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

Table of Contents

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

2. Market Volume and Development................................................................................................................. 3

3. Market Structure and Distribution Channels.................................................................................................4

3.1 Dispensing categories........................................................................................................................... 4

3.2 Sales channels......................................................................................................................................4

4. Key Players................................................................................................................................................... 4

4.1 Brand owners and manufacturers..........................................................................................................4

4.2 Wholesalers and distribution partners.................................................................................................... 4

4.3 Retail.....................................................................................................................................................5

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

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

5.2 Private label / no-name..........................................................................................................................5

5.3 Challenges............................................................................................................................................. 5

6. Products and Product Groups with Good Sales Prospects...........................................................................5

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

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

7.2 Suppliers from the EU and EEA............................................................................................................. 7

7.3 Suppliers from non-EU European countries (e.g. UK, Turkey, Serbia, Ukraine)....................................7

7.4 Suppliers from outside Europe (e.g. USA, Asia, Latin America, Africa).................................................7

8. Directory of Importers and Distribution Partners...........................................................................................7

8.1 Full-line pharmaceutical wholesalers and pre-wholesalers....................................................................8

8.2 OTC, pharma and consumer-health importers and distribution partners...............................................8

8.3 Specialists for natural medicine and full-range distributors..................................................................10

8.4 Pharmacy chains and pharmacy groups..............................................................................................11

8.5 Drugstore groups and drugstore chains...............................................................................................11

8.6 Supermarket and discounter purchasing centres.................................................................................12

8.7 Organic importers and wholesalers.....................................................................................................13

8.8 Online retailers and marketplaces.......................................................................................................13

9. Recommended Market Entry Approach......................................................................................................13

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

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

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

1. Executive Summary

Switzerland is one of the most attractive and at the same time most demanding self-medication markets in Europe. Around 9 million consumers with very high purchasing power, a strong preference for quality and natural products and a dense network of pharmacies and drugstores make the market lucrative for foreign suppliers of OTC medicines, food supplements, substance-based medical devices and (dermo)cosmetics.

• Market volume: the Swiss medicines market reached CHF 8.07 billion at ex-factory prices in 2025 (+5.0 %). Of this, CHF 7.07 billion relate to medicines reimbursed by compulsory health insurance; the remaining roughly CHF 1.0 billion is largely the non-reimbursed self-medication segment. At consumer prices, the OTC pharmaceuticals market is estimated at about EUR 1.7 billion (2025), and the wider market for non-prescription health products including supplements at about EUR 1.9 billion.

• Growth: approx. 3–3.5 % p.a. expected until 2029, driven by an ageing population, a growing preference for natural products, prevention and online sales (around 19 % of OTC sales already online).

• Structure: highly concentrated – two dominant full-line wholesalers (Galexis/Galenica and Avosano), one dominant pharmacy group (Galenica with Amavita, Sun Store and Coop Vitality), a few large pharmacy and drugstore groupings, and two dominant retailers (Migros, Coop). Members of the Swiss self-medication association ASSGP represent over 74 % of OTC medicine sales.

• Market access: OTC medicines always need a Swissmedic authorisation held by a company domiciled in Switzerland; simplified procedures are available for products already authorised in the EU or other countries with comparable control. Medical devices require a Swiss authorised representative (CH-REP) – also for EU manufacturers – and registration in swissdamed. Food supplements and cosmetics can benefit from the Cassis-de-Dijon principle if they are lawfully marketed in the EU/EEA.

• Recommended route: for most foreign suppliers, the fastest route is a partnership with a Swiss OTC/consumer-health distributor that can act as marketing-authorisation holder, CH-REP or importer and that already has listings with Galexis, Avosano, the pharmacy groups and the drugstore groups (see chapter 8).