development efforts enable the development of effective medicines, including such best-selling drugs as Eliquis, Xarelto, Lucentis, Doliprane and Ibrance, which are essential for the treatment of a wide range of conditions.
Wholesaler-distributors: These are the intermediaries between pharmaceutical companies and pharmacies. They play an essential role in the efficient distribution of medicines throughout the country. Wholesaler-distributors optimize the supply chain by buying in bulk from various manufacturers and supplying these goods to pharmacies in a timely and orderly fashion, ensuring that stock levels are always maintained.
French government and regulatory bodies: The French government and institutions such as regional health agencies work in harmony to oversee the pharmacy market. They establish regulations that dictate how medicines are to be sold, distributed and consumed, ensuring that public health remains a top priority. The French government has played a key role in restructuring healthcare, notably by reforming the pharmacy remuneration model.
Pharmacies and pharmacy chains: Local pharmacies are at the forefront of healthcare provision in France. They are not just commercial entities, but also health centers where pharmacists provide essential healthcare services such as analysis, dispensing and advice. The expansion of pharmacy chains and the grouping of pharmacies into cooperatives serve a dual purpose: better price negotiation and the creation of common brand identities that meet the needs of a diverse consumer base. These groupings encourage the development of unique offers and better marketing strategies.
Digital platforms and online pharmacy services: The digital transformation of the pharmacy market is an emerging trend.

the pharmacy market - France

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Number of pages : 30 pages
Format : Digital and PDF versions
Last update : 06/11/2023

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Summary and extracts

1 Market overview

1.1 Definition and scope of study

Pharmacies are physical outlets for the sale of medicines and body care products. Pharmacy is the specialty that brings together pharmacists working in these places, intermediaries in distribution to the public.

The players involved in the French pharmacy market are pharmaceutical laboratories, wholesaler-distributors, the French government, regional health agencies, pharmacies and groups of pharmacy chains.

The global market for drugs at producer prices is growing rapidly. According to IQVIA, it has grown by over 12% in 2021, to exceed $1,400 billion. It is expected to continue to grow at a CAGR of 5.70% over the period 2022-2028, reaching $2,067 billion in 2028. [GlobeNewswire]. This growth is particularly evident in global spending by the pharmaceutical industry, which has been rising steadily since the pandemic. On a European scale, France ranks second in terms of the number of pharmacies(21,760 in 2022), behind Spain and ahead of Germany.

The French market has been undergoing major restructuring since the health crisis.Growing since 2015, it has seen a particularly sharp increase post-health crisis, with market sales rising from €39.77 billion in 2019 to €47.808 billion in 2022, representing a 20% increase in3 years . Since the outbreak of the coronavirus, pharmacists' dispensaries have been called upon to help on the anti-pandemic front, whether for advice, tests or vaccines. [Insee]

Today, pharmacies are gradually moving towards digitizing their processes. Customers seem ready to give pharmacists a greater role in looking after their health.

Finally, the traditionally standardized offering is beginning to diversify, notably within pharmacist groups. These cooperatives now have a dual mission: to negotiate competitive prices with wholesalers and laboratories, but also to develop brands with shared values, with a view to creating a brand image and a unique offering.

Another complex issue is the remuneration of pharmacists, threatened by falling drug prices. A reform of pharmacy remuneration has therefore been put in place between 2018 and 2020 to protect the profession by introducing three new dispensingfees per prescription, which can be added together to compensate for the drop in sales margins.

