During the first three weeks of March 2020, the average consumer traffic to Walgreens stores increased by 12.3 percent when compared to the same period in 2019. For further information about the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, please visit our dedicated Facts and Figures page.

In 2020, around 57 percent of Taiwan's drugstore and pharmacy retail sales were generated by personal care products. Additionally, pharmaceutical and medical products represented a significant portion of retail sales in drugstores, with a share of 17.5 percent.

The total sales revenue of pharmacies in Italy fluctuated between 23.5 and 26.8 billion euros throughout the period from 2010 to 2024. The peak was registered in 2024, when pharmacy sales revenue amounted to nearly 26.8 billion euros. The lowest value registered in the period under consideration was in 2020, with 23.6 billion euros. This graph shows the annual revenue generated by retail pharmacy sales in Italy from 2020 to 2024.

In December 2024, the average price of a medicine package in Poland reached over 31.45 zloty. This price included a patient payment of 23.95 zloty and a reimbursement of 7.5 zloty.

Canadian pharmacies and drug stores have been experiencing moderate volatility. Drug stores have benefitted from growing health-related expenditures, with prescription medications remaining popular among consumers. Although increasing pharmaceutical prices have bolstered revenue, many provincial drug programs restricted prescription prices to cut healthcare costs, requiring generic drugs to be marked down by a percentage of the patented drug equivalent, which limits revenue growth and prevents larger profit gains. Pharmacies have endured some losses as high inflation discourages discretionary spending, particularly in the beauty and personal care segment. Still, the essential nature of the industry and the consistent need for health products have supported revenue gains. These trends are set to cause revenue to grow at an estimated CAGR of 0.5% to $88.6 billion through the end of 2025, including a 1.9% gain that year alone. As more and more Canadians continue to rely on prescription drugs, foot traffic at pharmacies and drug stores will remain high. British Columbia's reference-based pricing model, which includes generic substitution reimbursement rates within particular product categories, has constrained pharmacies' ability to markup prescription prices for individuals with public health insurance. Pharmacies have also contended with the loss of many brand-name drug patents, markets flooded with low-cost alternatives and significant supply chain disruptions impacting product availability, slowing revenue gains. Despite more prescriptions entering the generic space, new brand-name drugs have been pushing prescription spending upward. Many pharmacies have also begun to offer primary care services, allowing the industry to support Canada’s health system and drive more traffic to stores. These programs, which vary across provinces and have yet to be implemented nationally, create growth opportunities for drug stores. Revenue growth will continue amid growing healthcare spending and an expanding Canadian population. As research and development expenditures continue to rise, more pharmaceuticals will likely come through manufacturers’ drug pipelines, benefitting pharmacies and drug stores. Similarly, improving macroeconomic conditions, including weaker inflation and rising disposable income, and improving supply chain conditions will support growth moving forward. Similarly, pharmacies offering more preventative care are set to contribute to revenue gains. Medications are nondiscretionary, so consumers will continue to buy these products despite price fluctuations. Revenue will grow at an estimated CAGR of 1.9% to $97.4 billion through the end of 2030.

Number of Businesses statistics on the Pharmacies & Drug Stores industry in United States

The revenue of the U.S. pharmacies and drug stores industry was estimated to value about 318.86 billion U.S. dollars in 2020. The industry was projected to reach a value of 351.6 billion U.S. dollars by 2022.

Many consumers in the United States were once again visiting drug stores, as nearly 60 percent of surveyed shoppers had gone to such outlets in April 2021. In August of the year before, less than half of surveyed American shoppers had been to pharmacies physically. Over the course of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the number of people using both online and offline channels for their pharmaceutical needs had increased.

Macau SAR (China) % of Retailers: Forecast: Decrease: Goods in Pharmacy data was reported at 7.483 % in Mar 2020. This records a decrease from the previous number of 11.735 % for Dec 2019. Macau SAR (China) % of Retailers: Forecast: Decrease: Goods in Pharmacy data is updated quarterly, averaging 4.252 % from Mar 2006 (Median) to Mar 2020, with 57 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 38.214 % in Sep 2015 and a record low of 0.000 % in Dec 2013. Macau SAR (China) % of Retailers: Forecast: Decrease: Goods in Pharmacy data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics and Census Service. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Macau SAR (China) – Table MO.H002: Retailers' Forecast of Year-on-year Change in Retail Price. [COVID-19-IMPACT]

In the week ended February 23, 2020, the dollar sales of personal thermometers in drug stores rose by 23.1 percent compared to the same period of the previous year. In the same time, drug store sales of hand sanitizers grew by about 80.7 percent compared to the previous year. Some of these increases were likely triggered by the coronavirus pandemic. For further information about the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, please visit our dedicated Facts and Figures page.

