Hippocrates
Hippocrates Holding is an Italian pharmacy retail platform operating 629 owned pharmacies under the Lafarmacia. brand across 58 Italian provinces, serving consumer and healthcare-service customers through physical retail, digital omnichannel channels, and integrated screening and telemedicine services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersMilan, Italy
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Hippocrates does
Hippocrates Holding S.p.A. is an Italian pharmacy retail platform founded in March 2018 by Davide Tavaniello and Rodolfo Guarino, headquartered in Milan. The company operates a network of 629 owned pharmacies under the flagship brand "Lafarmacia." along with sub-formats including "Lafarmaciapunto" and "Lafarmacia.Montesanto," spanning 58 provinces across 14 Italian regions with a current workforce of 3,274 employees. Its core offering combines physical pharmacy retail with digital channels acquired through the 2021 purchase of online pharmacy Top Farmacia, plus an integrated services portfolio including telemedicine consultations, point-of-care anemia screening (with PharmaNutra), thyroid screening (with Merck), and colon cancer screening (with AUSL/Federfarma).
The business operates a multi-revenue-stream model anchored on retail pharmaceutical and wellness product sales across owned locations, augmented by pay-as-you-go professional services such as the €3-per-test anemia screening. Distribution relies on a "Cedi la tua farmacia" acquisition program that consolidates independent pharmacies into the Lafarmacia. format, supported by a 10,000+ sqm distribution warehouse operated via subsidiary Hippo Distribuzione. The group also extends revenue through the Pharmercure home-delivery partnership, Pharmacare home-healthcare alliance, and B2B screening collaborations with regional health authorities.
Ownership rests with French private equity firm Antin Infrastructure Partners, which acquired a majority stake in 2021; the company is incorporated as a Società Benefit (Benefit Company) under Italian Law 208/2015 since January 2024 and obtained B Corp certification in September 2025. The group is financed by over €900 million in debt arranged in 2024 with a consortium of institutional lenders, providing the capital base for continued acquisition-driven network expansion.
Hippocrates firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Hippocrates
- Legal name
- Hippocrates Holding S.p.A.
- Website
- https://hippocratesholding.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- Hippocrates Holding is an Italian pharmacy retail platform operating 629 owned pharmacies under the Lafarmacia. brand across 58 Italian provinces, serving consumer and healthcare-service customers through physical retail, digital omnichannel channels, and integrated screening and telemedicine services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Hippocrates industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Retail Pharmacy
- NAICS
- Pharmacies and Drug Retailers (45611), Drugs and Druggists' Sundries Merchant Wholesalers (42421)
- SIC
- Retail-Drug Stores And Proprietary Stores (5912)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Retail & Community Pharmacies (Chain/Independent) (HLAFALAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Health, Wellness & Pharmacy Marketplaces (CRAFABAF)
Keywords
Where Hippocrates is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Milan
- HQ country
- Italy
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Hippocrates business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel
Revenue model
- Pharmacy Retail: Retail pharmacy operations through owned pharmacy network under the Lafarmacia. and Lafarmaciapunto brands, selling pharmaceutical products, health and wellness items, and providing pharmacy services
- Pharmacy Services: Healthcare services including telemedicine consultations, screening services (thyroid exams, anemia prevention, colon cancer screening), health diagnostics, and pharmacy services
- Diagnostic Testing Services: Point-of-care testing services such as the Masimo SET pulse oximetry technology for hemoglobin monitoring, offered at select pharmacies for €3 per test
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Diagnostic testing services at €3 per screening |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Hippocrates product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Hippocrates Holding operates the 'Lafarmacia.' retail pharmacy network in Italy, comprising 629 owned pharmacies across 58 provinces. The company sells pharmaceutical and health/wellness products and provides in-pharmacy healthcare services including telemedicine consultations, anemia/thyroid/colon cancer screening, prescription dispensing, and pharmaceutical home delivery through the Pharmercure partnership. The group pursues an omnichannel strategy integrating physical pharmacies with the acquired online pharmacy Top Farmacia.
