Pharmaceutical logistics grows amid rising demand for cold chain treatments

The pharmaceutical distribution sector is experiencing significant growth, driven by increasing demand for specialized medical treatments and the expansion of major distributors in Spain. Leading companies such as Cofares and Bidafarma are seeing rising revenues, with the top six distributors controlling approximately 90% of the market.

A critical driver of this growth is the increasing necessity for temperature-controlled logistics, often referred to as the cold chain. The rise of GLP-1 medications for diabetes and obesity, such as Ozempic and Wegovy, requires strict temperature maintenance between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius. This trend extends beyond weight-loss drugs to include biological medicines, vaccines, and oncology therapies.

Data indicates that the proportion of new drugs requiring refrigeration or freezing is rising steadily. While 37% of drugs launched between 2013 and 2017 required cold chain logistics, that figure rose to 45% between 2018 and 2022, and is projected to reach approximately 50% for drugs launched between 2023 and 2027. This shift is transforming logistics into a strategic infrastructure component for the healthcare industry.