Summary

The global parapharmacy market has experienced significant growth, with a steady positive evolution despite economic uncertainties, such as the 2006 Bersani Legislative Decree in Italy. As of 2020, the sector in Italy expanded by 19.5 percent and only showed a mild decline of 0.8 percent in 2021. The global market reached a value of $1,126.63 billion in 2022 with an expected increase to $1,205.81 billion by the end of 2023, growing at a CAGR of 7.0%. Online sales have become increasingly prevalent, especially due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Main Trends in the Pharmaceutical and Parapharmaceutical Market in Italy

In the pharmaceutical and parapharmaceutical market of Italy, demand remains robust with several key trends shaping this sector. A significant section of Italians, amounting to approximately 65%, trust pharmacists as professional health advisors, preferring to purchase their health products from known and trusted establishments. Despite this, there is a notable pivot towards digitalization, with about 60% of consumers expressing openness to purchasing from pharmacy websites.
The supplement sector emerges as a substantial driver of growth in this market, likely due to heightened health and wellness awareness. One trend in demand, spanning products such as cold treatments, analgesics, and gastrointestinal drugs, highlights these as commanding over 70% of the market's value and volume, reflecting their importance in consumers' health maintenance regimens. Demand surges particularly during the colder months for flu and cold remedies, but other seasons have their specific demands, such as antihistamines in spring and sunscreens in summer. Geographically, the highest expenditure on parapharmacy goods occurs in the Northeast regions, followed by the Northwest, further indicating a correlation between location and consumer spending habits. A noteworthy trend in the market is the upsurge in e-commerce, with companies like Farmaè and Amazon posting multimillion-euro turnovers, showcasing the expansion of digital channels. The growth of online sales is also mirrored in the increase in pharmacies and parapharmacies authorized to sell online, eclipsing the milestone of over 1,300 authorized establishments in 2023. The Italian parapharmacy landscape reflects a dynamic integration of traditional trust in pharmacists and evolving digital trends. There is a noteworthy emphasis on sustainability and health, omnichannel shopping experiences, and the blending of human and digital connections, which have redefined consumer habits, particularly in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. The pandemic itself acted as an accelerant for the transition toward online purchases, bolstering sector growth during periods of stringent restrictions and enhanced health consciousness.

Key Market Participants Shaping the Parapharmacy Landscape

The parapharmacy market has been witnessing a dynamic growth, with a range of players contributing to the vibrant ecosystem of non-prescription health, wellness, and personal care products. Amidst this growing domain, several companies stand out due to their strategic positioning, diverse offerings, and approach to meeting consumer demands.

  • E-commerce New Entrants: One of the most significant shifts in the parapharmacy sector has been the emergence of online platforms catering to health and wellness needs. Farmaè has become a noticeable presence in the digital space, offering consumers the convenience of purchasing a wide range of parapharmaceutical products from the comfort of their homes. Similarly, tech giant Amazon has made notable inroads into this market, using its vast logistical infrastructure and customer reach to dispense OTC medications and health products.
  • International Parapharmacy Chains: Global players like Medi-market are strengthening their footprint by offering an international perspective and expertise to the parapharmacy services. Their presence signifies the cross-border appeal of parapharmacy offerings and the globalization of health and wellness consumerism.
  • Large-Scale Retail Chains (GDO): Traditional large-scale retailers such as Bennet and Conad have ventured into the parapharmacy domain by incorporating dedicated sections within their stores. This integration allows them to offer a one-stop shopping experience, combining grocery and pharmaceutical needs under one roof.
  • Retail Trade: The Talea Group S.P.A. and IT'S HERE S.P.A. represent the traditional retail side of parapharmacies, catering to customers through physical storefronts and providing personalized service. Additionally, G.S.M. - S.R.L. is another notable retail trade entity that has established itself as a trusted player in the parapharmacy market. 
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  • Last update : 17/10/2023
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Summary and extracts

1 Market Summary

1.1 Definition and presentation

A parapharmacy is a commercial activity that deals with the distribution of "Over the Counter (Otc)" products, non-prescription drugs (Sop) and extra-pharmaceuticals for the purchase of which no prescription is required. The birth of the parapharmacy is recent and dates back to the Bersani Legislative Decree of 2006, which aimed to liberalize the sale of certain pharmaceutical and parapharmaceutical products.

