Pharmacy Seminar 31 March 09 Rome

1. EUROPEAN SEMINAR
CO-OPERATIVE ENTERPRISES IN THE PHARMACY SECTOR
OPPORTUNITIES & CHALLENGES
ROME, 30-31 MARCH 2009
MAPPING EXERCISE
CO-OPERATIVES WORKING IN THE
PHARMACY SECTOR IN EUROPE
Version 1.3

2. This mapping exercise is realised with the support of
2

3. TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS 3
METHODOLOGICAL FOREWORD 4
1. CO-OPERATIVES WORKING IN THE PHARMACY SECTOR IN EUROPE: WHERE & HOW 6
2. COUNTRY ANALYSIS 7
2.1. Belgium 7
2.2. France 7
2.3. Germany 8
2.4. Greece 9
2.5. Italy 9
2.6. Netherlands 10
2.7. Poland 10
2.8. Portugal 11
2.9. Spain 11
2.10. Switzerland 12
2.11. Turkey 12
2.12. UK 13
3. CO-OPERATIVES WORKING IN THE PHARMACY SECTOR IN EUROPE: KEY FIGURES 14
FIRST OUTCOMES 16
ANNEX 1: QUESTIONNAIRE 17
ANNEX 2: COUNTRY SHEETS 19
3

4. METHODOLOGICAL FOREWORD
COOPERATIVES EUROPE, the Europe region of ICA, represents a force for economic growth and social
change of 163 million member co-operators owning 250 000 cooperative enterprises and giving jobs
to 5,4 million European citizens. It gathers together 171 national cooperative organisations from 37
countries of the European region and 6 European sector-based Organisations. Its vision is the
promotion of the co-operative model of enterprise for sustainable economic progress with social
objectives.
Taking advantage of its great representativeness and of its several contacts with national and sectoral
organisations in all European countries, COOPSEUROPE carries out mapping exercises to help
organisations in sharing experiences, establishing contacts and networks as well as creating synergies.
Therefore, although the surveys are implemented with the highest possible precision level and
following the basic scientific criteria, COOPERATIVES EUROPE does not pretend to be considered a
research centre. Mappings’ results are to be considered indicative, in the sense that they give the idea
of the dimensions and the potential of a determined phenomenon or sector.
The analysis and mapping of co-operatives working in the pharmacy sector in Europe, is a completely
new subject for COOPERATIVES EUROPE. At the beginning of the study COOPSEUROPE disposed of no data
about this sector, neither for the European nor for the national levels.
This was due to two main reasons. Firstly, among ICA members there is only one national
organisation representing co-operative pharmacies in Europe – OPHACO, Office des pharmacies
coopératives de Belgique. Secondly, there is no European organisation representing co-operative
enterprises working in the pharmacy sector as the sector-based European organisation, EUSP,
represents social pharmacies in general, which do not necessarily have a co-operative form.
Three were the main reasons for which the data collection was not easy. First of all, as already stated,
for the lack of a European structure, and, in many cases (Germany, The Netherlands, France, Poland,
Switzerland), even of a national structure. Second, in countries like Spain and Greece, where co-
operatives have a long-standing tradition, the representative structures do not have regular relations
with COOPSEUROPE’s members, which makes the contact difficult. Finally, in particular with those
organisations with which COOPERATIVES EUROPE had no direct relation, it was difficult to persuade them
to take part in the survey.
The mapping was carried out in three phases. The first stage was meant to be a general recognition
of the overall situation in the different European countries. A set of general questions was sent to
contact-points in 22 countries: Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany,
Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Slovakia,
Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and UK.
On the basis of the results of the first enquiry and of discussions with experts of the sector, a
questionnaire was prepared (see annexe 1) and sent to the contacts in the countries where co-
operatives work also in the pharmacy sector. In the questionnaire, co-operatives are classified into
three categories according to their activity:
4

5. - Co-operative of professional pharmacists, which function as buying groups/ wholesalers,
provide logistic services and training;
- Co-operative pharmacies: consumers coming together in retail co-operatives;
- Workers joining in a co-operative to produce drugs.
Besides, a forth category was created for those corporate enterprises working in the pharmacy sector
which are controlled by co-operatives (50% at least).
In the final stage, fulfilled questionnaires were collected. For those countries which did not take part
into the survey, but whose co-operative movement is active in the pharmacy sector, web researches
have been carried out to at least get a general overview of the phenomenon. Unfortunately, not all
data are available and, though scientifically not correct, sometimes we will have to add together
quantities (such as the turnover or number of employees) referring to different years.
5

6. 1. COOPERATIVES WORKING IN THE PHARMACY
SECTOR IN EUROPE: WHERE & HOW
Before analysing the European countries where co-operatives work also in the pharmacy sector, an
overview is provided.
In at least 12 of the 22 countries which were contacted for this mapping, the presence of co-
operatives in the pharmacy sector is signalled:
- Belgium
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Italy
- Netherlands
- Poland
- Portugal
- Spain
- Switzerland
- Turkey
- UK
A national federation representing co-operatives working in the pharmacy sector is present in:
Belgium (OPHACO), Greece (OSFE), Italy (Federfarma Servizi), Portugal (Fecofar), Spain (Acofarma),
Turkey (TEKB), UK (The Co-operative Pharmacy).
The following chart summarizes the categories which are present in each of the countries and signals
where a national federation has already been created.
