Independent pharmacies face expansion risks and rising competition

Independent pharmacies are facing significant challenges regarding financial management and market competition. In Peru, the Farmaniacos Day 2026 event will address the risks of uncontrolled expansion. Nelly Salcedo, CEO of Boticas Perú, will share how her family business had to scale back from 32 locations to just five following a crisis before successfully growing to its current 350 locations through improved inventory management, administration, and team training.

In the broader consumer health sector, data from IQVIA indicates that pharmacies are losing market share to parapharmacies and online retailers. While pharmacies are seeing growth in nutrition categories, such as infant formula, they are losing ground in dermocosmetics and over-the-counter (OTC) products. Research suggests that while medication consumption remains steady, pharmacies are experiencing a decline in consumer visits and spending within the consumer health segment, with Amazon identified as a primary competitor.