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Pharmaceutical Wholesaling in Ireland Industry Data and Analysis
The Irish pharmacy wholesaling industry is expanding, thanks to rising orders for high-value speciality medicines. A particularly prominent trend has been the marked shift towards oncology, with cancer medicines now accounting for the majority of new drug reimbursement applications. This surge in oncology is driven by an ageing population, more widespread screening and improvements in patient survival rates, which together boost the volume and frequency of medicine distribution. These dynamics favour wholesalers that can secure exclusive supply agreements for innovative medicines, allowing them to command better margins even as competition in the generic segment squeezes their profits. At the same time, large-scale vertical consolidation, exemplified by PHX Ireland’s acquisition of McCabes Pharmacy Ireland, is raising competitive barriers to entry and pushing smaller wholesalers to find a niche. Over the five years through 2026, revenue is expected to expand at a compound annual rate of 3.6% to £28.5 billion, including a rise of 5% in 2026.
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What's included in this industry analysis
IBISWorld's research coverage on the Pharmaceutical Wholesaling industry in Ireland includes market sizing, forecasting, data and analysis from 2016-2031. The most recent publication was released February 2026.
About this industry
What's this industry report about?
The Pharmaceutical Wholesaling industry in Ireland operates under the SIC industry code G46.460IE. This industry includes companies that wholesale pharmaceuticals and medical goods, including prescription medicines and equipment such as pacemakers and CT scanners. These are distributed to pharmacies, specialist retailers, hospitals, doctors and specialist medical practitioners. Related terms covered in the Pharmaceutical Wholesaling industry in Ireland include over-the-counter products , generic pharmaceutical, bio-similar pharmaceutical, health products regulatory authority (hpra) and irish medicines verification organisation.
What's included in this industry?
Products and services covered in Pharmaceutical Wholesaling industry in Ireland include Prescription medicines, Medical products, therapeutic appliances and equipment and Vaccinations and testing kits.
What companies are included in this industry?
Companies covered in the Pharmaceutical Wholesaling industry in Ireland include Uniphar Wholesale Ltd, United Drug (Wholesale) Ltd and GlaxoSmithKline (Ireland) Limited.
Performance
What's included in the Performance chapter?
The Performance chapter covers detailed analysis, datasets, detailed current performance, sources of volatility and an outlook with forecasts for the Pharmaceutical Wholesaling industry in Ireland.
Questions answered in this chapter include what's driving current industry performance, what influences industry volatility, how do successful businesses overcome volatility, what's driving the industry outlook. This analysis is supported with data and statistics on industry revenues, costs, profits, businesses and employees.
Products & Markets
What's included in the Products and Markets chapter?
The Products and Markets chapter covers detailed products and service segmentation and analysis of major markets for the for the Pharmaceutical Wholesaling industry in Ireland.
Questions answered in this chapter include how are the industry's products and services performing, what are innovations in industry products and services, what products or services do successful businesses offer and what's influencing demand from the industry's markets. This includes data and statistics on industry revenues by product and service segmentation and major markets.
Geographic Breakdown
What's included in the Geographic Breakdown chapter?
The Geographic Breakdown chapter covers detailed analysis and datasets on regional performance of the Pharmaceutical Wholesaling industry in Ireland.
Questions answered in this chapter include where are industry businesses located and how do businesses use location to their advantage. This includes data and statistics on industry revenues by location.
Competitive Forces
What's included in the Competitive Forces chapter?
The Competitive Forces chapter covers the concentration, barriers to entry and supplier and buyer profiles in the Pharmaceutical Wholesaling industry in Ireland. This includes data and statistics on industry market share concentration, barriers to entry, substitute products and buyer & supplier power.
Questions answered in this chapter include what impacts the industry's market share concentration, how do successful businesses handle concentration, what challenges do potential industry entrants face, how can potential entrants overcome barriers to entry, what are substitutes for industry services, how do successful businesses compete with substitutes and what power do buyers and suppliers have over the industry and how do successful businesses manage buyer & supplier power.
Companies
What's included in the Companies chapter?
The Companies chapter covers Key Takeaways, Market Share and Companies in the Pharmaceutical Wholesaling industry in Ireland. This includes data and analysis on companies operating in the industry that hold a market share greater than 5%.
Questions answered in this chapter include what companies have a meaningful market share and how each company is performing.
External Environment
What's included in the External Environment chapter?
The External Environment chapter covers Key Takeaways, External Drivers, Regulation & Policy and Assistance in the Pharmaceutical Wholesaling industry in Ireland. This includes data and statistics on factors impacting industry revenue such as economic indicators, regulation, policy and assistance programs.
Questions answered in this chapter include what demographic and macroeconomic factors impact the industry, what regulations impact the industry, what assistance is available to this industry.
Financial Benchmarks
What's included in the Financial Benchmarks chapter?
The Financial Benchmarks chapter covers Key Takeaways, Cost Structure, Financial Ratios, Valuation Multiples and Key Ratios in the Pharmaceutical Wholesaling industry in Ireland. This includes financial data and statistics on industry performance including key cost inputs, profitability, key financial ratios and enterprise value multiples.
Questions answered in this chapter include what trends impact industry costs and how financial ratios have changed overtime.
Industry Data
What's included in the Industry Data chapter?
The Industry Data chapter includes 10 years of historical data with 5 years of forecast data covering statistics like revenue, industry value add, establishments, enterprises, employment and wages in the Pharmaceutical Wholesaling industry in Ireland.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the market size of the Pharmaceutical Wholesaling industry in Ireland in 2026?
The market size of the Pharmaceutical Wholesaling industry in Ireland is €28.5bn in 2026.
How many businesses are there in the Pharmaceutical Wholesaling industry in Ireland in 2026?
There are 618 businesses in the Pharmaceutical Wholesaling industry in Ireland, which has grown at a CAGR of 1.5 % between 2021 and 2026.
How may import tariffs affect the Pharmaceutical Wholesaling industry in Ireland?
The Pharmaceutical Wholesaling industry in Ireland is unlikely to be materially impacted by import tariffs with imports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
How may export tariffs affect the Pharmaceutical Wholesaling industry in Ireland?
The Pharmaceutical Wholesaling industry in Ireland is unlikely to be materially impacted by export tariffs with exports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
Has the Pharmaceutical Wholesaling industry in Ireland grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Pharmaceutical Wholesaling industry in Ireland has been growing at a CAGR of 3.6 % between 2021 and 2026.
What is the forecast growth of the Pharmaceutical Wholesaling industry in Ireland over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Pharmaceutical Wholesaling industry in Ireland is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Pharmaceutical Wholesaling industry in Ireland?
The biggest companies operating in the Pharmaceutical Wholesaling industry in Ireland are Uniphar Wholesale Ltd, United Drug (Wholesale) Ltd and GlaxoSmithKline (Ireland) Limited
What does the Pharmaceutical Wholesaling industry in Ireland include?
Prescription medicines and Medical products, therapeutic appliances and equipment are part of the Pharmaceutical Wholesaling industry in Ireland.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Pharmaceutical Wholesaling industry in Ireland?
The company holding the most market share in the Pharmaceutical Wholesaling industry in Ireland is Uniphar Wholesale Ltd.
How competitive is the Pharmaceutical Wholesaling industry in Ireland?
The level of competition is moderate and steady in the Pharmaceutical Wholesaling industry in Ireland.
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