Stockholm, 29 April 2025 — A new research report commissioned by the Swedish Competition Authority highlights growing concerns about reduced competition in Sweden’s pharmacy market following its reregulation in 2009. The study, conducted by Uppsala University researchers Sofia Kälvemark Sporrong and Pia Frisk, tracks the market’s transformation from a state monopoly to an open market.
While the initial years saw a wave of new establishments, the report finds that recent consolidation has made it harder for smaller and independent pharmacies to enter the market. Increased competition from online pharmacies has further strained brick-and-mortar businesses.
The report also points to geographic imbalances in pharmacy access and an ongoing shortage of pharmacists, warning that current trends could undermine patient safety. The authors call for reforms to the regulatory framework or financing model to prevent further market concentration.
