Yliopiston Apteekki

What Yliopiston Apteekki does

Yliopiston Apteekki is Finland's largest online pharmacy and a 270-year-old pharmacy chain wholly owned by the University of Helsinki (Helsingin yliopisto). Operating under a unique social-enterprise mandate, the company fulfills three statutory missions: manufacturing rare medicines (it is the sole producer of several rare medicines in Finland), training pharmacy students, and conducting pharmaceutical research, with profits directed to Finnish education and research. Its retail footprint comprises 17 physical pharmacies across 14 Finnish cities and a nationwide online pharmacy platform at ya.fi, supplemented by a Kumppaniapteekit partner pharmacy network and Wolt quick delivery in 14 cities within a 13 km radius.

The company's product portfolio spans prescription medications, over-the-counter medicines, cosmetics (including dermocosmetics, K-Beauty, and natural cosmetics), vitamins and dietary supplements, health products organized by condition, and veterinary medicines. Private-label offerings include the YA-tuotesarja line (skincare, hair care, oral care, supplements) and the YA Naturae natural cosmetics sub-brand, sold alongside third-party brands such as ACO, Avène, La Roche-Posay, Vichy, Medik8, and Sebamed. The technology backbone is the ya.fi e-commerce platform integrated with Finland's national Kanta prescription system, multiple payment providers (Paytrail, OP Lasku, Walley), and the Wolt delivery platform, with a mobile app and Kanta-asiakas loyalty program driving retention.

Revenue is generated through three primary streams: retail pharmacy sales (Rx, OTC, cosmetics, and wellness products sold one-time through owned pharmacies and the online store), B2B healthcare services (dose dispensing/annosjakelu, antibiotic pump services, and pharmaceutical manufacturing for healthcare providers, structured as professional services), and rare medicine manufacturing (one of the three mandated social missions). Pricing is not publicly disclosed for most products, though fixed YA prices apply to select OTC medicines, loyalty discounts are available to Kanta-asiakas members, and Wolt delivery fees apply for express delivery. The primary customer segment is general Finnish consumers purchasing through either online or physical channels, with a secondary B2B segment serving public and private healthcare institutions across Finland.

Name

Yliopiston Apteekki

Legal name

Yliopiston Apteekki

Website

https://yliopistonapteekki.fi

Company type

Private

Founded year

1755

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Yliopiston Apteekki is Finland's largest online pharmacy (ya.fi) and a 17-location pharmacy chain owned by the University of Helsinki, serving Finnish consumers with prescription medicines, OTC drugs, cosmetics, vitamins, and supplements, plus B2B healthcare provider services including rare medicine manufacturing, dose dispensing, and antibiotic pump services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Retail Pharmacy

NAICS

Pharmacies and Drug Retailers (45611), Health and Personal Care Retailers (456)

SIC

Retail-Drug Stores And Proprietary Stores (5912), Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834)

akta.pro primary industry

Retail & Community Pharmacies (Chain/Independent) (HLAFALAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Health, Wellness & Pharmacy Online Retailers (CRAFADAG), Health, Wellness & Pharmacy Marketplaces (CRAFABAF), Telepharmacy & Prescription Fulfillment Marketplaces (HLALALAF)

Keywords

• Retail pharmacy
• Online pharmacy
• Prescription medications
• Vitamins supplements
• Pharmacy retail services

Headquarters

HQ city

Helsinki

HQ country

Finland

HQ region

Europe

Offices15 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Retail Pharmacy Sales: Sale of prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, cosmetics, beauty products, vitamins, and wellness supplements through physical pharmacies and online store
2. Healthcare Services: Vaccination services, prescription handling, dosage dispensing (annosjakelu) for healthcare providers, antibiotic pump services
3. Rare Medicine Manufacturing: Manufacturing of rare medicines as one of three social missions; sole manufacturer of several rare medicines in Finland

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Yliopiston Apteekki operates an omnichannel pharmacy retail business, selling prescription medications, over-the-counter medicines, cosmetics, vitamins and dietary supplements, health products, and veterinary medicines through its ya.fi online pharmacy and 17 physical stores across Finland. It also operates B2B services for healthcare providers including automated dose dispensing (annosjakelu), antibiotic pump services, and pharmaceutical manufacturing, and is the sole domestic manufacturer of several rare medicines.

