Industry Analysis & Industry Trends
Australian pharmaceutical wholesalers are an important interface between local and international pharmaceutical manufacturers and the nation's 5,300-plus community pharmacies. Pharmaceutical wholesalers are involved in the procurement, distribution and sale of a range of pharmaceutical and medicinal products including prescription medicines, pharmacy-only medicines, over-the-counter (OTC) medicines and other healthcare products.
Following relatively strong growth in the first half of the 2000s, growth rates began to slow around 2005-06, in line with changes to the industry's operating environment (including regulatory changes) and slower growth in the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)... purchase to read more
Industry Report - Industry Key Buyers Chapter
The Pharmaceuticals Wholesaling industry is deemed to have a high level of concentration, with the three major players (full-line wholesalers) accounting for 69.2% of industry revenue and over 90% of total prescription pharmaceutical sales. The high level of concentration apparent in the industry is partly a result of Community Service Obligation regulations that require wholesalers meet defined services standards. PBS medicine wholesalers must be able to deliver pharmaceuticals to any pharmacy within 24 hours at or below an approved price.
The share of the industry's full-line wholesalers control is currently in decline, mainly due to Pfizer's 2011 decision to distribute the full range of its products directly... purchase to read more