Key figures for e-commerce in France unveiled by government website demonstrate the importance of the digital market in all areas of activity, health including.

Since the Covid 19 health crisis, consumer habits have shifted towards online shopping. This trend is set to continue, as the French have now embraced e-commerce as an easy way to access healthcare products and services. 

Overview of the healthcare e-commerce market

The healthcare sector has inevitably had to adapt to these new consumer habits. Many pharmacies have created their own e-commerce sites. A website is a real showcase for your business. It has become an essential solution for improving visibility and developing sales.

Health articles 

Health e-commerce sites include catalogs with thousands of references. The French not only find their favorite brands, they also discover special offers, new products and more.

The health and parapharmacy sectors are booming. It would be a shame for pharmacy professionals to miss out on this opportunity. What's more, stock management is made easier thanks to high-performance software.

Consumers buy : 

• parapharmacy products (beauty, hygiene, care, etc.)
• over-the-counter drugs

Online services

The trend is certainly towards the purchase of parapharmacy items, but services are not left behind. In fact, pharmacies are multiplying their offerings in order to broaden their customer base in search of convenience and time savings.

You can find : 

• Click & Collect
• online ordering and home delivery
• video consultation
• sending the prescription via the website

Key figures and statistics on the growth of the digital healthcare industry

The healthcare e-commerce market has grown significantly in recent years thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, which of course played a major role. Healthcare e-commerce now meets a need linked to new consumer buying habits.

Digital applications for the sale of pharmaceutical products are exploding on the Net. Health professionals have all understood the importance of following the trend and giving visibility to their pharmacy. Statista's Health Market Outlook forecasts that digital sales will continue to grow. The rate of increase between 2021 and 2025 is estimated at 60 %.

Global e-health sales are estimated at 78 billion euros! 

Including around 22 billion euros for France!

Sales for healthcare applications alone are estimated at 2 billion euros in 2025. This represents + 77 % over 4 years!!!! As for online medical consultations and the sale of over-the-counter drugs, these represent market revenues. The e-health market is therefore gigantic. Professionals can no longer ignore it. They must adapt and evolve towards this digital concept.

Trends and innovations 

The field of healthcare e-commerce is constantly evolving, with new trends and innovations emerging all the time.

Pharmacy professionals must become the healthcare players of tomorrow. The digital transformation of e-health is linked to :  

• aging population
• the increase in chronic diseases
• the daily integration of digital technology in the home
• Facing up to the competition

Online prescription

Many pharmacies now offer their customers an online prescription service.  The patient scans or photographs his prescription and transfers it to the online prescription module. He chooses the day and date of collection from the pharmacy. The pharmacist prepares the order. Patients can then go directly to the counter reserved for this service to collect their medication. 

Simple, practical and fast! 

Teleconsultation

Telemedicine is booming. It enables patients to consult doctors and specialists remotely by videoconference. The epidemiological episode we have just been through has attracted a clientele fearful of contamination. Faced with a medical desert and the difficulty of obtaining appointments, teleconsultation has become an emergency solution for many.  We are pleased to report that 88 % of patients are satisfied with their remote consultation. Teleconsultation therefore has excellent development prospects.

Digital therapies via connected objects

Whether it's for practicing a sport or just getting active, there are many connected objects on the market.

Today, all generations are equipped with connected devices that provide real-time information on : 

• their number of steps
• their heart rate
• their saturation level
• their blood pressure

Applications can advise patients on how to improve their day-to-day lives, depending on their illness (diabetes, cardio, etc.). As the market continues to grow, we can expect to see even more innovative developments in the years to come.

The main lines of action of the digital health acceleration strategy

October 2021, the government has set up a future investment program to promote the development of innovative, digital healthcare solutions.

The "Digital Health" program aims to: 

• contribute to the deployment of high-level digital healthcare
• to set up experiments
• encourage the training of the next generation in new technologies
• strengthen cybersecurity in this business sector

Challenges and opportunities for companies operating in the e-health market.

Online healthcare presents both challenges and opportunities for the medical sector. On the one hand, competition on the web is intense, with numerous players vying for a share of the pie.

On the other hand, there's huge potential for growth, as more and more consumers turn to online channels.
To succeed in this market, companies need to keep abreast of the latest trends and be ready to invest in new technologies and strategies.

They also need to be aware of regulatory requirements and ethical considerations, such as data confidentiality.

Online drug sales

The online sale of medicines has been authorized in France since 2013. It is, of course, reserved for non-prescription drugs. Pharmacists interested in setting up an online store must first register with the ARS (Agence régionale de santé).

Medical remedies for sale on the web are experiencing a significant boom, as they provide consumers with accessibility and convenience.
➤ Sales can only be made on the pharmacy's official website.

Online sales of parapharmacy products

Every year, more and more people shop online. Healthcare e-commerce could only follow the trend. E-commerce sites for pharmaceutical products have become ultra-present on the web. They represent a new sales channel and an interesting communication tool.

The online offering is wide-ranging, with all kinds of categories: 

• health
• hygiene and care
• mom & baby
• nature & bio
• sport
• solar ray
• veterinary products
• cosmetics and beauty
• nutrition & line
• dietary supplements
• man

All French and international brands are represented. The consumer therefore has an overview of the pharmacy's product range. They're sure to find what they're looking for.

Social networks and health e-commerce 

Advertising your pharmacy is not permitted on social networks. Encouraging consumers to use medicines is strictly forbidden. On the other hand, parapharmacy products may be displayed, provided of course that the rules of professional conduct are respected. Social networks are an excellent way of building loyalty among your customers, who are addicted to this form of communication.  Here you can inform your customers and inevitably drive traffic to your site.

The main healthcare e-commerce markets 

For consumers, healthcare e-commerce offers many advantages. They can compare prices on several sales platforms and find cheaper products. Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs are also very popular, as they are available both online and in stores. 

Care, hygiene and beauty products are growing fast, especially cosmetics such as creams, lotions and perfumes. Finally, medical devices and online medical services are increasingly in demand. 

Sector outlook 

Healthcare e-commerce is a sector that presents major challenges, but also enormous opportunities.  The digitization of healthcare is a trend that is only accelerating, and the prospects are rich.

Indeed, this sector is enjoying growing demand, and the benefits it offers are highly prized by consumers.  Online medicines and care products are increasingly in demand, and new technologies such as health apps and personalized assistance services are developing at a surprising speed.  Companies investing in e-health are encouraged by regulatory authorities, accelerating the pace of innovation and bringing new products and services to market.

Long-term prospects are very attractive. The digitalization of healthcare and healthcare e-commerce are two trends that will continue to develop over the coming years.

Medical-related businesses (pharmacies, opticians, etc.) have realized the advantages that the web offers them, particularly in terms of cost and efficiency.

A website is : 

• better visibility
• improved company reputation
• an increase in traffic 
• sales development

Itekcom, expert in the creation of "health" e-commerce sites

Itekcom has been present in the healthcare e-commerce market since 2005. Working alongside healthcare professionals of all kinds (pharmacists, laboratories, dentists, veterinarians, opticians, etc.), Itekcom has adapted to new consumer trends, offering high-performance, innovative solutions.

Itekcom has surrounded itself with a multi-disciplinary team to carry out each project in its entirety. It has brought together in a single location all the trades involved in the creation of customized websites: graphic designers, developers, SEO, etc. 

A project, a development idea? Get in touch with us. 

Healthcare e-commerce has a bright future ahead of it. Convenience, efficiency and confidentiality are undoubtedly the reasons for this growing success! Follow the trend and create your own health e-commerce site.