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The German Online Pharmacy & Mail Order Market: Trends, Opportunities & Overview

Get insights into the pharma e-commerce industry in Germany, with the market size having increased at a CAGR of 6.10% in the period between 2019 and 2023. Discover the current status of the German consumer health and pharma e-commerce sector, the market trends, major players, and online selling channels. 

The consumer health and pharma industry in Germany has undergone a significant transformation in recent years, with e-commerce emerging as a major player in the market. This transformation has been driven by technological advancements and changes in consumer behaviour, leading to unprecedent growth  

Biggest online pharmacies 

The pandemic has accelerated the growth of e-commerce in Germany not only due to the distance-related measures, but also owing to the closure of physical stores. Since 2020, over 80% of German citizens have bought their medicines from an online pharmacy at least once. The main arguments for buying OTC drugs online are lower prices, more extensive range and convenience 

In this context, the German mail order business, which includes website and mobile app orders, saw a substantial growth in almost all indication areas in the OTC drug market, with the alimentary tract and metabolism and dermatology accounting for almost half of the sales.   

The German Online Pharmacy and Mail Order Market: Trends, Opportunities and Overview

Figure 1: The Growth of Mail Order Sales in Germany 

There are several big players in the German online pharmacy industry. DocMorris, which was acquired by the Swiss Zur Rose Group, is the largest online pharmacy in Germany. The top 10 internet pharmacies in Germany have a combined annual turnover of over EUR 3,5 billion, accounting for a significant portion of the overall online pharmacy market. 

Top - 10 Online Pharmacies in Germany

Figure 2: Top-10 online pharmacies in Germany

The biggest trends in the online pharmacy industry in Germany are: 

  • Use of mobile apps by customers to order their medications and track their orders; 
  • The rise of telemedicine, where patients can consult with doctors online and receive prescriptions that can be filled by online pharmacies. 
  • Starting from July 2023, e-prescriptions (“e-Rezept”) became mandatory in Germany, further driving the digitalization trend on the market. 

Direct-to-consumer (D2C) sales 

In addition to the big players in the online pharmacy industry, there are small companies that sell VMS (Vitamins, Minerals, Supplements) brands through their own online shops. Smaller companies increasingly leverage the internet and social media to market their products to a wider audience, cutting out the middlemen and increasing profit margins. 

Some examples of German companies using direct-to-consumer sales are: 

  • Vitamaze 
  • Natural Elements 
  • Vitabay 
  • Fairvital 
  • VitalAbo 

Marketplaces  

In Germany, the sale of consumer health products, including VMSs, is heavily regulated by the German Medicines Act (AMG) and the German Pharmacy Act (ApoG), and it is only allowed through licensed pharmacies or authorized online pharmacies 

However, there are some online marketplaces, like Amazon, that offer VMSs and other health-related products. Online pharmacies and small companies selling VMS brands may often use these marketplaces to reach a broader audience. 

Biggest Online Marketplaces in Germany Offering VMSs

Figure 3: Key online marketplaces in Germany that offer VMSs and other health-related products 

Overall, the German online pharmacy and mail order sector is a rapidly growing industry, with both big and small players competing for a share of the market. The use of e-prescriptions and the entry of marketplaces like Amazon are expected to drive further growth in the coming years. 

How to receive your individualized insights  

Contact us if you want to expand your business in the pharma e-commerce industry in Germany or other countries. With the expertise amassed from more than 150 international projects and 22 experts around the world, CPC Group offers:  

  • Systematic product and country analysis;  
  • Systematic local partner identification;
  • Regulatory and registration assistance.

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