The dividing line between pharmacy and parapharmacy thus refers to the authorization to market pharmaceutical products for which a prescription is required. Instead, what they have in common is that both are required to have a pharmacist present at all times. Parapharmacies are thus a sub-segment of the pharmaceutical industry.

The pharmaceutical segment in Italy does not seem to have been affected by the economic crisis and shows a steady positive evolution, mainly driven by the growth of complementary markets (e.g., organic cosmetics, dermocosmetics, dietary supplements). Pharmacy is still a dominant distribution channel in these markets, to the detriment of parapharmacy in terms of both sales volume and value. However, parapharmacies are the fastest growing distribution channel in 2022.In2022a value of1.126.63 billion dollars, which is expected to reach1.205.81 billion dollarsat the end of2023, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of7,0%.

The pharmacist is perceived as a professional reference figure who gives important advice for patients' health by 65% of Italians. In fact, 75% of people prefer to buy pharmaceutical and extra-pharmaceutical products in a trusted business.

The growth of the parapharmacy market has been supported by a positive trend in the supplement sector.

Although Italians still prefer to purchase drugs and wellness products from a pharmacy or parapharmacy in their area, the pharmaceutical market is moving toward digitization. According to a recent survey conducted by Doxa , 60 percent of consumers would be open to purchasing pharmaceutical products from the pharmacy's website.

1.2 A global market

The global parapharmacy market is booming, driven by a number of factors, including increased health and wellness awareness , an aging population, and the increasing prevalence of online sales channels. Not in all world states, however, the distribution of parapharmaceutical products takes place in places other than pharmacies; for this reason, an ...

1.3 The domestic market

The parapharmaceutical sector consists of an extensive network of private, municipal and rural pharmacies and parapharmacies (***). Multinationalization of the sector has not occurred in Italy as well as abroad, so that more than *** outlets continue to be opened each year. The parapharmacy market has a size of more than *,*** employees; the ...

1.4 Foreign market analysis

In order to find out the value of exports and imports, it is possible to consult data belonging to the generic sector of drug production (***); consequently, these data allow us to analyze the breadth of the market, while also considering other segments not considered in other sections of the study.

As ...

1.5 Impact of the derivative

Demand for extrapharmaceutical products, such as masks and sanitizing gels, has increased production of this type of product. However, in the long run, the various segments of the parapharmaceutical sector did not experience increases, as in the case of OTC products, which experienced a * percent decline. [***]

Impact of Covid-** on demand ...

2 Demand analysis

2.1 Demand characteristics

When analyzing the composition of expenditure and consumption by non-prescription therapeutic category, it can be seen that the drugs with the highest incidence of expenditure are:

medicines for the treatment of cold diseases analgesics gastrointestinal drugs

These three categories account for **.* percent of the value market and **.* percent of the volume ...

2.2 Factors influencing demand

The demand for some pharmaceutical and extrapharmaceutical products is strongly influenced by seasonal factors; in general, the consumption of pharmaceutical products is higher during autumn and winter, as low temperatures and unfavorable weather are some of the causes that can contribute to the weakening of the body. However, depending on the ...

2.3 Geographical distribution of demand

To find out the geographic distribution of demand, it is possible to analyze the available Istat data with respect to the monthly household expenditure item for "other medical products," which refer to goods in parapharmacies. Specifically, it can be seen that spending is highest in the Northeast territories, followed by the ...

2.4 New demand trends

By virtue of the European Directive (***) , which allowed EU member states to decide independently on the marketing of drugs within their territorial jurisdiction, online sales of non-prescription drugs, so-called SOPs and OTCs, have been possible in Italy since ****, after obtaining the approval of the Ministry of Health

Since ****, there has been ...

3 Market structure

3.1 Market structure and dynamics

Active businesses

The graph below was constructed based on data found under "other health care services," as there is no specific data regarding the parapharmaceutical sector. Specifically, it can be seen that in **** the sector increased its presence in the country, with a growth rate of **.* percent. In ****, the last available ...

