The vitality of the American giant of delivery on this segment was confirmed in the first quarter of 2025 in France, marked by a growth of 43% over a year, after +44% over all of 2024, according to figures from the health data analysis firm, IQVIA, communicated to AFP.
“”Three-quarters of the products marketed by Amazon are new references on the European market, mainly in dermo-cosmetics, whose margins are higher“, Underlines Iqvia.
This progression more broadly reflects the development of e-commerce of over-the-counter health products in Europe, which “displays dynamic growth in all countries, but the market share remains limited compared to traditional channels“, that is to say pharmacies,” especially in France “, tempers this specialist.
The disparities remain notable from one country to another. In Spain, the increase in internet sales of these over -the -counter products such as cough syrups, vitamins and food supplements, hygiene or beauty products reaches 25%. Follow Poland (18%), Italy (16%) or Germany (11%).
Marginal place in France
In France, the expansion of orders on the Internet is more measured (+6%) but it exceeds that of traditional pharmacies (+3.5%).
In terms of market share, “The online pharmacy represents almost 2% of the total in France and 3% if we add Amazon, so this is relatively confidential“, nuance Paul Reynolds, expert at Iqvia France.
Thanks to a strong territorial presence, the 22,000 pharmacies in France thus remain the first point of sale.
“”Year after year, the reflex to seek advice in pharmacies is confirmed. All the more since the covid, where there has been a strengthening of the proximity link between the French and their pharmacist“, notes the specialist.
This attachment to pharmacies strengthens the pharmaceutical monopoly – in France, only a pharmacy led by a pharmacist can sell medicines – that the national order of the profession wants to preserve in the face of the development of e -commerce.
“”We understand that today there is a search for simplicity of access“, Recently told AFP the president of this organization, Carine Wolf-Thal. But”Because there is no trivial medication“,”Pharmacists are precisely there to avoid misuse and overconsumption“.
Germany, European leader
Online sale is perceived by the profession as “complementary”, “especially in regions, where there is no nearby pharmacy“, but “Above all, the pharmacist must have a declared online sales site at the Regional Health Agency (ARS). And in no case may this prescription prescription prescription“, Underlines Ms. Wolf-Thal.
As in Italy and Spain, distance selling activity remains limited only to drugs that are not subject to compulsory prescription, that is to be free access to the pharmacy (they are also called OTC, abbreviation of “Over the Counter”).
Only 838 French pharmacies are referenced as having an online sales activity of optional medical prescription drugs. These are not counted those who make the choice to sell online only parapharmacy and therefore do not need special authorization.
Anglo-Saxon countries adopt a more liberal approach: in Germany and in the United Kingdom, for example, an online pharmacy can offer the sale of prescription drugs. This is also the case of other European countries such as the Netherlands, the Nordic countries, or even Switzerland.
Germany is the country in Europe with the largest online sales market (20%), notably ahead of Italy and Poland (8%), Belgium (6%) and Spain (5%), according to Iqvia.