2 Demand analysis

3 Market structure

4 Offer analysis

5 Regulations

6 Positioning the players

6.1 Segmentation: groups and chains

Giphar groupe
Pharmactiv (OCP Group)
Alphega Pharmacie
Giropharm
Leader Sante Groupe
Tanguy Parapharmacie
Arkopharma
BERGLAND PHARMA GMBH & CO. KG
Sanofi Aventis
Novartis
Hygie 31- Laf Santé
Elsie Santé
Pharmacorp (Hygie 31 groupe)
Leader Price
Pharmabest
Sephora
Aprium Pharmacie - Healthy Group
OCP Répartition (Phoenix Group)
Phoenix Pharma
Pharmony
Apsara
Pharma Santé Développement
La cooperative Welcoop
Global Pharmacie
Aelia
Cofisanté
Eurodep
Agir Pharma
APM Les Pharmacies de Méditérannée
Apothéo
Apothical
Apothicoop
APP Côte d'azur
Aptiphar
Artesipharm
Artisan Santé
ASPIC
Avenir Pharma
Be Pharma
Boticinal
Bretagne Santé Référence
Cali Pharma
Cap unipharm
Cercle des Pharmaciens Coopérateurs
Coté Pharma
Dephie
DL santé
DPGS
DPO Groupe
Dynamis
Elfimaje Majelis
Escale santé
Evolupharm
Farmax
Flexi Plus Pharma
Forum santé
G Plus Pharma
GFC Pharma
Gripamel
Groupapharm
Happy Pharmacie
Hello Pharmacie
Lab Officine
Le Gall santé Services
Les Pharmaciens d'armor
Magdaléon
Maxipharma
Mediprix
Mutualpharm
Nextypharm
Normandie Pharma
Norpharma
Objectif Pharma
OmnesPharma
Optopharm
Originsanté
Orphie Groupement de Pharmaciens
Orphie Provence
Oté pharma
Paraph
PDA Pharma
Pharm & Free
Pharm Auvergne
Pharm O Naturel
Pharm Upp
Pharm-Agir
Pharma 10
Pharma france
Pharma Platinum
Pharma provence Groupe
Pharma Sud
Pharma Synergie
Pharmaciens du sud
Pharmacies groupe Rocade
Pharmacyal
Pharmadinina
Pharmadirect
Pharmadn
Pharm ici
Pharmamarket (Antwerpia groupe)
Pharmarem
Pharmatomic
Pharmavance
Pharmavenir
Pharmaxial
Pharmidée
Pharmodel
Positive Pharma
Quartz groupement Pharmacies
Réseau Katalys
Réseau P&P
Réseau Pharma Méditerranée
Réseau Santé
Resofficine
Resonor Soprophar
Santalis
Socopharm
Sofiadis
Solution Réseau d'Achat Pharm Etoile
Sopharef
STC Pharma
Sunipharma
Suprapharm
Synaps Pharma
Synergiphar
Teleconsult Pharma
Totum pharmaciens
UDPGO
Union des Grandes Pharmacies
Unipharm
Unipharm Loire Océan
Univers Pharmacies
VPharma
Ynova group

List of charts

Pharmaceutical retail sales in specialized stores, excluding VAT
Breakdown of drug sales
Trends in global pharmaceutical market spending (against a backdrop of health crisis)
Geographical breakdown of worldwide drug sales
Size of the global pharmaceuticals market
Pharmaceutical density in European countries
Sales of drugs at manufacturer's prices excluding VAT
Production by pharmaceutical manufacturers in France
Comparative trends in consumer price indices and drug price indices
Number of pharmacies in France
Trends in drug consumption
Changes in the structure of per capita consumption of medical care and goods
Number of inhabitants per pharmacy
Average breakdown of sales (incl. VAT) of reimbursable drugs sold in pharmacies
In general, do you trust pharmacists?
When you have to go to the pharmacy, do you prefer?
French satisfaction with COVID-19 vaccination in pharmacies
Demand views on potential developments in pharmacy
Demand-side views on changing drug distribution channels
Have you ever bought drugs over the Internet?
Are you sometimes unable to obtain a drug from a pharmacy because it's out of stock?
Sales (in France) of major players
Change in pharmacy margins
Have you implemented sanitization measures in your pharmacy?
Have you experienced the mask shortage?
Have you read the text of decree 2020-73?
French trade balance in pharmaceutical preparations
Value of French exports and imports of pharmaceutical preparations