Product overview

Yliopiston Apteekki operates Finland's largest online pharmacy (ya.fi) offering a comprehensive omnichannel platform combining prescription medications, over-the-counter medicines, cosmetics, vitamins/supplements, health products, and veterinary medicines. The core offering is the Verkkoapteekki online platform supplemented by 17 physical pharmacies in 14 cities. The company provides its own YA private label product line including YA-tuotesarja (skincare, haircare, supplements) and YA Naturae (natural cosmetics), alongside extensive third-party brands. B2B healthcare services include dose dispensing, antibiotic pump service, and pharmaceutical manufacturing for rare medicines. Quick delivery is enabled through Wolt integration in major Finnish cities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• YA-tuotesarja: Own brand product line including cosmetics, vitamins, and health supplements
• YA Naturae
• Kumppaniapteekit

Products and services

• Verkkoapteekki ya.fi (Online Pharmacy) Finland's largest online pharmacy platform (ya.fi) serving customers nationwide with prescription medications, over-the-counter medicines, cosmetics, and wellness products. Offers prescription services, Wolt quick delivery in 14 cities, and customer loyalty programs. Targeted at general Finnish consumers.
• Prescription Medications (Reseptilääkkeet) Full range of prescription medications across multiple therapeutic categories including respiratory, neurological, dermatological, infectious disease, gastrointestinal, hormonal, cardiovascular, oncology, musculoskeletal, and blood disorder treatments. Includes rare medicines manufactured as a statutory social mission. For patients with valid Finnish prescriptions.
• Over-the-Counter Medicines (Itsehoitolääkkeet) Non-prescription medications for self-care including analgesics, allergy treatments, cold/flu remedies, digestive health products, and first aid supplies available at YA (Yliopiston Apteekki) fixed prices. For general consumers seeking self-care remedies.
• Cosmetics and Beauty (Kosmetiikka) Extensive cosmetics category including dermocosmetics, K-Beauty (Korean cosmetics), natural cosmetics, face care, body care, hair care, makeup, men's grooming, and beauty gifts. Brands include ACO, Avene, La Roche-Posay, Vichy, Medik8, and Sebamed. For general consumers.
• Vitamins and Supplements (Vitamiinit ja ravintolisät) Wide selection of vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements including A, B, C, D, E, K vitamins, multivitamins, omega-3, probiotics, collagen, magnesium, iron, zinc, and specialty products like Ubiquinol/Coenzyme Q10. Also includes clinical nutrition and superfoods. For health-conscious consumers.
• Health Products (Terveys) Health products organized by condition including allergy, cold/flu, skin problems, pain relief, first aid, eyes/ears/nose, oral care, heart/circulation, fitness, children, travel, pregnancy/baby care, tests/meters, smoking cessation, and mental wellness. For general consumers seeking condition-specific products.
• Veterinary Medicines (Eläinlääkkeet) Pet care products including medications and treatments for dogs, cats, and other animals covering parasites, dental care, nutrition, joint health, and general wellness. For pet owners.
• Vaccination and Health Services (Rokotus- ja terveyspalvelut) In-pharmacy vaccination services including tick vaccination (TBE), travel vaccinations, and other health services. Customers can book vaccination appointments. For general consumers.
• YA-tuotesarja (YA Private Label Product Line) Yliopiston Apteekki's own brand product line including skincare, hair care, oral care, supplements, and personal care products. Known for quality at competitive prices. For general consumers.
• YA Naturae (Natural Cosmetics Line) YA's natural cosmetics sub-brand offering natural and organic beauty products including face care, body care, and hair care products. For consumers seeking natural cosmetics.
• Kanta-asiakkuus Loyalty Program Customer loyalty program offering monthly deals, partner benefits, and mobile app access. Members receive personalized offers, discounts, reminder services, and partner benefits. For general Finnish consumers.
• Healthcare Provider Services (Terveydenhuolto-palvelut) Business services for healthcare providers including dose dispensing (annosjakelu), antibiotic pump service, medication preparation, medication logistics, and corporate e-commerce. For healthcare institutions.
• Dose Dispensing (Annosjakelu) Automated medication dose dispensing service for healthcare facilities and elderly care, organizing medications into individual doses for patients. For hospitals, care homes, and elderly care providers.
• Antibiotic Pump Service (Antibioottipumppupalvelu) Specialized service providing antibiotic pump equipment and support for healthcare providers administering IV antibiotic treatments. For hospitals and clinics.
• Pharmaceutical Manufacturing (Lääkevalmistus) Custom pharmaceutical manufacturing service, particularly important for rare medicines. Yliopiston Apteekki is the sole manufacturer of several rare medicines in Finland, fulfilling a statutory social mission. For healthcare providers and patients needing rare medicines.
• Wolt Quick Delivery (Wolt-pikatoimitus) Express delivery service via Wolt app enabling rapid delivery of pharmacy products including prescription medications, OTC medicines, and wellness products in 14 Finnish cities within 13km radius of pharmacies. For general consumers.