Co-operatives in the pharmacy sector
controlled by
Wholesaler/
Pharmacies
Federation
producers
National
Co-ops
Buying
co-ops
Co-op
Drug
Corp
Belgium Y Y Y
France Y
Germany Y Y
Greece Y Y
Italy Y Y Y
Netherlands Y
Poland Y
Portugal Y Y
Spain Y Y
Switzerland Y
Turkey Y Y
UK Y Y Y
6

7. 2. COUNTRY ANALYSIS
2.1. Belgium
In the Belgian pharmacy sector co-operatives are present under various forms: co-operative
pharmacies, buying groups, distributors and “offices de tarification”. OPHACO is constituted by 15
consumer co-operatives companies, specifically active in the intermediary distribution (8 wholesalers,
600 pharmacies, 50 Health Product shops) of medicines (human and animal) and health products:
medical devices, medical nutrition or cosmetics.
According to the data published on the website of OPHACO, co-operative pharmacies represent about
20% of the Belgian pharmaceutical product market, they have a turnover of 600 millions Euro and
employ 3 500 people (1 000 pharmacists)1.
Belgium: Co-operative pharmacies
Co-operative Other pharmacies Total
pharmacies
5 3002
Points of sale 600 4 700
Employees 3 500
Employees 1 000
(pharmacists)
Members XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Turnover (year?) 600 000 000 €
2.2. France
In the French pharmacy sector, co-operatives are present as buying groups (groupements de
repartition). In particular the co-operative network CERP, is the third main actor in France:
- O.C.P. Group 37%
- CERP Network 29%
- Alliance Healthcare France 28%
- Phoenix Pharma 4%
- Others 2%
Unfortunately, it was not possible to find data about all the members of the CERP network.
France: Wholesaler/ Buying co-operatives in the pharmacy sector
Served Employees Turnover (2007) Market share
Pharmacies
Cerp-Rouen* 5 300 2 735 3 315 000 000 € 14,5 %
Cerp-Rhin-Rhône- 3 000 995 1 543 000 000 € 8%
Méditerranée
Cerp-Bretagne- 2,5 %
Nord
1
http://ophaco.nexenservices.com/index.php?pageID=1
2
http://girp.eu/membersprofiles.php?urlxx=BELGIUM
7

8. Cerp-Lorraine** 1 700 1 750 800 300 000 € 4%
Total 10 000 5 480 5 658 300 000 € 29 %
* Cerp-Rouen together with the German company Sanacorp (corporate enterprise partly controlled by a co-operative), founded
in 2007 the new holding Millennium s.p.a. based in Bologna (Italy).
** Cerp-Lorraine has recently undergone a deep reorganisation process: the repartition pharmaceutique activity was sold to
Phenix, which has allowed the new company, since 30th September 2008 named Welcoop Group, to concentrate on the service
activities.
However, CERP is not the only co-operative entity in the pharmacy sector in France. There are at least
two other actors to mention: Sogiphar and the Coopérative des Pharmaciens, which has recently
changed its name into Central des Pharmaciens. Unfortunately, no data is available for these two co-
operatives, unless for the fact that 600 pharmacies are members of the Coopérative des Pharmaciens.
Therefore, on a total of about 23 000 pharmacies in France3, at least 10 600 of them work with/are
members of a co-operative.
2.3. Germany
Sixteen are the full-line wholesalers of pharmaceutical products in Germany4. Among the biggest,
Noweda and Sanacorp are linked to the co-operative movement.
Sanacorp used to be a co-operative, and it was transformed into a joint company in 1995 – Sanacorp
Pharmaholding AG and Sanacorp Pharmahandel GmbH - which remains, however, controlled by the
co-operative Sanacorp eG Pharmazeutische Groβhandlung (100 % of the votes, 73,2 % of the
capital). In 2007, together with the French co-operative CERP-Rouen, Sanacorp created Millennium
S.p.a, a stock company based in Bologna (Italy).
Germany: other (non co-operative) enterprises in the pharmacy sector, owned by co-
operatives (50% minimum)
Served Employees Turnover (2007)
Pharmacies
Millenium spa 8 000 2 554 2 728 577 000 €
(Sanacorp
Pharmahandel
GmbH)
On the other hand, Noweda is still an Apothekergenossenschaft, a co-operative of pharmacists, which
counts 6553 members.
Germany: wholesaler/ buying co-operatives in the pharmacy sector
Wholesaler/ Other buying Total
Buying co-ops groups
(Ankaufsgruppe)
165
Number 1 (Noweda)
Members 6 553 XXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
3
http://girp.eu/membersprofiles.php?urlxx=FRANCE
4
http://girp.eu/membersprofiles.php?urlxx=GERMANY
5
http://girp.eu/membersprofiles.php?urlxx=GERMANY
8

9. Served 5 000 16 551 21 551
pharmacies
Employees 1 540 10 697 12 237
Turnover 2 456 000 000 € 19 944 000 000 € 22 400 000 000 €
(2006/2007)
Noweda eG and Sanacorp AG have therefore a turnover of more than 5 billion €, which is about 25%
of the whole German market and they totally employ more than 4 000 people.
2.4. Greece
Also in Greece pharmaceutical product wholesaler co-operatives have gathered together to create a
common platform: in 1988 OSFE, Cooperative Federation Farmakopoion Greece, was created.
