Dr Max acquires Farmacie Italiane
Revenue is forecast to reach around 550 million in 2026, whilst the network will exceed 300 branches
by E.N.
Dr. Max Group, the pan-European pharmacy chain, is making a move within the Italian market by acquiring the entirety of Farmacie Italiane, a company owned by F2i and its minority shareholder Farmacrimi, which is a leading player in the Italian market with 44 pharmacies, four parapharmacies, as well as the Loreto Gallo e-commerce platform. This move brings Dr. Max’s Italian network to 300 outlets. Following the signing of the binding agreement, the completion of the transaction is subject to the fulfilment of the usual conditions precedent, including obtaining the necessary authorisations from the Competition Authority.
Dr. Max, which has a solid foundation of around 250 company-owned pharmacies in Italia, will, thanks to this agreement, take a decisive step forward in its expansion plan, strengthening its presence in the major cities of central and southern Italia. The move aims to roll out a modern pharmacy model that reflects Dr. Max’s promise: health for all, everything for health, combining a wide range of products and services at consistently affordable prices.
“This strategic acquisition marks a milestone in Dr. Max’s international growth,” says Leonardo Ferrandino, President & CEO of Dr. Max Group. “Following a record-breaking 2025, which saw us become Europe’s leading chain in terms of the number of company-owned pharmacies, we are continuing to invest in people and key markets as part of our long-term strategy. Italia, in particular, remains a central pillar of our global strategy: this agreement marks a decisive step in strengthening our presence in the domestic market and accelerates our progress towards our goal of achieving solid leadership in Italy as well. By combining the strength and financial stability of an international player with excellence rooted in the local community, we aim to make high-quality healthcare increasingly accessible, affordable and close at hand for millions of Italian patients and customers.” The Dr. Max Group is Europe’s leading specialist pharmacy operator, a market leader with over 3,300 company-owned pharmacies across the continent. Founded in 2004 in the Czech Republic and backed by Penta Investments, the Group serves millions of patients every day across the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, Poland, Italia and Serbia, and, through Magna Sales & Marketing, operates in 18 European countries. With more than 22,000 employees, a growing range of services managed by pharmacists and an e-commerce platform offering convenience and a wide selection to patients and customers, Dr. Max is redefining the pharmacy as a frontline partner for health: accessible, affordable and trustworthy.
“This move builds on the extraordinary work carried out over the last 24 months, during which we have successfully integrated over 155 pharmacies, establishing a solid base of 250 directly-owned branches and a team of nearly 1,500 professionals,” comments Alessandro Urbani, CEO of Dr. Max Italia. Today we are ready to take a decisive step up in scale, expanding our network to 300 pharmacies. Our aim is to contribute even more effectively to the modernisation of the sector, drawing on our international experience and focusing on two fundamental pillars. The first is the patient-customer, for whom we aim to ensure accessible healthcare by guaranteeing affordable prices and innovative services. The second is the pharmacists, key players in their local communities, whose role must be valued. Ensuring these two elements coexist and are strengthened is the challenge we are pursuing with determination. Farmacie Italiane is currently the player most closely aligned with our model, having for years championed a strategy of value for money and service excellence within the sector. This acquisition marks a fundamental step in the market’s evolution, a milestone we welcome with enthusiasm. We look forward to working alongside our new colleagues at Farmacie Italiane, who will join the Dr. Max Group once the transaction is finalised.”
Dr. Max’s investment and innovation drive in Italia is set to accelerate in 2026, accompanied by a projected increase in turnover of around 550 million euros, in addition to the value generated by the new acquisition. Against this backdrop, Dr. Max reaffirms its position as the only true omnichannel player in the market, thanks to the roll-out of quick commerce services (including the reservation of prescription medicines, collection from pharmacies and rapid home delivery), which seamlessly integrate the digital experience with physical proximity for over 1.5 million loyalty customers in Italia.On the operational front, to ensure a smooth and reliable distribution chain in line with the company’s new scale, the centralised and automated distribution centre in Telgate (BG), which covers over 14,000 square metres, supports process efficiency and the supply of the network. With a ‘value for money’ model centred on competitive prices and personalised services, Dr. Max is thus setting new benchmarks in the sector in Italia, reflecting the Group’s high standards across Europe.
