Picture by wirestock, taken from Freepik
The Belgian self-medication and Rx drugs market sector is growing towards a projected value of USD 19.15 billion by 2040, driven by an expected CAGR of 4,91%, as projected by CPC experts. The pharma retail landscape in Belgium – including Pharmacies and Parapharmacies – is very unique.
Figure 1. Belgian OTC and Pharma 2040 Market Value Projection
Unique Market Insights into the Belgian Pharmacies
The pharma sector is without a doubt one of the pillars of the Belgian economy, as it is the country with the second highest concentration of pharmacists in the world. Although it´s difficult to differentiate between Belgian and Dutch exports due to the “Rotterdam-Antwerp effect”, we know for a fact Belgium accounts for 13% of all EU pharma Export and has one of the highest concentration of pharmacies in the world. For example, Belgium has a quarter of France´s pharmacies, despite having a sixth of its population. The Belgian pharmacies are renowned for their wide and accessible product and service offering, including Rx and OTC medications, cosmetics, personal care items, and home healthcare supplies.
The Belgian retail pharmacy market is comprised of almost 5800 pharmacies and parapharmacies catering to the population’s needs. Independent pharmacies dominate the market, accounting for approximately 85% of the market share. Pharmacy chains make up the remaining 15%, but their presence is steadily growing.
There are a few notable pharmacy retail chains operating in the market:
- Multipharma, with 243 branches throughout the country.
- Lloydspharma, with 103 branches throughout the country.
- Familia, with 92 branches throughout the country.
- Vpharma, with 56 branches throughout the country.
Within this healthcare landscape, there are two main types of healthcare businesses that sell OTC medications and other health-related products: pharmacies and parapharmacies.
Pharmacies are healthcare establishments authorized to dispense OTC and Rx medications, medical devices, and natural health products. Such establishments can only be owned by those who:
- Possess the legal pharmacist’s diploma.
- Have obtained a visa from the FPS Public Health.
- Have obtained registration on the board of the Order of Pharmacists.
Pharmacists have many responsibilities imposed by the Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products (FAMHP), among which we find providing counseling and advice to customers on the use of medications and other health products, as well as investigating interactions between medicines in patients who are taking multiple medicines simultaneously.
On the other hand, parapharmacies are retail establishments that sell a variety of OTC medications, personal care products, cosmetics, and other health-related items. Since such establishments can be owned by a non-pharmacist, they cannot dispense prescription drugs, and can only give limited health advice, however, they usually offer a wide range of OTC products.
Services Offered by Pharmacies in Belgium
Beyond retail, pharmacies in Belgium offer a comprehensive range of services, including:
- Medication advice: Pharmacists provide expert advice on various health-related topics, including prescription and over-the-counter medications, self-care, and preventive healthcare.
- Vaccinations: Pharmacies offer a variety of vaccinations, including flu shots, shingles vaccines, and hepatitis B vaccines.
- Health screenings: Pharmacies conduct various health screenings, such as blood pressure screenings, cholesterol screenings, and blood glucose screenings.
- Home healthcare supplies: Pharmacies sell a variety of home healthcare supplies, such as crutches, walkers, and wheelchairs.
Figure 2. Key Facts about the Belgian Retail Market
Pharma ecommerce in Belgium
The online sale of medicines in Belgium is strictly regulated by the FAMHP. While the sale of prescription drugs online is prohibited, the online sale of OTC medications and medical devices is subject to stringent privacy protections and adherence to good pharmacy practices.
Future Trends of the Belgian Rx & OTC market
Belgiums ’s healthcare market offers several promising opportunities for pharma retailers & consumer health companies:
- Parapharmacies are rapidly gaining popularity in Belgium due to their wider product range, convenient locations, lower prices and more favourable regulations compared to pharmacies.
- The adoption of telemedicine and the National Health Databases can leverage digital platforms to engage with healthcare providers and patients, offering innovative solutions and improving access to medications
- The ageing population and rising life expectancy have led to a greater prevalence of complex health conditions and chronic diseases. This demographic shift is expected to drive significant growth in the retail pharmacy market, with public expenditure on health expected to reach 10% of the country´s GDP.
Overall, Belgium’s healthcare system, supported by robust infrastructure, government initiatives, and a focus on innovation, presents a profitable ground for pharma companies seeking growth opportunities. By staying attuned to market trends, leveraging digital health innovations, and focusing on sustainability, pharma companies can capitalize on the potential of the Belgian market and contribute to the continued advancement of healthcare in the region.
Chameleon Pharma Consulting Group specializes in internationalization, market entry and regulatory projects in the areas of consumer health, pharma, food supplements, medical devices, and cosmetics in the Middle East, as well as Latin America, Asia, the US, Europe, and CIS. We have completed over 300 international market entry projects, offering:
- Systematic Country and Product analysis (portfolio analysis),
- Systematic Local Partner Identification,
- Registration and Regulatory Affairs,
- Digital Transformation Services (strategy consulting, e-learning, social media analysis, SEO optimization and other).
For your individual questions please contact us by e-mail at service@chameleon-pharma.com.