Greece: wholesaler/ buying co-operatives in the pharmacy sector
Wholesaler/ Other buying Total
Buying co-ops groups
1426
Number 27 115
Members XXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
5 1007 9 5008
Served 4 400
Pharmacies
8009
Employees
750 000 000 €10
Turnover (2001) € €
According to the data published on the website of OSFE, the federation of co-operatives controls 48%
of the pharmaceutical products of the Greek market.
2.5. Italy
In Italy as well the co-operative movement has a long tradition in the pharmacy sector. There are at
least 30 buying co-operatives representing 4 900 members and serving 8 000 pharmacies. The total
turnover is of 2,7 billion €, that is about 33 % of the overall market of pharmaceutical products in
Italy.
Italy: wholesaler/ buying co-operatives in the pharmacy sector
Wholesaler/ Other buying Total
Buying co-ops groups
Number 30* 3**
6
http://girp.eu/membersprofiles.php?urlxx=GREECE
7
http://www.osfe.gr
8
http://girp.eu/membersprofiles.php?urlxx=GREECE
9
http://www.osfe.gr
10
http://www.osfe.gr
9

10. Members 4 900 XXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX
Served 8 000 19 310 27 310
Pharmacies
Employees
Turnover 2 716 760 850,61 5 434 000 000 € 8 150 760 850,62
€ €
* Members of Federfarma Servizi
** Alleanza Salute, Comifar, So.Farma.Morra
Some of the Italian co-operatives working in the pharmacy sector have created a representative
organisation: Federfarma Servizi.
The presence of co-operative pharmacies has to be signalled as well.
2.6. Netherlands
In the Netherlands there used to be a big co-operative pharmacy (O.P.G.), which has a current
turnover of 2 400 000 000 €, but it was listed in the stock exchange in 1992. At that time the co-
operative owner retained 90% of the control. In 2000 it was converted into a corporate as the co-
operative’s ownership percentage had declined to below 20%. The company is now slowly but steadily
buying up the pharmacies that once used to be the owners of the company.
As for buying groups, there are two co-operatives, which are actually relatively small.
2.7. Poland
In Poland there is no co-operative working in the pharmacy sector as wholesaler. There is no co-
operative pharmacy as well. However, a relatively relevant sector for the co-operative movement in
this country is the pharmaceutical manufacture. As a matter of fact, there are at least 6 co-operatives
in this field, some of them extremely modern and with a relevant market position.
Poland: co-operatives, drug producers (both directly and indirectly)
Name Country of Employees Turnover
manufacture
1. UNIA Poland 264 15 000 000 €
Pharmaceutical (esteemed)
Plant Co-op in
Warsaw
2. FILOFARM Poland 124 8 570 000 €
Pharmaceutical (2007)
Workers’ Co-
operative in
Bydgoszcz
3. ESPEFA Poland 105 5 140 000 €
Chemistry and (planned for
Pharmacy 2008)
Cooperative in
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11. Cracow
4. SEPTOMA Poland 36 570 000 €
Chemical and (2007)
Pharmaceutical
Workers’
Cooperative in
Zabki
5. GALENA Poland 140 8 570 000 €
Pharmaceutical (2007)
Manufacturing
Cooperative in
Wroclaw
6. LABOR Poland 48 2 570 000 €
Pharmaceutical (2007)
and Chemical
Workers’
Cooperative in
Wroclaw
Total 717 40 420 000 €*
* This is an indicative amount, as the data refers to different years. However, it is indicative of the business volume.
2.8. Portugal
The Portuguese co-operative movement has a longstanding tradition in the pharmaceutical sector.
Fecofar, Federação de Cooperativas de Distribuição Farmacêutica, is the national organisation
representing pharmaceutical product wholesaler co-operatives. Fecofar has a market share of 33,7%,
has 3 735 associated pharmacies and 569 employees. In 2007 it registered an annual turnover of
more than 950 million Euro.
2.9. Spain
The co-operative movement in Spain has a great tradition in the pharmacy sector, namely in the form
of buying groups. Of the 21 00011 pharmacies which work in Spain, nearly 18 000 are members of a
co-operative.
Nowadays there are at least 32 co-operatives, which distribute 85% of the pharmaceutical products
sold on the Spanish market12.
Spain: wholesaler/ buying co-operatives in the pharmacy sector
Wholesaler/ Other buying Total
Buying co-ops groups
5813
Number 32 26
Members 18 000 XXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
20 74114
Served 18 000 2 741
Pharmacies
11
http://girp.eu/membersprofiles.php?urlxx=SPAIN
12
http://www.acofarma.com/ad_bienvenida.html
13
http://girp.eu/membersprofiles.php?urlxx=SPAIN
14
http://girp.eu/membersprofiles.php?urlxx=SPAIN
11

12. Employees
Turnover € € €
Considering its dimensions and its history, it is quite obvious that the Spanish co-operatives working in
the pharmacy sector have succeeded in gathering in a national structure: Acofarma, a co-operative
owned and managed by co-operatives. Among its activities of promotion and support of the member
co-operatives, Acofarma launched some years ago an own brand – Acofar – which now counts about
5 000 references.
2.10. Switzerland
We dispose of restricted information about the Swiss situation. It has to be signalled the presence of
some co-operatives pharmacy such as the Geno Apotheken, which count 4 dispensaries.
Another interesting co-operative experience is that of Apodata15, a pharmacists co-operative which
collects data about sales from its members and than sell them. Among its clients there are of course
pharmaceutical industries.
2.11. Turkey
In this country the pharmacy sector represents an important branch for the co-operative movement.
