Industry Statistics and Trends
Market size and recent performance (2013-2028)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 2.3 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $24.9bn in 2023.
Trends and Insights
Higher pharmaceutical consumption drives industry growth
- The number of human-use and veterinary pharmaceutical and medicinal products consumed in Australia has grown steadily in recent years.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Favourable socio-demographics will bolster volumes distributed
- Long-term economic, demographic and social trends will support the industry in the coming years. An ageing population, higher incidences of chronic disease and changing consumer attitudes to health and wellbeing will drive volume growth, with industry wholesalers expected to distribute greater volumes of prescription, over-the-counter and complementary medicines.
Biggest companies in the Pharmaceuticals Wholesaling in Australia
| Company | Market Share (%)
2025 | Revenue ($m)
2025 |
|---|---|---|
Sigma Healthcare | 4,630.0 | |
EBOS | 4,450.0 | |
Wesfarmers | 4,225.0 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 5 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including PBS pharmaceuticals, Other human-use medications and Veterinary pharmaceuticals. PBS pharmaceuticals is the largest segment of the Pharmaceuticals Wholesaling in Australia.
Trends and Insights
Ongoing reforms curb PBS pharmaceuticals revenue streams
- Pharmaceutical wholesalers distribute approximately 5,260 brands as part of the PBS. Traditionally, wholesaler remuneration for PBS products has been derived from a regulated percentage mark-up of the PBS price and a share of the Community Service Obligation (CSO) funding pool, which is based on wholesalers' share of the volume of medicines dispensed.
- More insights available in the full report
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Industry firms wholesale pharmaceutical products, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and complementary or alternative medicines. Pharmaceutical wholesalers also wholesale veterinary drugs and medicines. Pharmaceuticals are obtained from upstream manufacturers and distributed to hospitals, veterinarians and retail outlets like pharmacies and supermarkets.
What's included in this industry?
PBS pharmaceuticals Non-PBS pharmaceuticalsVeterinary pharmaceuticalsOTC drugsAlternative medicinesCompanies
Sigma HealthcareEBOSWesfarmersPurchase this report to view all 5 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
SCHEDULE 2SCHEDULE 3OVER-THE-COUNTER (OTC) DRUGSCOMMUNITY SERVICE OBLIGATION (CSO)F1 FORMULARYF2 FORMULARYSECTION 85 MEDICINESEX-MANUFACTURER PRICEIndustry Code
ANZSIC 3720 - Pharmaceuticals Wholesaling in Australia
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Changes to the industry's operating environment and ongoing reforms to the PBS have restrained the industry's performance in recent years. In response, pharmaceutical wholesa...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
- Employees, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
- Businesses, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
- Profit, including historical (2013-2023)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Product portfolios are changing in line with shifting operating conditions, including ongoing regulatory changes and wholesale bypass trends. Pharmaceutical wholesalers have ...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2023
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2023
- Major market segmentation in 2023
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
Pharmaceutical wholesalers tend to be located on Australia's eastern seaboard. This trend reflects Australia's economic and population distribution and the location of upstre...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2023
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2023
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2023
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2023
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2023
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Asia Pacific, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Product mix influences the competitive strategies that pharmaceutical wholesalers employ. This includes the ratio of prescription products to OTC products, the proportion of ...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2018-2023
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
The industry comprises full-line wholesalers, short-line wholesalers, buying groups and pharmaceutical manufacturers using third-party logistics providers. Despite this, the ...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2019 through 2023
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2023
- Overview of Sigma Healthcare's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
- Overview of EBOS's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
- Overview of Wesfarmers's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 2 additional companies
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Sigma Healthcare, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for EBOS, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Wesfarmers, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for 2 additional companies
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
The PBS dominates the industry’s operating backdrop. Pharmaceutical wholesalers distribute approximately 5,260 PBS-listed brands, among other pharmaceutical and medicinal pro...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2013-2028)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2013-2028)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Industry profit margins are low, although they’re often higher for more specialised short-line and veterinary pharmaceutical wholesalers. Intense competition and a strict reg...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2023
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2023
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2013-2028)
- Revenue per Employee (2013-2028)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2013-2028)
- Employees per Establishment (2013-2028)
- Employees per Enterprise (2013-2028)
- Average Wage (2013-2028)
- Wages/Revenue (2013-2028)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2013-2028)
- IVA/Revenue (2013-2028)
- Imports/Demand (2013-2028)
- Exports/Revenue (2013-2028)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2013-2028)
- IVA (2013-2028)
- Establishments (2013-2028)
- Enterprises (2013-2028)
- Employment (2013-2028)
- Exports (2013-2028)
- Imports (2013-2028)
- Wages (2013-2028)
Top Questions Answered
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Pharmaceuticals Wholesaling industry in Australia in 2024?
The market size of the Pharmaceuticals Wholesaling industry in Australia is $24.9bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Pharmaceuticals Wholesaling in Australia industry in 2023?
There are 1,516 businesses in the Pharmaceuticals Wholesaling industry in Australia, which has grown at a CAGR of 0.6 % between 2018 and 2023.
Has the Pharmaceuticals Wholesaling industry in Australia grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Pharmaceuticals Wholesaling industry in Australia has been growing at a CAGR of 2.3 % between 2018 and 2023.
What is the forecast growth of the Pharmaceuticals Wholesaling industry in Australia over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Pharmaceuticals Wholesaling industry in Australia is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Pharmaceuticals Wholesaling market in Australia?
The biggest companies operating in the Pharmaceuticals Wholesaling market in Australia are Sigma Healthcare, EBOS and Wesfarmers
What does the Pharmaceuticals Wholesaling in Australia include?
PBS pharmaceuticals and Non-PBS pharmaceuticals are part of the Pharmaceuticals Wholesaling industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Pharmaceuticals Wholesaling in Australia?
The company holding the most market share in Australia is Sigma Healthcare.
How competitive is the Pharmaceuticals Wholesaling industry in Australia?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Pharmaceuticals Wholesaling industry in Australia.
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Complementors
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Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in Australia include:
- Australian Bureau of Statistics
- Australian Taxation Office
- Australian Securities & Investments Commission
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
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