The European group Hygie31 has entered into a partnership with CentralFarma and established Hygie31 España, its international subsidiary. The deal also includes the launch of the brand Pharmacie Lafayette on the Spanish market. From its launch, the new structure will bring together more than 400 pharmacies and is expected to generate a turnover of over €600 million by the end of 2026.
As a result, for the first time, the group is establishing a national ecosystem in the Spanish market, based on the combination of a strong international pharmacy brand and regional groups such as Ecoceutics and CentralFarma, as well as future strategic partnerships.
Spain: the first step in Hygie31’s international expansion
At the helm of Hygie31 España, Valero Pallàs is introducing an organisational model that is unprecedented in the Spanish market: an ecosystem that brings together different pharmacy organisations under a single strategic structure, while maintaining the identity and independence of each one of them and fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing between the organisations within it.
The new entity will coordinate the group’s activities in the Spanish market and will integrate its pharmacy networks with the aim of creating operational synergies through its own technology tools, Europe-wide training programmes and the development of exclusive brands. It will also strengthen its negotiating power with pharmaceutical companies through commercial agreements at both national and European levels.
The group’s aim is to replicate in Spain the model that has driven its growth in France, based on the combination of a strong brand – Pharmacie Lafayette – with a network of regional groups of independent pharmacies.
Promoting Pharmacy Lafayette’s concept of ‘Health for Everyone’
This strategy builds on the success of the model ‘Pharmacie Lafayette: La Santé Pour Tous’, launched in Spain in 2022. More than 40 pharmacies in the Ecoceutics network have already adopted this model and have seen an average increase in sales of over 20% following the switch. In line with the consistency of the brand across Europe, these pharmacies will progressively adopt Pharmacie Lafayette’s identity.
From these results, Hygie31 España will promote the development of the concept ‘Health for Everyone’ within the ecosystem in the Spanish market, supporting the pharmacies of the group’s networks and guiding them in their transition to this innovative model that combines low prices every day on parapharmacy products, a wide range of goods, and a healthcare approach based on services and pharmaceutical advice.
CentralFarma: the operational hub of the new ecosystem
Founded in Seville in 2014 by Gustavo Caba, CentralFarma currently comprises 230 pharmacies, mainly in Andalusia, with a turnover of close to €330 million. Over the past few years, the group has established itself as a leading provider of support for independent pharmacies, offering services in areas such as merchandising, procurement optimisation and the economic development of pharmacies.
As part of its strategic partnership with Hygie31 España, CentralFarma is positioning itself as one of the operational pillars of the new ecosystem in the country, providing its strong national presence and its support structure for independent pharmacies.
Roadmap to 2030
The roadmap intends to progressively establish new strategic partnerships until achieving 1,000 pharmacies by 2030.
‘Our goal is to support groups and pharmacies that want to develop in an increasingly demanding environment, while maintaining their independence and their identity,’ says Valero Pallàs.
Statements:
‘With the creation of Hygie31 España and the support of its Director — Valero Pallàs — in external growth initiatives in Spain, Hygie31 continues to make progress towards its ambition to build a unique European asset that safeguards the independence of the pharmacist and his role of first point of access to the healthcare system, with the aim of making healthcare accessible to everyone, everywhere.’
Hervé Jouves, President of Hygie31
‘With Hygie31 España, we are taking an important step towards structuring our operations in the country and building a strong ecosystem of independent pharmacies. This change will enable us to support pharmacists in Spain, promoting the development of their pharmacies and strengthening their role as local healthcare providers.’
Valero Pallàs, CEO of Hygie31 España
"Thanks to the partnership with Hygie31, the pharmacies that constitute the CentralFarma group will have access to all the technology, synergies, knowledge and strength of Europe’s leading group of independent pharmacies, freeing the pharmacy owner from operational tasks so that they can focus on providing excellent healthcare.”
Gustavo Caba, CEO CentralFarma
About CentralFarma:
CentralFarma is a pharmacy group based in Seville with a strong presence in the south of Spain. It comprises 230 pharmacies and has a combined turnover of over €300 million.
The organisation is developing a model aimed at strengthening the competitiveness of independent pharmacies, providing strategic support, collective bargaining power and management tools tailored to the realities of the market.
With a strong regional presence and a well-established structure, CentralFarma has positioned itself as a leading player in the organisation and professionalisation of independent pharmacies in its geographical area.