Turkish co-operatives have already gathered in a national structure: TEKB (Tüm Eczacı Kooperatifleri
Birliği, Association of Pharmacy Cooperatives) was created in 1989 which can now count on 7
members.
According to the data provided through the questionnaire, the 7 members of TEKB serve 10.000
pharmacies and employs about 1.500 people for a total turnover of about 1,25 billion Euro.
Turkey: wholesaler/ buying co-operatives in the pharmacy sector
Wholesaler/ Other buying Total
Buying co-ops groups
Number 7 4
Members 10 000 XXXXXXXXXXXX
Served 10 000
Pharmacies
Employees 1 500
Turnover 1 256 000 000 €* 6 594 000 000 € 7 850 000 000 €
* The data were provided in USD and converted in EURO according to the exchange rate on 1st November 2008.
Furthermore, the presence FarmaLojistik has to be signalled. It is a private company, completely
owned by co-operatives; it provides pharmacy wholesalers and pre-wholesalers logistic services. It
currently employs 35 people.
15
http://apodata.ch
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13. 2.12. UK
In the UK, The co-operative Pharmacy gathers together 793 co-operative pharmacies, representing
3,5 million members.
UK: cooperative pharmacies (consumer co-operatives)
Co-operative Other pharmacies Total
pharmacies
11 75416
Points of sale 793 12 547
Employees 5 626
Employees 1 000
(pharmacists)
Members 3 500 000 XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Turnover (year?) 816 043 696 €*
* The data were provided in GBP and converted in EURO according to the exchange rate on 1st January 2008.
The Co-operative Group’s pharmaceutical wholesale subsidiary, Sants, signed an agreement with Tasly
Group China on the 29th July 2007 which will lead to the construction of a state-of-the-art production
facility in the city of Tianjin in a total investment of up to 30 000 000£. The facility will manufacture
well established generic pharmaceutical products including OTC for the Co-operative’s own
pharmacies. Product will also be manufactured for Tasly’s own pharmacies and extensive distribution
in China.
16
http://girp.eu/membersprofiles.php?urlxx=UNITED KINGDOM
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14. 3. CO-OPERATIVES WORKING IN THE PHARMACY
SECTOR IN EUROPE: KEY FIGURES
Cooperatives in the pharmacy sector: turnover
(in million €)
controlled by
Wholesaler/
Pharmacies
producers
Total per
country
Co-ops
Buying
coops
Coop
Drug
Corp
Belgium 600 ? 600
France 5 658,3 5 658,3
Germany 2 456 2 728,6 5 184,6
Greece 750 750
Italy ? 2 716,8 2 716,8
Netherlands ? ?
Poland 40,4 40,4
Portugal 950 ?
Spain ? ?
Switzerland ? ?
Turkey 1 256 1 256
UK 816 ? 816
Total per category 1 416 13 787 40,4 2 728,6
Overall total 17 972
Cooperatives in the pharmacy sector: employees
controlled by
Buying Coop
Pharmacies
producers
Total per
country
coops
Coop
Drug
Corp
Belgium 3 500 ? 3 500
France 5 480 5 480
Germany 1 540 2 554 4 094
Greece 800 800
Italy ? ? ?
Netherlands ?
Poland 717 717
Portugal 569 ?
Spain ? ?
Switzerland ? ?
Turkey 1 500 1 500
UK 5 626 ? 5 626
Total per category 9 126 9 889 717 2554
Overall total 22 286
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15. Cooperatives in the pharmacy sector: pharmacies served by wholesaler/ buying
cooperatives
controlled by
Wholesaler/
operatives
Total per
country
Co-ops
Buying
coops
Corp
Co-
Belgium 9 ?
France 6 10 000 10 000
Germany 2 5 000 8 000 13 000
Greece 27 5 100 5 100
Italy 30 8 000 8 000
Netherlands 2 ? ?
Poland
Portugal 3 735 ?
Spain 32 18 000 18 000
Switzerland ?
Turkey 7 10 000 10 000
UK
Total 115 59 835 8 000 64 100
Cooperatives in the pharmacy sector: cooperative pharmacies
(pharmacists)
Cooperative
Pharmacies
Employees
Employees
Belgium 600 3 500 1 000
France
Germany
Greece
Italy ? ? ?
Netherlands
Poland
Portugal
Spain
Switzerland 4
Turkey
UK 786 5 626 786
Total 1390 9126 1786
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16. FIRST OUTCOMES
The survey is far from being exhaustive and, considering the first results obtained, it would be worth
to devote more energies to this sector. However, a perspective is needed. Spain, Portugal and Greece,
though the great potential of their co-operative movement in the pharmacy sector, did not take part
in the survey. To get them involved, to let them co-operating to a survey at European level, they need
to see an objective, a reason for which it would be worth to spend time and energy.
Furthermore, the mapping allowed discovering that in some countries such as Sweden and Cyprus,
where co-operatives do not work in the pharmacy field yet, but where this sector is experiencing a
moment of changes and is being opened to private actors. Obviously, the national co-operative
movements are trying to take advantage of these moments, but they expressed the need of getting in
touch with the experiences of other countries.
The co-operative actors of the pharmacy field need to be gathered together, to become aware of their
potential, to exchange experiences and opinions, to put their strengths together and begin to think of
common interests and strategies.
