23 percent mail order share: OTC sales grow by 7.1 percent

After the "coronavirus slump," the OTC business has picked up again since 2022. Sales increased by 2.6 percent in 2024 compared to the previous year. The share of mail order sales rose slightly to 23 percent (237 million packages). This distribution can be seen inthe turnover . 9.2 billion euros are generated in the Local pharmacy generates 2.8 billion, online.

According to the BPI, every second package sold in pharmacies is a non-prescription drug. "This also significantly relieves the burden on the healthcare system and statutory health insurance funds," says BPI Managing Director Kai Joachimsen.

According to the data, demand was particularly high for cough and cold remedies, vitamins and minerals, and pain, muscle, and joint relief products. According to the BPI, a special feature of the market is the comparatively low inflation. Pharmacy sales prices have risen by 11.7 percent since 2021, while the consumer price index has risen by 19.3 percent over the same period.

According to the Federal Statistical Office, there are 670 pharmaceutical companies in Germany, most of which are small or medium-sized enterprises. 16 percent of the companies have more than 250 employees or more than €50 million in revenue. Four out of five pharmaceutical manufacturers also offer non-prescription drugs. "Our industry is an important employer for more than 130,000 people in Germany," emphasizes Joachimsen.

The BPI advocates for OTC medications to be covered more frequently by health insurance companies. Reimbursement should be extended to all children and adolescents up to the age of majority, and should also apply to pregnant women and people with multiple illnesses, the association demands. Health insurance companies should also be allowed to continue offering reimbursement within the scope of statutory benefits.