Research And Markets - View The Most Up To Date Analysis Of OTC Distribution In Europe

Research and Markets (researchandmarkets.com/reports/c8787) has announced the addition of OTC Distribution in Europe - the New 2005 Edition to their offering.

(PRWEB) November 10, 2004 -- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c8787) has announced the addition of OTC Distribution in Europe - the New 2005 Edition to their offering.

This is the fifth edition of this highly regarded consultancy report, OTC distribution in Europe. First published in 1992 this report has become the most authoritative study of evolving themes and forces driving the shape of the distribution channel system for OTC medicines in Europe.

This latest 2005 edition, covering 18 European markets is the largest and most up to date strategic analysis of the supply network serving the OTC pharmaceuticals and dietary supplements markets and those of associated products in Europe. Most statistics are to 2003 and 2004

The Markets covered in this report are: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

The European non-prescription and OTC self-medication markets have now entered a new period of immense change that will unfold over the next two to three years. This is fostered by deregulation of distribution channels, continuing de-reimbursement on a large scale, abandonment of resale price maintenance, consolidation of wholesaler networks, emergence of pan-European pharmacy chains and a European Court ruling that cross border Internet and mail order services within the EU for pharmaceutical products are legal.

Pan European retail pharmacy groupings are emerging across the region either as real or virtual chains. Standard retail pricing for brands is under the pressure by private label products and undercutting by the rapid growth in Internet marketing.

Chapter 1 OTC Distribution in Europe Exploring the New Challenges
This chapter shows the market size and trends and reveals the underlying themes influencing market demand. It shows how these relate to the changing structure of distribution channel systems in Europe. Pressures for de-regulation of pharmacy ownership, prices and consumer access to medicinal products combine with retracting wholesaler and retailer margins to provide the environment for change. Increasing competition between international channel managers are driving this change. The emergence of Europe-wide pharmacy chains, the trend towards non-pharmacy access to consumer medicines and the ubiquity of the Internet are assessed.

Chapter 2 European Pharmaceutical Wholesaler Strategies Shaping the Future
Consolidation of the wholesaler sector has been on going for more than a decade. Chapter 2 explains the reasons for this process of change and explores its probable medium term impact on the structure and workings of the supply chain. Driven by cost pressures, competition and governmental intervention wholesalers are increasingly seeking to diversify geographically and at the same time invest at more profitable ends of the supply chain.

Chapter 3 Profiles of Channel managers driving change
A handful of companies are creating new models in the way healthcare products, services and information are delivered to the final user. Companies profiled are Phoenix (and Tamro), Allied UniChem, Celesio, Galenica and OPG. Boots the Chemist is a major force in the UK but has retreated from international pharmacy retailing and this report explores the reasons why.

Chapter 4 The Future of the Internet in the European Pharmaceutical and OTC Medicine Supply Chain
The Internet is playing a small but increasing role in consumer access to healthcare products and information. Recent European Commission rulings have clarified the legal position of Internet pharmacies trading across borders within the EU. The rapid growth of Internet pharmacies in Germany from none to 800 in 12 months, the emergence of multi-million euro internet pharmacies in The Netherlands, the entry of large non-pharmacy mail order companies and the appearance of major healthcare portals across Europe present significant progress for this channel since 2002.

Chapters 5 - 14 Country Analysis
Each country chapter explores the main factors influencing sales trends and category growth. It explores the regulatory issues and identifies the main manufacturers, and companies shaping the supply chain and the evolving market structure. Each chapter provides statistical information on market sizes, prices and margins and the supply chain.

Chapters 5 to 11 Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain & the UK
Chapter 12 Austria & Switzerland
Chapter 13 The Nordic Region -- Denmark, Finland, Norway & Sweden
Chapter 14 Central Europe -- Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia & Slovenia
Chapter 15 Conclusions of the Report - Future Strategies for OTC distribution in Europe

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c8787

Laura Wood
Senior Manager
Research and Markets
press@researchandmarkets.com
Fax: +353 1 4100 980

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