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17. ANNEX 1: QUESTIONNAIRE
MAPPING: CO-OPERATIVES IN THE PHARMACY SECTOR
DATA ABOUT YOUR ORGANISATION: PLEASE, SPECIFY AT LEAST NAME, COUNTRY, ADDRESS, CONTACT
PERSON. BESIDES, PLEASE BRIEFLY DESCRIBE YOUR ACTIVITY AND YOUR RELATIONSHIP TO COOPERATIVES
EUROPE’S MEMBER.
Name
Country Italy
Address
Contact
1. WHICH ARE THE EXISTING CATEGORIES IN YOUR COUNTRY?
A. Co-operative pharmacies
B. Buying co-operatives in the pharmacy sector
C. Medicine manufacturer co-operatives (both direct and indirect producer)
D. Other (non co-operative) enterprises in the pharmacy sector, owned by co-operatives (50%
minimum)
E. No co-operative in the pharmacy sector
2. IF IN THE QUESTION N° 1 YOU TICKED A, B, C, OR D, PLEASE FILL IN THE FOLLOWING CHARTS AND THAN
GO TO QUESTION 4. IF IN THE FIRST QUESTION YOU ANSWERED E, GO TO QUESTION 3.
A. Co-operative pharmacies (consumer co-operatives)
Co-operative Other pharmacies Total
pharmacies
Points of sale
Employees
Employees
(pharmacists)
Members XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Turnover (year?)
B. Wholesaler/ Buying co-operatives in the pharmacy sector
Wholesaler/ Other buying Total
Buying co-ops groups
Number
Members XXXXXXXXXXXX
Served
Pharmacies
Employees
Turnover (year?)
17

18. C. Co-operatives, drug producers (both directly and indirectly)
Name Country of Employees Turnover (year?)
manufacture
1.
2.
3.
…
D. Other (non co-operative) enterprises in the pharmacy sector, owned by co-operatives
(50% minimum)
Name Share owned by Sector of activity Employees Turnover (year?)
co-operatives (%)
1.
2.
…
3. WHY ARE THERE NO CO-OPERATIVES WORKING IN THE PHARMACY SECTOR IN YOUR COUNTRY? IS THEIR
ABSENCE DUE TO LEGISLATIVE OBSTACLES?
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4. OTHER REMARKS:
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
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19. ANNEX 2: COUNTRY SHEETS
Below the country sheets fulfilled by the participants in the European Seminar “Co-operatives in the
pharmacy sector in Europe” (Rome, 30-31 March 2009).
19

20. CO-OPERATIVES WORKING IN THE PHARMACY SECTOR
BELGIUM
COUNTRY: Belgium
ORGANIZATION: OPHACO (www.ophaco.coop)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ORGANIZATION: OPHACO is constituted by 15 consumer co-operatives companies,
specifically active in the intermediary distribution (8 wholesalers, 600 pharmacies, 50 Health Products shops) of
medicines (human and animal) and health products: medical devices, medical nutrition or cosmetics. OPHACO is
one of the major founding and contributing member of the European Union of the Social Pharmacies (EUSP)
represented also in France, Italy, Poland, Portugal, The Netherlands and Switzerland.
COUNTRY LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK
In Belgium wholesalers, pharmacies and pharmacists are submitted to the European regulations, successively
transposed in the Belgian Law on one side, namely, the directive 85/433/EEC (16 09 1985) (mutual recognition
of diplomas, certificates and other evidence of formal qualifications in pharmacy, including measures to facilitate
the effective exercise of the right of establishment relating to certain activities in the field of pharmacy), the
Directive 85/432/EEC (16 09 1985) (coordination of
provisions laid down by law, regulations or administrative action in respect of certain activities in the field of
pharmacy), the directive 2001/83/EC (6 11 2001) (Community code relating to medicinal products). On the other
side, namely, the several Belgian dispositions concerning the health practitioners (Art. 4 of the royal decree n°
78 for the pharmacists), the pharmacies (royal decree of September 25th, 1974), the medicines (Law of May 1st,
2006 and royal decree of December 14th, 2006) and the pharmacist (royal decree January 21st, 2009). Other
dispositions are concerning the reimbursement of health care to the patients (including medicines) (law of July
14th, 1994 and their application dispositions). Many other legal dispositions are concerning the transparency and
the governance of companies and societies, co-operative or not.
DESCRIPTION OF THE SECTOR (FACTS & FIGURES)
Medicine distribution and dispensation are the vital link between the producers and the patients/consumers. The
actors of the medicines sector in Belgium are the producers (400 medicines or medical devices manufacturers or
representing producers companies), wholesalers (16 companies), Pharmacies (5.200). 80% of the consumption
depends from abroad. The compulsory social protection covers 50% of the health products market for which the
average patient level of co-payment is about 1/5.
ROLE OF THE CO-OPERATIVES IN THE SECTOR
Each consumer co-operatives member of OPHACO deals with the medicines ditribution and dispensation. The
market share covered by the members of OPHACO is about 20% of the sector market. This success is due to the
fact that OPHACO members are representing an alternative to the monopoly of the stand alone pharmacists’
pharmacy. Those alternatives are based on the specifi Values and Finalities of the Co-operative entrepreneurship
and of the Social Pharmacies.
STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF THE CO-OPERATIVE MOVEMENT IN THE PHARMACY SECTOR
The turnover of the medicines distribution and dispensation depends for 50% from the reimbursable medicines.
