North America e-Pharmacy Market Analysis

E-pharmacies can effectively address a number of customers' issues such as comprehensive information on drugs or alternatives for the prescription drug, easy access for the medicines that are otherwise hard to find, medicine records, and others. With the help of e-pharmacies, consumers can order the drugs conveniently from their smartphone or computer.

Owing to the increasing adoption of e-pharmacy services by a large population group in North America, pharmaceutical companies are focusing on launching e-pharmacy or digital pharmacy services in the region. For instance, in March 2020, Digital Health and Supply Chain Entrepreneurs launched Genius Rx, a full-service, fully automated digital pharmacy. On June 25, 2020, Medicure Inc. launched a direct-to-patient online pharmacy program for the distribution of ZYPITAMAG in the U.S. This program will help the company to offer services at reduced costs, including no retail pharmacy filling fees, and increase the availability of products.

North America E-pharmacy Market - Impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic

Due to the outbreak of COVID-19 in December 2019, the disease has spread to over 100 countries across the globe and the World Health Organization has declared it a public health emergency. According to the World Health Organization’s report, the manifestation of coronavirus (COVID-19) has resulted in more than 14 million infected individuals worldwide as of July, 2020. The lockdown in various countries due to the COVID 19 pandemic has created economic burden on the private healthcare sectors such as pharmaceutical industries, specialty clinics, pharmacy stores, and others. Despite such economic slowdown in the healthcare sector, digital healthcare sectors such as e-health, e-pharmacy, and e-prescription experienced significant growth during this COVID 19 pandemic. The growth of e-pharmacy sector is attributed to the increasing consumer preference for online buying of medicinal products from online pharmacy stores with an aim to maintain social distancing. Moreover, restricted outdoor movement except for supplying and procuring essential goods and services including medicinal products, and increasing demand for hand sanitizers and face masks have accelerated growth of the North America e-pharmacy market

The North America e-pharmacy market is estimated to be valued at US$ 31,030.0 Million in 2020 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 18.2% during the forecast period (2020-2027).

Figure 1: North America E-pharmacy Market Share (%) Analysis, By Product Type, 2020

North America E-pharmacy Market - Restraints

Occurrences of substance abuse are expected to hinder growth of the North America e-pharmacy market. Easy availability of controlled prescription drugs such as stimulants, anxiolytics, narcotic painkillers, and sedative hypnotics through online retail platforms can result in higher instances of substance abuse, which in turn can be a major public health concern. Moreover, presence of a large number of rogue/illegal e-pharmacies reduce customer trust, which can hinder growth of the market. There is a large number of false or illegitimate e-pharmacies, which do not abide by the government regulations. Such pharmacies provide medication and do not require doctor’s prescription nor the patient’s medical history. As a result, there are increasing instances of falsified drug deliveries, which are hampering the trust of consumers about purchasing their prescription drugs online.

North America E-pharmacy Market Report Coverage

Report Coverage	Details
Base Year:	2019	Market Size in 2019:	US$ 1,029.97 Mn
Historical Data for:	2016 to 2019	Forecast Period:	2020 to 2027
Forecast Period 2020 to 2027 CAGR:	18.2%	2027 Value Projection:	US$ 99,981.7 Mn
Geographies covered:	North America: U.S. and Canada
Segments covered:	By Product Type: Prescription (Rx), Over-the-counter.
Companies covered:	CVS Caremark, Zur Rose Group AG, PlanetRX.com Inc., Walgreen Company, Familymeds, Inc, Medisave, The Kroger Co., Cigna, Optum Rx, Inc, and Giant Eagle
Growth Drivers:	Emergence of new e-pharmacy platforms in the U.S. The rising adoption of internet and smartphones, and convenience offered by e-pharmacy services
Restraints & Challenges:	Substance abuse and high costs involved in R&D of e-pharmacy technology-based services

North America E-pharmacy Market – Country Analysis

On the basis of country, the North America e-pharmacy market is segmented into the U.S. and Canada. The U.S is expected to witness significant growth in the North America e-pharmacy market, owing to launching of new e-pharmacy platform in the country. For instance, in December 2019, MedExpress, a British e-pharmacy, announced the launch of its American franchise, Zip Health, to dispense drugs online in the U.S. in the first quarter of 2020. On June 25, 2020, Medicure Inc. launched an online pharmacy program for the distribution of ZYPITAMAG in the U.S. This program will help the company to provide services at reduced costs, including no retail pharmacy filling/dispensing fees, and increase the availability of products.

Figure 2: North America E-pharmacy Market Value (US$ mn) & Y-o-Y Growth (%), 2017-2027

North America E-pharmacy Market - Competitive Landscape

Key players operating in the North America e-pharmacy market include CVS Caremark, Zur Rose Group AG, PlanetRX.com Inc., Walgreen Company, Familymeds, Inc, Medisave, The Kroger Co., Cigna, Optum Rx, Inc, and Giant Eagle.