New study confirms: online pharmacies are the key to a comprehensive and sustainable supply of medicines

A recent study by the IEGUS Institute highlights the growing importance of online pharmacies for the German healthcare system. The study shows that online pharmacies are already a mainstay of the drug supply and will play a crucial role in ensuring comprehensive and cost-effective care in the future.

The study was commissioned by the European Association of E-Pharmacies (EAEP) and is based on an analysis of data from 2019 to 2023 from the four largest online pharmacy groups in the German market, including the apo.com Group, as well as a qualitative evaluation of existing literature.

Key findings of the IEGUS study:

1. online pharmacies ensure the provision of basic medical care across the board and sustainably strengthen the healthcare system, particularly in rural and structurally weak regions.

• In 2023, the population in Germany received an average of 0.37 packages with Rx and/or OTC products from the online pharmacies considered. The number of packages per capita has almost doubled since 2019 (0.2) (IEGUS, 2024, p.49).
• Per capita, low (0.41) and medium (0.42) populated areas received more drug deliveries than densely populated areas (0.33) (IEGUS, 2024, p.55).

2. Online pharmacies are an important part of the solution to counter the decline in brick-and-mortar pharmacies and ensure pharmaceutical healthcare.

• Brick-and-mortar pharmacies are increasingly closing as they face a variety of challenges. These include, among others, a shortage of skilled workers, rising operating costs, falling margins and a decline in the number of doctors’ practices in the vicinity (IEGUS, 2024, p.23). Online pharmacies fill gaps in care with services that are independent of time and location where brick-and-mortar pharmacies have had to close (IEGUS, 2024, p.27).

3. digital health services such as online pharmacies, telemedicine and electronic prescriptions make a decisive contribution to stable and cost-efficient healthcare.

• Online pharmacies and digital technologies relieve the burden on the healthcare system by providing barrier-free access to medication, more efficient processes and lower operating costs (IEGUS, 2024, pp.27, 37).
• By providing comprehensive, round-the-clock, location-independent care, online pharmacies help to ensure a stable healthcare system, especially in times of crisis. (IEGUS, 2024, p.43).

“The results of the study clearly show that online pharmacies are not just a supplementary offer, but already an indispensable part of the pharmaceutical supply in Germany. With their reach, efficiency and innovative strength, they make a significant contribution to making healthcare sustainable and comprehensive. It is essential that their potential is given more consideration in political and scientific discourse as well as in healthcare planning. Only in this way can we fully exploit the opportunities of digitalization and ensure the long-term provision of care for people.”

  Dr. Oliver Scheel, CEO of apo.com Group

For more information, please refer to the executive summary and the full study.