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• WoltcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWolt provides quick delivery service for pharmacy products in 14 Finnish cities (Espoo, Helsinki, Joensuu, Jyväskylä, Kemi, Lahti, Lappeenranta, Oulu, Pori, Salo, Savonlinna, Tampere, Turku, Vantaa) within 13km radius of pharmacies. Delivers prescription drugs, OTC medicines, and wellness products.
• Kumppaniapteekit (Partner Pharmacies)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork of partner pharmacies extending Yliopiston Apteekki's service coverage across Finland beyond their 17 owned pharmacies.
• Orion PharmaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProduct partnership featuring Orion Pharma products with promotional offers (e.g., Marimekko gift bag with 49€ purchase).

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• DocMorris (Zur Rose Group): Pan-European online pharmacy and prescription fulfillment platform headquartered in Switzerland/Netherlands. Comparable online-led prescription, OTC, and consumer health marketplace model.
• Shop Apotheke (now Redcare Pharmacy): One of Europe's largest online pharmacies, operating across multiple EU markets with prescription and OTC fulfillment, OTC plus beauty, plus a delivery network. Closest pure-play analog to Yliopiston Apteekki's ya.fi online model.

Broad incumbents

• CVS Health: Integrated US pharmacy retailer with PBM and healthcare services arms. Comparable prescription fulfillment, retail health, and adjacent clinical services orientation.
• Walgreens Boots Alliance: Major US/UK pharmacy retail and wholesale platform with Boots pharmacies and emerging online Rx delivery. Comparable breadth across prescription dispensing, OTC/beauty retail, and pharmaceutical wholesale.

Others

• Wolt (DoorDash-style local delivery): Last-mile delivery platform that powers Yliopiston Apteekki's quick-delivery service in 14 Finnish cities. Key infrastructure enabler for YA's omnichannel proposition.
• Orion Corporation: Finnish pharmaceutical manufacturer and YA product partner (Orion Pharma). Adjacent pharmaceutical manufacturer with products distributed through Yliopiston Apteekki and capable of cooperation or competition in branded pharmacy supply.

Regional players

• Apoteket (Sweden): Swedish state-owned pharmacy retailer with both physical and online presence, including pharmacy services and consumer health products. Comparable Scandinavian state-linked pharmacy operating model.
• Apotek Hjärtat: Sweden's largest pharmacy chain with physical stores and online service, offering prescription, OTC, beauty, and health products under ICA Gruppen ownership. Comparable omnichannel pharmacy retail model in neighboring Nordic market.
• Hehku Apteekki: Finnish pharmacy chain with physical storefronts and online presence operating in the same Finnish retail pharmacy market. Directly comparable in-store and consumer health product mix.
• Kronans Apotek: Swedish pharmacy chain with physical and online operations across Sweden. Comparable Nordic pharmacy retail and e-commerce offering including prescription, OTC, and consumer health.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/YA_apteekki
• Facebookfacebook.com/YliopistonApteekki
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/yliopiston-apteekki
• Instagraminstagram.com/yliopistonapteekki

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Yliopiston Apteekki