The income of the distribution and the dispensation represents respectively 5% and 15 % of the global turnover
VAT excluded. As a consequence, the dispositions aimed to reduce the public expenditure have a direct impact on
the economy of the sector. A strong point of the co-operatives is constituted by their coordinated organisation
model which permits scale economies and a global coherence of their network. As a result, the average turnover
of a co-operative pharmacy is two time higher than the average one of the stand alone pharmacy. This indicates
the global satisfaction of their 2.2 million co-operators. The competence of the pharmacies teams through their in
company continued training constitutes a major strong point strengthening the co-operative pharmacy. A
weakness is actually constituted by the difficulties to recruit pharmacists, a global problem of the sector.
THE MAJOR CO-OPERATIVE ENTERPRISES OF THE COUNTRY IN THE PHARMACY SECTOR
SCRL MULTIPHARMA CVBA, PHARMACIES POPULAIRES LIEGEOISES SCRL, CV VOORUIT, CV DE VOORZORG
HASSELT, CV DE VOORZORG MECHELEN, PHARMACIES POPULAIRES “ LA SAUVEGARD ” SC, LES PHARMACIES
DU PEUPLE SCRL, V-PHARMA, EPC, CVBA VIVANTIA, VZW M.S.I. ROESELARE-TIELT , VZW APOTHEKEN DE
VOLKSMACHT IEPER, CV APOTHEEK IN HET ZWAARD, DE LINDEBOOM APOTHEEK, CV DE VOLKSMACHT
TURNHOUT.
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21. FUTURE PRIORITIES AND STRATEGIES
The priorities of the Belgian co-operative Pharmacies and Wholesalers for the next months are:
- The new system of payment of the pharmacist and the wholesaler;
- The traceability of the medicines from the producer to the patient;
- The new Information and Communication technologies: electronic prescription, memories and data
transmission;
The strategies remain in the expansion of the networks to reinforce the competitive advantage of the companies.
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22. CO-OPERATIVES WORKING IN THE PHARMACY SECTOR
FRANCE
COUNTRY: France
ORGANIZATION: Groupe WELCOOP
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ORGANIZATION: Groupe WELCOOP is a cooperative of more than 1700 French pharmacists
founded and managed by pharmacists for 70 years. Groupe WELCOOP changed its name in September 2008
(previously Cerp Lorraine Group). Groupe WELCOOP develops 7 business activities in Europe, all dedicated to the
pharmacists. Only pharmacists who own a pharmacy in France and in Belgium can be shareholders of Groupe
WELCOOP.
COUNTRY LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK
In France, the sector laws are grouped in the French Health Code (mainly Articles L.5124-1 to L.5124-18,
R.5124-1 to R.5124-15 and R.5124-58 to 5124-64) and the Good Distribution Practice dated 30 June 2000,
which have implemented in France the European directive 2001/83/CE of 06/11/2001 for example. The Ministry
of Health together with the French Medicines Agency (Afssaps) and the National Order of Pharmacists (Ordre
National des Pharmaciens) regulate the sector and control the medicine wholesale distribution. In addition, the
National Competition Enquiries Authorities (DGCCRF) is very active in the sector to control the application of the
new French law (loi LME): many manufacturers and pharmacies are being inspected by this State Administrative
body.
DESCRIPTION OF THE SECTOR (FACTS & FIGURES)
The major actors of the pharmaceutical chain in France are: pharmaceutical manufacturers (330 companies),
pre-wholesale/depositaries (30 companies), wholesalers (10 companies with 232 warehouses), Pharmacies
(22.600), Hospitals (3.000).
ROLE OF THE CO-OPERATIVES IN THE SECTOR
Groupe WELCOOP proposes to the 22.600 pharmacists of France to become owner of their suppliers. This new
economic model is based on 3 major grounds:
1. Computing and Management with Pharmagest Interactive, leader in France with 43% market share equipping
9.800 pharmacies in France with a complete back office solution.
2. Advice and Organization with Profidia (merchandising, pricing structure…)
3. Products Offer with generics, medicinal equipment and parallel imports with Cristers, D. Médica and Pharma
Lab.
This new economic model adds a two-way value for the pharmacists:
- increasing the margins with the right to get co-operative dividends based on a percentage on all purchase done
with the Products Offer (20% for Cristers, 4% for D. Médica, 5% for Pharma Lab);
- accessing the capital of the Group by opening the capital of the holding Welcoop Pharma.
STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF THE CO-OPERATIVE MOVEMENT IN THE PHARMACY SECTOR
With the risk of the opening of the capital of pharmacies leading to chains, the strategies of the sector become
clearer and the old models implode: consolidation of wholesale activities at European level (Millenium), wholesale
competition at national level in areas where historically co-operatives were lonely (Cerp Rouen, Cerp Rhin Rhône
Méditerranée), connections with Group of pharmacies (CERPenthès), disengagement of the historic wholesale
business activity (Cerp Lorraine sold to Phoenix Pharma) and introduction of a new economic model (Groupe
Welcoop).
THE MAJOR CO-OPERATIVE ENTERPRISES OF THE COUNTRY IN THE PHARMACY SECTOR
Excepting Groupe WELCOOP, the other of co-operatives working in the pharmacy sector in France deal with the
medicine distribution and are members of the Chambre Syndicale de la Répartition Pharmaceutique (CSRP): CERP
Rouen (Astera), CERP Bretagne Nord, CERP Rhin Rhône Méditerranée.
FUTURE PRIORITIES AND STRATEGIES
Find the model of tomorrow to allow the pharmacists to remain competitive, liberal and independent.
