A survey conducted by Sempora Unternehmensberatung among OTC manufacturers on the sale of over-the-counter medicines (both prescription and non-prescription) in pharmacies has revealed that there are fears of a slump in sales due to the advance shifting of purchases made in March by patients who are eager to make purchases. Accordingly, 54 percent of the respondents fear a prospective slump in sales in pharmacies in favour of increasing the market shares of mail-order companies, which will be among the winners in the current crisis situation. 72 percent consider the mail-order business to be the clear winner during and after the Corona crisis. However, only 15 percent of the 37 participants in the OTC pharmaceutical industry surveyed believe in a shift to drugstores. 61 percent believe in changing future consumer behaviour with sustainability. In addition, 79 percent of the participants believe that now should be the right time for a change in market strategies by pharmacies, such as in the area of digitalization, to hold market shares in the future. But also pharmaceutical manufacturers of OTC preparations are working in corona mode, with 94 percent of them being in the home office and having reduced sales activities (79 percent). Also, 54 percent fear bottlenecks in the availability of goods. Sempora management partner Tobias Brodtkorb considers the COVID 19 crisis to be the catalyst for the changes in OTC drugs that can be purchased over the counter, which is why 32 percent of OTC manufacturers are also postponing their marketing campaigns and activities to the post-corona period, while 59 percent are sticking to their current activities. However, 56 percent question whether their market cultivation will be okay in the medium term, as 75 percent see long-term investments in online activities as crowned with success.
Source: Apotheke Adhoc