3.2 Value Chain

The supply chain of the parapharmacy market includes several stages:

raw materials and equipment, such as active ingredients, glass, cardboard, rubber and plastics, are supplied to pharmaceutical companies, which process or use them to produce pharmaceuticals and health care products; the pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical products are, then, delivered to depositories; these ...

3.3 Distribution channels

Following the enactment of Legislative Decree No. *** Art. * of July *, ****, the possibility of selling certain types of drugs in places other than pharmacies was guaranteed, with the aim of achieving economic and social revitalization; as a result of this, parapharmacies and GDO corners have become entrenched in the sector, becoming decisive ...

3.4 Major manufacturers of parapharmaceutical goods

Manufacturers are in the business of manufacturing, marketing, and distributing personal and health care merchandise. These products can be used for the prevention, treatment or amelioration of minor ailments, but are not as effective as drugs in the treatment of serious conditions.

Manufacturers have to comply with a number of rules ...

4 Supply analysis

4.1 Overview of the offer

The offerings in the parapharmacy market can be summarized as follows:

OTC & SOP: Also called "over the counter" and "non-prescription" are non-prescription drugs that can be sold without a prescription and are not reimbursable. OTCs are distinguished from SOPs by the freedom to advertise directly to the public, either through print ...

4.2 New trends in online offerings

In ****, new trends in digital pharmacy favored by the pandemic have been attested, resulting in increased demand for online shopping. The main trends attested in the online sector are influenced by:

sustainability and health: renewed attention to two crucial issues, such as sustainability and health, are the main trend in the ...

4.3 Prices

Thanks to the data presented by Cergas Bocconi's Drug Observatory, it can be seen that sales of drugs belonging to the OTC and SOP sector, for medicines without advertising and for self-medication drugs have increased at values of **%; according to forecasts, the market for non-prescription drugs will register a gradual growth ...

5 Rules and regulations

5.1 Italian regulations

Birth of parapharmacies

The possibility of selling certain types of medicines outside of pharmacies is provided for by Art. * of Legislative Decree No. *** of July *, **** containing "Urgent provisions for economic and social revitalization, for the containment and rationalization of public spending, as well as interventions in the field of revenue and ...

5.2 Steps to open a parapharmacy

To open a parapharmacy, there are several steps:

Develop a strategy : It is important to analyze the area and existing competitors to develop a coherent strategy in line with the goals, skills and attitude of the future staff; Choosing the location : to choose the location is mainly influenced by factors of ...

6 Positioning of actors

6.1 Segmentation

  • Farmaè
  • Medi-Market
  • Bennet
  • Pulker Farma Parafarmacie
  • Weleda
  • Talea Group S.P.A.
  • E' QUI S.P.A.
  • G.S.M. S.r.l.

List of charts

  • Nombre de pharmacie par habitants
  • Part des canaux de distribution dans les différents secteurs
  • Taux de croissance des suppléments
  • Les troubles de la santé les plus fréquents chez les Italiens
  • Recherches pour antihistaminique, crème solaire et aspirine sur Google
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Latest news

Weleda discontinues homeopathy production in Huningue - 06/07/2022
  • Weleda discontinues the production of homeopathic products at the Huningue site
  • 127 of 290 jobs are under threat
  • The site is running at 30% of its capacity.
  • Production will be discontinued in France and continued in Germany.
  • The Group is looking for a buyer, production will cease in 2023
  • The Group's turnover in 2021 amounted to EUR 60 million.
  • Weleda's turnover has fallen by 36% in four years
Weleda aims to rejuvenate its brand and accelerate innovation - 28/02/2023
  • The group has stopped production of homeopathic medicines at its Alsace site.
  • The French subsidiary cut 126 jobs
  • France remains the second-largest market behind Germany, accounting for 20% of group sales
  • Weleda relies on a distribution network built around pharmacies, parapharmacies and specialized organic retailers

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. :

Farmaè
Medi-Market
Bennet
Pulker Farma Parafarmacie
Weleda
Talea Group S.P.A.
E' QUI S.P.A.
G.S.M. S.r.l.

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