Macau SAR (China) % of Retailers: Forecast: Stable: Goods in Pharmacy data was reported at 86.735 % in Mar 2020. This records an increase from the previous number of 77.523 % for Dec 2019. Macau SAR (China) % of Retailers: Forecast: Stable: Goods in Pharmacy data is updated quarterly, averaging 69.476 % from Mar 2006 (Median) to Mar 2020, with 57 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 90.218 % in Dec 2017 and a record low of 31.665 % in Mar 2008. Macau SAR (China) % of Retailers: Forecast: Stable: Goods in Pharmacy data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics and Census Service. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Macau SAR (China) – Table MO.H002: Retailers' Forecast of Year-on-year Change in Retail Price. [COVID-19-IMPACT]

The top U.S. pharmacy in 2024 by market share based on prescription drug revenue was CVS Health Corporation, followed by Walgreens Boots Alliance. CVS Health held over 25 percent of the prescription drug market revenue at that time. A significant increase in market share was reported for Cigna achieved through the acquisition of pharmacy benefit manager Express Scripts in August 2018. Before that, Cigna was mainly active in the insurance business and related products and services. CVS pharmaciesThe CVS Health Corporation is a health service company with locations all over the United States, Puerto Rico and Brazil. CVS Health comprises pharmacies, clinics and retail locations. According to recent estimates the number of CVS pharmacies has increased dramatically since 2005, however, with a downward tendency since 2021.Pharmaceutical and pharmacy marketThe U.S. has the largest single share of global pharmaceutical market revenues. The total number of prescriptions dispensed in the U.S. has increased in the last years, reaching around 6.7 billion medical prescriptions in 2022. Prescription drug expenditures have been increasing in value, while the share related to total U.S. health expenditures has remained stable in recent years. On the other hand, the pharmacy market recently saw some significant changes, especially with the growing impact of online pharmacies (mail-order pharmacies) worldwide.

Macau SAR (China) % of Retailers: Forecast: Decrease: 6-10%: Goods in Pharmacy data was reported at 0.000 % in Mar 2020. This stayed constant from the previous number of 0.000 % for Dec 2019. Macau SAR (China) % of Retailers: Forecast: Decrease: 6-10%: Goods in Pharmacy data is updated quarterly, averaging 1.486 % from Jun 2016 (Median) to Mar 2020, with 16 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 21.574 % in Sep 2017 and a record low of 0.000 % in Mar 2020. Macau SAR (China) % of Retailers: Forecast: Decrease: 6-10%: Goods in Pharmacy data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics and Census Service. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Macau SAR (China) – Table MO.H002: Retailers' Forecast of Year-on-year Change in Retail Price. [COVID-19-IMPACT]

Macau SAR (China) % of Retailers: Forecast: Increase: Goods in Pharmacy data was reported at 5.782 % in Mar 2020. This records a decrease from the previous number of 10.743 % for Dec 2019. Macau SAR (China) % of Retailers: Forecast: Increase: Goods in Pharmacy data is updated quarterly, averaging 21.176 % from Mar 2006 (Median) to Mar 2020, with 57 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 68.335 % in Mar 2008 and a record low of 0.000 % in Sep 2017. Macau SAR (China) % of Retailers: Forecast: Increase: Goods in Pharmacy data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics and Census Service. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Macau SAR (China) – Table MO.H002: Retailers' Forecast of Year-on-year Change in Retail Price. [COVID-19-IMPACT]

% of Retailers: Forecast: Decrease: ≦5%: Goods in Pharmacy data was reported at 7.483 % in Mar 2020. This records an increase from the previous number of 0.000 % for Dec 2019. % of Retailers: Forecast: Decrease: ≦5%: Goods in Pharmacy data is updated quarterly, averaging 3.925 % from Jun 2016 (Median) to Mar 2020, with 16 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 8.498 % in Jun 2016 and a record low of 0.000 % in Dec 2019. % of Retailers: Forecast: Decrease: ≦5%: Goods in Pharmacy data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics and Census Service. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Macau SAR (China) – Table MO.H002: Retailers' Forecast of Year-on-year Change in Retail Price. [COVID-19-IMPACT]

The coronavirus pandemic has driven a surge in consumer spending in the United States, particularly with stockpiling of goods. Multi-purpose outlets like Walmart and Target gained the most, with dollars sales of consumer packaged goods increasing 10 percent relative to the year before. Convenience stores witnessed a smaller but still significant increase in sales, reaching around 4 percent compared to 2019 levels.

For further information about the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, please visit our dedicated Facts and Figures page.

Colombia Nominal Retail Trade Index: Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Products data was reported at 103.603 2019=100 in Jan 2020. This records a decrease from the previous number of 107.597 2019=100 for Dec 2019. Colombia Nominal Retail Trade Index: Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Products data is updated monthly, averaging 101.002 2019=100 from Jan 2019 (Median) to Jan 2020, with 13 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 107.597 2019=100 in Dec 2019 and a record low of 88.063 2019=100 in Feb 2019. Colombia Nominal Retail Trade Index: Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Products data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Statistics Administrative Department. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Colombia – Table CO.H003: Retail Trade Index: ISIC Rev. 4: 2019=100.

In 2020, the retail sector comprised the largest share of pharmaceutical sales in Russia. The retail sales amounted to 939 billion U.S. dollars, compared to 353 billion U.S. dollars earned by sales in the public sector.

Chile Real Retail Sales Index: Commerce: Pharmaceutical, Cosmetic & Personal Care Products data was reported at 119.479 2014=100 in Oct 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 112.134 2014=100 for Sep 2023. Chile Real Retail Sales Index: Commerce: Pharmaceutical, Cosmetic & Personal Care Products data is updated monthly, averaging 102.240 2014=100 from Jan 2014 (Median) to Oct 2023, with 118 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 153.816 2014=100 in Dec 2021 and a record low of 81.700 2014=100 in Apr 2020. Chile Real Retail Sales Index: Commerce: Pharmaceutical, Cosmetic & Personal Care Products data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Institute of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Chile – Table CL.H004: Real Retail Trade Activity Index: Commerce: 2014=100.

The global varicella virus vaccine market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.8% and is anticipated to reach over USD 1,020 million by 2026.