OTC/ Consumer Health market Belgium with the most important distributors and importers

Table of Contents

1. Executive Summary................................................................................................................................................ 3

2. Market Definition and Scope................................................................................................................................. 3

3. Market Size and Structure......................................................................................................................................3

3.1 Market volume............................................................................................................................................... 3

3.2 Segments and dynamics................................................................................................................................. 4

3.3 Distribution channels...................................................................................................................................... 4

3.4 Language regions............................................................................................................................................ 4

4. Key Market Players.................................................................................................................................................5

4.1 Manufacturers and brand owners.................................................................................................................. 5

4.2 Wholesalers, chains and retailers...................................................................................................................5

5. Market Opportunities for Foreign Suppliers..........................................................................................................5

5.1 Branded products...........................................................................................................................................5

5.2 No-name and private label.............................................................................................................................5

5.3 Entry models................................................................................................................................................... 6

6. Products and Product Groups with Good Sales Potential......................................................................................6

7. Market Access Requirements.................................................................................................................................6

7.1 Requirements by product category................................................................................................................6

7.2 Suppliers from the European Union (and EEA)............................................................................................... 7

7.3 Suppliers from non-EU Europe (UK, Switzerland, Turkey, Western Balkans, etc.).........................................7

7.4 Suppliers from outside Europe (Asia, Americas, Africa, Middle East, Oceania)..............................................8

8. Recommended Approach and Contact Strategy.................................................................................................... 8

9. Directory of Belgian Importers and Distribution Partners.....................................................................................8

9.1 Pharmaceutical wholesalers and pharmacy distribution................................................................................9

9.2 OTC and consumer health importers, distributors and brand partners.........................................................9

9.3 Pharmacy chains and para-pharmacy chains................................................................................................11

9.4 Drugstore chains........................................................................................................................................... 12

9.5 Supermarket groups (central purchasing)....................................................................................................12

9.6 Organic and natural products.......................................................................................................................13

9.7 Online pharmacies........................................................................................................................................ 13

9.8 Licensing and private-label manufacturing partners....................................................................................13

9.9 Useful associations and authorities..............................................................................................................14

10. Sources and Methodology................................................................................................................................. 14

10.1 Methodology.............................................................................................................................................. 14

10.2 Main sources...............................................................................................................................................14

1. Executive Summary

Belgium is a compact, wealthy and highly regulated consumer health market of about 11.8 million inhabitants, located at the crossroads of the Netherlands, France, Germany and Luxembourg. Its consumer health market sold through pharmacies is worth roughly €2.2–2.4 billion at retail prices, of which OTC medicines account for about 66% of value (≈ €1.5 billion). The market is mature and flat in value, while volumes are slightly declining – growth comes from premiumisation, natural and plant-based solutions, prevention, women's health, eye care and e-commerce rather than from more packs. The route to market is dominated by the pharmacy channel: all medicines – including non-prescription medicines – may only be sold in pharmacies, and Belgium has one of the densest pharmacy networks in Europe (roughly 4,700–4,900 pharmacies). Two wholesalers, Febelco (≈43%) and PHOENIX Pharma Belgium (≈30%), control most of the physical distribution. Food supplements, medical devices and cosmetics can additionally be sold through drugstores (Kruidvat, Di), para-pharmacies (Medi-Market), supermarkets (Colruyt, Delhaize, Carrefour), organic retail and online pharmacies (Newpharma, Farmaline/Redcare). For foreign suppliers, the most efficient entry model is usually a Belgian distribution or brand-partner company that holds the regulatory responsibility, obtains the pharmacy article code (CNK), runs a pharmacy field force and organises the listing with the wholesalers. Section 9 lists the relevant partners with verified contact data. Private-label opportunities exist mainly with Febelco's Febelcare label (via Axone Pharma), the drugstore chains and the supermarket groups. Key access requirements: a marketing authorisation for OTC medicines (FAMHP or EU procedures), a FOODSUP notification for every food supplement, MDR conformity for medical devices, CPNP notification for cosmetics, bilingual (Dutch/French, often also German) labelling and Belgian packaging take-back obligations. Suppliers from outside the EU additionally need an EU-based legal entity or representative for each product category (details in section 7).