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23. CO-OPERATIVES WORKING IN THE PHARMACY SECTOR
GREECE
COUNTRY: Greece
ORGANIZATION: OSFE
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ORGANIZATION: OSFE Represents 27 co-operatives and 18 soc. Anonyms. Members –
shareholders of these 45 companies are 5.600 pharmacists who own a pharmacy.
COUNTRY LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK:
The activity of storage and distribution of pharmaceutical products for human use only is governed by the law
which is adjusted to community law on “the distribution of products for human use only”. Most of our companies
– members are certified at ISO & CE.
DESCRIPTION OF THE SECTOR (FACTS & FIGURES):
The actors of the pharmaceutical chain in Greece are: 283 pharmaceutical manufacturers and agency
distributors, 4 logisticious, 148 wholesalers (45 co-operatives and 103 private sector) and 10.300 pharmacies
ROLE OF THE CO-OPERATIVES IN THE SECTOR: the market share covered by the members of OSFE is about 51%. The
annual turnover of 2008 was 2.3 billion euro.
STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF THE CO-OPERATIVE MOVEMENT IN THE PHARMACY SECTOR:
The powerful weapon of co-operatives is the number of 5.600 pharmacies – members as well as the service we
provide to them. The problem of our co-operatives is the invested capital and the bureaucratic entanglements
causing difficulties to get quick decisions and adapt to new arrangements fast. The problem of funding and
fluidity of the insurance system creates pressure for new government decisions, directing in limitation of
expenditure. The trend of big manufacturers for direct to the pharmacy is another problem for us.
THE MAJOR CO-OPERATIVE ENTERPRISES OF THE COUNTRY IN THE PHARMACY SECTOR:
The major services that co-operatives offer to pharmacies are: information services, training, merchandising
services and crm and from the 1st June 2009 we will start the advertisement of products using display screens,
returning profit to pharmacies and home management by OSFE. Also, within 2009 we will begin indication of
5.600 pharmacies as a virtual chain under the name of “Green Pharmacy”. Finally OSFE has developed a service
of providing statistical information of the market which sells to producers and 68 from the make use of this tool,
either displacing IMS or in combination with the data of IMS, a service which provides an important income for
the co-operatives.
FUTURE PRIORITIES AND STRATEGIES:
A. Building the virtual chain “Green Pharmacy”
B. Our entry in logistics services on behalf of our big suppliers
C. The continuous battle in collaboration with the associations of pharmacists and PGEU for maintening of
property arrangement of pharmacies in the hands of pharmaciests.
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24. CO-OPERATIVES WORKING IN THE PHARMACY SECTOR
ITALY
COUNTRY: Italy
ORGANIZATION: Federfarma Servizi, National Association of Service Societies for Pharmacies
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ORGANIZATION: Federfarma Servizi represents 34 Companies, most of which are co-
operatives in the intermediary distribution of drugs. Only societies whose members are pharmacy owners can
be members of the association.
COUNTRY LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK
In Italy the sector laws are grouped in the legislative decree n. 219/06 (implementation of the EU directives in
relation to the European rules concerning medicines for human use). It is a Consolidated Law containing the
rules concerning all the phases of the life of a medicine. The Title VII regulates the medicine wholesale
distribution.
DESCRIPTION OF THE SECTOR (FACTS & FIGURES)
Medicine distribution is the makes the bridge between the medicine production and dispensation to the
patient/customer.
The actors of the pharmaceutical chain in Italy are: pharmaceutical manufacturers (about 230 companies),
dealers/depositaries (about 130 companies), transport and logistic companies (about 5.000 companies),
intermediary distributors (wholesalers, 245 companies), Pharmacies (17.000).
ROLE OF THE CO-OPERATIVES IN THE SECTOR
The great majority of co-operatives working in the pharmacy sector in Italy deals with the medicine distribution
and are members of Federfarma Servizi. The market share covered by the members of Federfarma Servizi is of
about 30%.
STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF THE CO-OPERATIVE MOVEMENT IN THE PHARMACY SECTOR
Regardless of the juridical form of distribution companies, the crucial problems of the sector derive from the rules
issued to reduce the public expenditure on medicines. A weakness of co-operatives could be a lower investment
capacity, due to the fact that they dispose of fewer capitals than the private enterprises. The major strength of
co-operatives in the pharmacy sector is the equal treatment of the members, regardless of their profits; this
element, if correctly perceived, generates a strong loyalty among the members, which sensibly strengthen the co-
operative.
THE MAJOR CO-OPERATIVE ENTERPRISES OF THE COUNTRY IN THE PHARMACY SECTOR
These are the major services that co-operatives offer to pharmacies: Merchandising services (equipment
layout, product layout, display, suggestions for an optimal use of the shop space), home-care (home
delivery services for patients), training (training sessions), information services.
One of the most relevant co-operatives working as medicine distributor is CEF (Cooperativa Esercenti Farmacia,
co-operative of pharmacy shopkeepers); it works in the provinces around Brescia and it has an extremely high
loyalty level among its members.
FUTURE PRIORITIES AND STRATEGIES
One of the priorities of the Italian co-operatives working in the pharmaceutical sector is to “build a network”,
which means to support forms of integration to strengthen services already implemented and to create new ones.