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Latest news

Sanofi plans to spin off its Consumer Healthcare business in 2024 - 28/10/2023

Year of separate listing of Sanofi's Consumer Healthcare Division: 2024
Sanofi envisages savings of: up to 2 billion euros between 2024 and the end of 2025
Presence of Sanofi Consumer Healthcare Division: 150 countries, more than 11,000 employees

Sanofi to spin off its consumer healthcare division and float it on the stock market - 27/10/2023

Sanofi is a French pharmaceutical company
The Consumer Healthcare division has over 11,000 employees in 150 countries.
The demerger of Consumer Healthcare will take place in the fourth quarter of 2024 at the earliest.
This division accounts for just over 10% of Group sales.
In 2022, the Consumer Healthcare division generated 5.1 billion euros of Sanofi's 43 billion euros in sales.
The Consumer Healthcare division posted growth of 13.7% in 2022.
By 2021, the global consumer healthcare market will be worth over €180 billion.
The market share of Haleon, the world leader in consumer healthcare, is estimated at 6% in 2021.
The over-the-counter segment accounts for 90 billion euros, vitamins, minerals and supplements for 50 billion euros, and oral care for almost 30 billion euros.
Its Dupixent sales approach 11 billion euros in annual sales.
Beyfortus vaccine is currently marketed in 4 countries, including France.

Sephora to rapidly increase sales from 12 to 20 billion euros - 23/10/2023

Sephora is the world leader in selective perfumery.
LVMH has owned Sephora since 1997.
The Sephora store on the Champs Elysées welcomes 10,000 visitors a day.
The global beauty market grew by 6% last year to reach 250 billion euros.
Sephora has forecast 17% growth by 2022.
The brand has 2,700 stores.
By 2022, according to analysts, Sephora has almost reached 12 billion euros in sales.

Beauty: how Sephora is expanding in the United States - 07/10/2023

America is its first market
The French group opened its first store there twenty-five years ago
Today, it has 658 directly-operated stores on the American market, including 22 in New York
Sephora is present in 35 markets with 2,700 stores
A $430 billion industry according to McKinsey
The United States will consolidate its position as the world's leading beauty market, growing from $70 billion in 2022 to around $100 billion in 2027 (McKinsey).
The brand contributes 20% of LVMH sales and 12% of the Ebit of the number one in luxury goods.
sephora is America's leading selective retailer.
American retailer Kohl's, which has stores in 29 states, partnered with Sephora in 2020, and they share 862 "Sephora Kohl's".

Sephora and Zalando end their partnership - 09/09/2023

The partnership between Sephora and Zalando began in Germany in the fourth quarter of 2021.
The partnership was extended to Zalando's other European markets in 2022, including Italy
Two years after the start of the partnership, the collaboration comes to an end.
Sephora is a subsidiary of LVMH.
Sephora's aim in 2021 was to compete with Douglas (Nocibé in France), which has a greater presence in Europe.

Sanofi inaugurates Europe's largest vaccine plant at Val-de-Reuil - 07/09/2023

Sanofi's vaccine plant in Val-de-Reuil celebrated its 50th anniversary.
Sanofi has invested 250 million euros in two modernization/expansion projects at the plant, which employs 2,200 people.
It ships 600 million doses of vaccines worldwide every year.
Sanofi has set up a new influenza vaccine production unit, at a cost of 200 million euros.
Over the past ten years, Sanofi has invested 600 million euros in Val-de-Reuil.
Sanofi plans to double sales of its vaccines division between 2018 and 2030, to more than 10 billion euros a year.

Companies quoted in this study

This study contains a complete overview of the companies in the market, with the latest figures and news for each company. :

Giphar groupe

Pharmactiv (OCP Group)

Alphega Pharmacie

Giropharm

Leader Sante Groupe

Tanguy Parapharmacie

Arkopharma

BERGLAND PHARMA GMBH & CO. KG

Sanofi Aventis

Novartis

Hygie 31- Laf Santé

Elsie Santé

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