Product overview
Hippocrates Holding operates as Italy's largest pharmacy retail group, organized around its flagship brand 'Lafarmacia.' — a network of 629 owned pharmacies serving as the primary pharmacy retail product — supplemented by sub-formats such as 'Lafarmaciapunto' (renovated neighborhood pharmacies) and premium 'Lafarmacia. Flagship Store' locations. The portfolio extends beyond dispensing into a growing suite of health services modules integrated into the pharmacy network: telemedicine consultations, anemia screening (with PharmaNutra), thyroid screening (with Merck), and colon cancer screening (with Ausl/Federfarma), alongside a prescription delivery partnership with Pharmercure. The Group acquired online pharmacy Top Farmacia to build its omnichannel capabilities. As a B Corp-certified Società Benefit, the holding operates a 10,000 sqm logistics warehouse and a whistleblowing platform.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Lafarmacia. Primary pharmacy retail brand of Hippocrates Holding, operating a network of 629 owned pharmacies across Italy offering prescription medications, OTC products, health consultations, and pharmacy services to general consumers.
- Lafarmaciapunto Sub-brand pharmacy format representing renewed or renovated neighborhood pharmacy locations within the Hippocrates network, offering pharmaceutical products and health services to local consumers.
- Lafarmacia. Flagship Store Premium-format pharmacy store concept showcasing the full range of Lafarmacia. services and product offerings, including the flagship location in Milan city center.
- Top Farmacia (Online Pharmacy) Online pharmacy platform acquired by Hippocrates in October 2021 to integrate e-commerce capabilities with the physical pharmacy network, enabling Italian consumers to purchase pharmaceutical and health/wellness products online.
- Telemedicine Services Remote health consultation services offered through the Lafarmacia. pharmacy network, enabling consumers to access urgent healthcare coordination including 24/7 emergency support. In 2023, the service managed 1,300 'yellow codes' and 60 'red codes' for critical situations.
- Anemia Screening Service Anemia prevention and screening service offered in collaboration with PharmaNutra S.p.A. at 49 selected Lafarmacia. pharmacies, using Masimo SET pulsioximetry technology for rapid, painless hemoglobin testing without blood draw, priced at €3 per test.
- Thyroid Screening Service Thyroid examination and screening service developed in partnership with Merck, available at participating pharmacies where staff have completed specialized training and earned the 'Esperta nel controllo della Tiroide' (Expert in Thyroid Control) recognition.
- Colon Cancer Screening Service Early colon cancer screening service operating in collaboration with Ausl di Piacenza and Federfarma, where participating pharmacies collect and return screening kits as part of the territorial health service network in Italy.
- Pharmaceutical Home Delivery (Pharmercure Partnership) Pharmaceutical home delivery service offered through the partnership with Pharmercure, enabling patients (especially elderly, disabled, and immobile) to receive prescription medications from Lafarmacia. pharmacies at their homes, available through more than 100 pharmacies nationwide.
Companies that use Hippocrates
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Hippocrates technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Hippocrates partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Top FarmaciacoreItalian online pharmacy acquired to enhance Hippocrates' omnichannel strategy, integrating physical and digital customer touchpoints across the pharmacy network.
- PharmercurecorePartnership for pharmaceutical home delivery services. Pharmercure operates a digital platform enabling pharmacies to deliver medications to patients' homes, serving elderly, disabled, and patients unable to visit pharmacies.
- PharmaNutra S.p.A.minorCollaboration for anemia prevention project using Masimo SET pulse oximetry technology in 49 select pharmacies. PharmaNutra provides scientific expertise and support for the screening program.
- Croce Rossa Italiana (Italian Red Cross)minorPartnership for COVID-19 medication home delivery to those in need during pandemic, and CRI4Kids project supporting families in economic difficulty with supplies for infants.
- Associazione SportdipiùminorPartnership supporting sports inclusion for people with disabilities, funding programs for alpine skiing, wheelchair tennis, para ice hockey, and wheelchair curling.
- MerckminorCollaboration for thyroid examination services, providing training to pharmacy staff on thyroid health and enabling pharmacies to achieve 'Esperta nel controllo della Tiroide' (Expert in thyroid control) recognition.
- Telefono DonnaminorPartnership to fight domestic violence through pharmacist training program to recognize signs of abuse and support women in difficulty.
- NATIVAminorRegenerative Design Company that accompanied Hippocrates in its B Corp certification process and transition to Società Benefit status.
