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New EcoAustria study shows: online pharmacies could save Austria's economy up to EUR 620 million a year.

A recent study commissioned by Redcare Pharmacy/Shop 

 and conducted by the economic research institute 

 has examined the macroeconomic impact of online medicine sales in Austria. The findings reveal that digital distribution channels not only facilitate access to medicines but also generate significant economic benefits.

Limited access to pharmacies in rural areas.

People in rural regions face considerable challenges when it comes to accessing medicines. Previous analyses show that around 296,000 people have to travel more than ten minutes to reach the nearest pharmacy – a problem that is set to worsen in the future.

"In addition, the number of people aged 65 and over is rising, while the number of pharmacies is not increasing at the required rate. This particularly affects people with limited mobility and those with chronic illnesses who rely on regular access to medication. At the same time, the lack of pharmacies in these areas leads to additional costs for working people and young adults due to time lost," says Martina Egger, Director, Country Management Austria at Redcare Pharmacy/Shop Apotheke.

Economic relief of up to EUR 620 million per year.

In light of these challenges, online medicine sales not only offer valuable relief but also serve as a positive driver for the economy as a whole. According to the study, the time saved by eliminating travel to pharmacies amounts to around 5.5 million hours annually. When converted into productive working hours, this translates into an increase in household income of EUR 82 million per year in Austria. The state also benefits from additional tax and levy revenues of around EUR 59 million annually.

"In total, this results in an economic benefit of approximately EUR 141 million – and that is just for people who currently have to travel more than ten minutes to reach a pharmacy. If we also consider those who already have a pharmacy nearby but can still save time by purchasing online, the overall societal gain rises to an impressive EUR 620 million per year," explains Wolfgang Schwarzbauer, Head of the Regional Economic Policy and Foreign Trade Research Department at EcoAustria.

Easing pressure on the healthcare system and driving innovation.

Beyond time savings, allowing prescription medicines to be sold by online pharmacies could generate further positive economic effects for the healthcare system as a whole. Improved medicine distribution and closer monitoring of medication intake could help reduce medication errors and lower healthcare costs in the long run. People with chronic illnesses should be able to receive regular consultations via telepharmacy services, which could reduce emergency treatments and hospital stays. Moreover, telepharmacy and telemedicine offer a boost for health IT and technological innovation.

"If online pharmacies are not permitted to sell prescription medicines, it will not only result in economic costs but also mean missed opportunities for advancing digital healthcare services in Austria," concludes Schwarzbauer.

The complete EcoAustria study can be downloaded here under Position Papers & Documents: 

https://www.redcare-pharmacy.com/about-us/public-affairs

Originally founded in 2001, Redcare Pharmacy N.V. (formerly known as Shop Apotheke Europe N.V.) today is the leading e-pharmacy in Europe, currently active in seven countries: Germany, Austria, France, Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands and Switzerland.

Headquartered in Sevenum, close to the Dutch city of Venlo and in the heart of Europe, the company has locations in Cologne, Berlin, Munich, Tongeren, Warsaw, Milan, Lille and Eindhoven.

As the one-stop pharmacy of the future, Redcare Pharmacy offers over 12 million active customers a wide range of more than 150,000 products at attractive and fair prices. Besides OTC, nutritional supplements, beauty and personal care products (BPC) as well as an extensive assortment of health-related products in all markets, the company also provides prescription drugs for customers in Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands.

Pharmaceutical safety is of top priority. Being a pharmacy at its core, Redcare stands for comprehensive pharmaceutical consultation service. Since care is at the heart of everything Redcare does, the company provides services for all stages of life and health. This ranges from its marketplaces to unique delivery options and medication management.

Redcare Pharmacy N.V. has been listed on the Regulated Market of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (Prime Standard) since 2016. As of 19 June 2023, the company is a member of the MDAX selection index.

EcoAustria is an independent economic research institute based in Vienna. Since 2012, the institute has been actively contributing to Austria’s research landscape. Its research programme focuses particularly on the ex-ante and ex-post evaluation of economic and social policy measures. EcoAustria conducts independent, evidence-based economic research and provides high-quality analyses to support decision-making in politics and business, as well as to foster a scientifically grounded public debate. With this approach, EcoAustria has successfully established itself at both national and international levels.

EcoAustria receives research funding from the Austrian National Bank (OeNB) under its Economic Research Funding Programme for the period 2025–2027. This support confirms both the scientific excellence and societal relevance of the institute’s research and further strengthens its role as a key player in economic policy discussions.

A recent study commissioned by Redcare Pharmacy/Shop Apotheke and conducted by the economic research institute EcoAustria has examined the macroeconomic impact of online medicine sales in Austria.