Cofares is steered by Eduardo Pastor and continues to set the tempo for Spain’s pharmaceutical distribution sector. The 2022 performance data show a solid uptick in activity, with a notable rise in volume and a record turnover near 4 billion euros. This momentum mirrors a market adapting to post‑pandemic realities, strengthening supply chain resilience from major urban hubs to far‑flung regional nodes across the country.
The group’s market share rose to about 30 percent, underscoring its leadership position. The growth in billing stands out when set against 2021, a year in which Cofares billed roughly 3.6 billion euros and held a share just above 29 percent. This progress signals heightened demand from independent pharmacies and the efficiency of the distributor network across Spain, reflecting a more integrated and responsive distribution ecosystem.
Founded in 1944, the organization operates from Alcobendas, near Madrid. Its capital remains fully held by pharmaceutical partners, providing strong ownership stability and continuity. The group also integrates brands such as Farmavenix and Profarco, which bring Cofares’ networked retail stores under a unified umbrella while preserving local autonomy for partner pharmacies.
In the second tier of the market, Andalusia’s Bidafarma trails closely behind. Granada-based Antonio Mingorance leads a business that captured roughly 21.74 percent of the market. Bidafarma, established in 2016, is fully owned by pharmaceutical investors and emerged from the merger of twelve cooperatives, a strategic move to consolidate purchasing power and broaden distribution reach across southern Spain.
Bidafarma has reported nearly 2.6 billion euros in invoices, edging past 2020’s 2.536 billion euros. Although 2021 accounts have not yet been filed in the trade registry, the company communicates its figures publicly via its website, maintaining transparency about its performance and growth trajectory across a regional network of pharmacies.
On the firm’s behalf, the Murcia‑based Hephame group has emerged as a significant regional player. In 2021, it held the third spot with an 11.05 percent market share. That year, its turnover reached 1.455 billion euros, up from 1.411 billion euros in 2020, demonstrating steady expansion amid a competitive landscape and evolving regulatory conditions that challenge distributors to modernize continuously.
In fourth place sits Alliance Healthcare, owned by American parent AmerisourceBergen, which attained a 10.37 percent share. Its headquarters are in Zaragoza, and it reported revenues of 1.275 billion euros in 2021, up from 1.201 billion euros in 2020, reflecting ongoing investments in logistics, supplier relationships, and service breadth for pharmacies across the country. The leadership cadence shows a trend toward deeper regional alignment and more flexible distribution models.
Collectively, these four groups account for more than 70 percent of the national market. Their total turnover exceeds 12 billion euros in 2021, and the broader market tallies more than 22,000 pharmacies. These figures come from distributors’ public disclosures and the Trade Registry, illustrating a concentrated yet dynamic sector with ongoing opportunities for modernization, efficiency gains, and service enhancements for patients and communities.
This week, the industry gathers at the INFARMA fair in Fira de Barcelona, a landmark event signaling a return to normal activity after pandemic disruptions. Market participants anticipate continued growth prospects as new distribution models, technology‑enabled supply chains, and stronger collaboration across the ecosystem drive better service levels for patients and communities across Spain.
The sector’s strategic importance to Spanish society has gained recognition at the European level. In a Brussels assessment, the European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs noted pharmaceutical distributors as vital services for the population. Spain’s drug distribution framework is widely regarded as among the best globally, characterized by high productivity and a robust social commitment that prioritizes access, affordability, and uninterrupted supply for patients across diverse regions.