- PharmacareminorPartnership for home healthcare assistance, providing qualified and insured professionals who arrive at patients' homes within hours at no additional cost.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Hippocrates competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Alliance Healthcare: Pharmaceutical wholesaler and pharmacy retail operator (Walgreens Boots Alliance subsidiary) in Italy and Europe. Comparable given its dual wholesale-retail model in the Italian pharmacy sector.
- Celesio / McKesson Europe: Major European pharmaceutical distributor and pharmacy operator (parent of Lloyds Pharmacy). Comparable as a large-scale pharmacy retail and wholesale platform serving European markets.
- Phoenix Group: European pharmaceutical wholesale and retail pharmacy giant operating multiple pharmacy chains (including BENU). Highly comparable given its vertically integrated pharmaceutical distribution (relevant to Hippo Distribuzione subsidiary) and chain pharmacy operations.
- Walgreens Boots Alliance: Global pharmacy retail giant with significant European footprint via Alliance Healthcare and Boots. Comparable as a multinational pharmacy chain operator with both retail and wholesale capabilities.
Direct peers
- Dr. Max: Pan-European pharmacy chain backed by PE (Penta Investments) with significant Italian presence. Directly comparable as a PE-backed multi-country consolidator of retail pharmacies, pursuing similar acquisition-driven growth strategies.
- DocMorris: European online pharmacy and mail-order pharmacy operator. Comparable to Hippocrates' Top Farmacia online channel given its focus on digital pharmacy retail across Europe.
- PHOENIX Pharma Italia: Italian subsidiary of PHOENIX Group, operating pharmaceutical distribution and pharmacy retail in Italy. Directly comparable given its overlap in both wholesale (relevant to Hippo Distribuzione) and retail pharmacy operations in the Italian market.
Emerging players
- Shop Apotheke: European online pharmacy with strong digital focus. Comparable to Hippocrates' Top Farmacia e-commerce channel as a digital-first European pharmacy operator.
Regional players
- Amavita / Galenicare (Galexis): Swiss pharmacy chain and pharmaceutical distributor (part of Galexis/Novartis group). Comparable as a vertically integrated European pharmacy retail and wholesale platform, though operating primarily in Switzerland.
- Farmacia San Carlo: Italian pharmacy chain competitor with multiple retail locations. Comparable as a domestic Italian pharmacy operator competing in the same regional markets.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Hippocrates social profiles
Digital presenceHippocrates compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Hippocrates financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Hippocrates leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Hippocrates subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
Hippocrates funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors16 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Hippocrates M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A2 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Hippocrates
What does Hippocrates do?
Hippocrates Holding operates the 'Lafarmacia.' retail pharmacy network in Italy, comprising 629 owned pharmacies across 58 provinces. The company sells pharmaceutical and health/wellness products and provides in-pharmacy healthcare services including telemedicine consultations, anemia/thyroid/colon cancer screening, prescription dispensing, and pharmaceutical home delivery through the Pharmercure partnership. The group pursues an omnichannel strategy integrating physical pharmacies with the acquired online pharmacy Top Farmacia.
Is Hippocrates a public or private company?
Hippocrates is a private company. It is classified as private equity controlled and is currently operating.
When was Hippocrates founded?
Hippocrates was founded in 2018. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Hippocrates based?
Hippocrates is headquartered in Milan, Italy, in the Europe region.
How does Hippocrates make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Pharmacy Retail is the primary driver. The others are pharmacy Services and diagnostic Testing Services.
Who are Hippocrates's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Alliance Healthcare, Celesio / McKesson Europe, Phoenix Group and Walgreens Boots Alliance. Direct peers are Dr. Max, DocMorris and PHOENIX Pharma Italia. Shop Apotheke is listed as an emerging player. Regional players are Amavita / Galenicare (Galexis) and Farmacia San Carlo.
Does Hippocrates have an API?
No public API is recorded for Hippocrates.
What industry is Hippocrates in?
Hippocrates's product category is Retail Pharmacy. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAFALAA, Retail & Community Pharmacies (Chain/Independent), with a secondary code of CRAFABAF, Health, Wellness & Pharmacy Marketplaces. Its NAICS code is 45611 and its SIC code is 5912.