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25. CO-OPERATIVES WORKING IN THE PHARMACY SECTOR
PORTUGAL
COUNTRY: Portugal
ORGANIZATION: FECOFAR- Federation of Pharmaceutical Distribution Cooperatives
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ORGANIZATION: FECOFAR represents 3 Cooperatives, Cofanor, Cooprofar and Udifar Group,
which members are pharmacy owners.
COUNTRY LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK
After the National implementation of the EU directives concerning medicines for human use, new legislation
about Pharmacy Ownership was recently introduced, such as:
Decreto-Lei 307/2007, 31st August and Portarias 1427, 1428, 1429, 1430/2007, 2nd November
a. Liberalise pharmacy ownership (not included Industry, Doctors and Wholesalers) until the limit of 4
pharmacies per person/company
b. Pharmacies will be permitted to sell some medicines over the internet allowing the users to buy while staying
at home.
c. News Services at Pharmacy
d. The present network Pharmacies will be enlarged. The minimum distance between Pharmacies will be reduced
from the present 500m to just 350m and the minimum population to be served per Pharmacy will decrease from
4000 to 3500.
DESCRIPTION OF THE SECTOR (FACTS & FIGURES)
The actors of the pharmaceutical chain in Portugal are: pharmaceutical manufacturers (about 280 companies),
wholesalers (7 full-line wholesalers companies, representing 89,44% of market share), Pharmacies (about 2800).
ROLE OF THE CO-OPERATIVES IN THE SECTOR
Most of National Cooperatives working in the pharmacy sector in Portugal are full-liner wholesalers,
and are members of FECOFAR. The market share covered by cooperatives is about 42,98%, which 35% are
FECOFAR’s members.
STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF THE CO-OPERATIVE MOVEMENT IN THE PHARMACY SECTOR
The legal cooperative model in Portugal, imposes strong restrictions on access to capital factor. The Cooperative
wholesale distribution’s main propose has been the Independent Pharmacy. Concerning the recent legislation and
the future changing perspectives (about pharmacy liberalization), this propose will be threatened. So, the
Cooperatives must themselves adapt to this new reality, gathering their strengths on loyalty and sense of
belonging. The globalization of markets emphasizes the need for partnerships to allow a global response.
THE MAJOR CO-OPERATIVE ENTERPRISES OF THE COUNTRY IN THE PHARMACY SECTOR
In Portugal there are concentration’s movements in the Cooperative Sector. Udifar was born from the merging of
the two largest cooperatives (Codifar and União), with 18,06% market share. The former cooperatives Farbeira,
Cofarbel and Farcentro have also merged and represent today Plural (non- member of FECOFAR) with 7,44%.
The remaining cooperatives, Cofanor and Cooprofar have respectively, 8,32% and 9,16% of market share.
FUTURE PRIORITIES AND STRATEGIES
One of the priorities of the Portuguese cooperatives working in the pharmaceutical sector is to “build a network”,
which means to support forms of integration and to gain market share and cover all national territory.
Concerning the markets globalization and the importance of global response in this sector, FECOFAR is, among
Italy, Turkey, France and soon Spain and Germany, member of SECOF- European Society of Pharmaceutical
Cooperatives.
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26. CO-OPERATIVES WORKING IN THE PHARMACY SECTOR
SWEDEN
COUNTRY: Sweden
ORGANIZATION: Coompanion
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ORGANIZATION:
Through Coompanions work and knowledge of cooperative enterprising – the form of enterprise of this century –
we have helped many cooperative enterprises to start and to be successful. If you wants to start a cooperative
enterprise Coompanion’s advisers can also help you with start-up and development. Our advice is free of charge.
COUNTRY LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK
In Sweden the phenomenon of public pharmacies started already in the beginning of the 16th century (1500).
Until 1970, the Swedish pharmacies was managed by single pharmacists, who had special letter of privileges
from the state. Since 1970, the state owned company Apoteket AB has been the only legal pharmacy in Sweden
and has had monopoly on retailing of medicine since then.
DESCRIPTION OF THE SECTOR (FACTS & FIGURES)
Apoteket AB is 100% owned by the state of Sweden and consists of around 900 pharmacies all around
Sweden. In December 2006 the government submitted an investigation in order to re-regulate the pharmacy
market and open it up for competition. The aim was to cancel the monopoly from January 2009, but the latest
information rather states that this will be reality in mid 2009.
ROLE OF THE CO-OPERATIVES IN THE SECTOR
there are for the present no cooperative pharmacy in Sweden but an ongoing discussion and process for
establishing a cooperative pharmacy movement.
STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF THE CO-OPERATIVE MOVEMENT IN THE PHARMACY SECTOR
there are for the present no cooperative pharmacy in Sweden
THE MAJOR CO-OPERATIVE ENTERPRISES OF THE COUNTRY IN THE PHARMACY SECTOR
there are for the present no cooperative pharmacy in Sweden
FUTURE PRIORITIES AND STRATEGIES
Coompanion (Cooperative Development Agencies in Sweden) together with SERUS has started an initiative of
establishment of a cooperative pharmacy movement in order to establish the necessary knowlegde, platform and
support for employers to start cooperative pharmacies when the monopoly end. Since we do not have any
experience in this, we would very much appreciate any information, fact or results from cooperative pharmacy
movement in Europe.
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27. CONTACT
MIRKO NODARI
COOPERATIVES EUROPE
EUROPEAN HOUSE OF CO-OPERATIVES
Ave Milcamps, 105
1030 Brussels
Tel: (+32/2) 743 10 33
Fax: (32/2) 743 10 39
m.nodari@coopseurope.coop
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