Richter Pharma
Richter Pharma AG is a family-owned Austrian pharmaceutical company headquartered in Wels that distributes human and veterinary pharmaceuticals nationwide, manufactures veterinary medicines through its VetViva Richter subsidiary (exporting to 50+ countries), and provides specialized pharmaceutical logistics and digital services for healthcare providers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1918
- HeadquartersWels, Austria
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Richter Pharma does
Richter Pharma AG is a privately held, family-owned Austrian pharmaceutical company headquartered in Wels that operates across four integrated business segments: (1) Richter Pharma Human — full-range pharmaceutical wholesaling to Austrian public pharmacies, doctors' in-house pharmacies (Hausapotheken), and hospitals; (2) Richter Pharma Veterinär — market-leading veterinary pharmaceutical distribution in Austria supplying veterinarians with pharmaceuticals, supplementary feeds, practice supplies and equipment; (3) VetViva Richter GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary established in April 2023 that manufactures veterinary medicines under GMP, holds 800+ drug approvals, and exports to 50+ countries; and (4) Pharma Logistik Austria GmbH, a wholly owned logistics subsidiary spun off in 2006 specialized in cytostatics, cold-chain, narcotics, and biotech products for the pharmaceutical industry. The company also sells OTC dietary supplements and foods for special medical purposes (Supamun, Supaferrin, Supaeye) through Austrian pharmacies.
The business runs on a vertically integrated value chain — from GMP-compliant manufacturing at Wels' Durisolstraße site to nationwide distribution via AMBO-compliant 2-zone delivery vehicles transporting 2,500–3,000 boxes per day, supplemented by manufacturer services for European veterinary producers seeking Austrian market entry. The digital layer comprises elOrd (24/7 online ordering), elHapo (electronic home-pharmacy inventory and recording), elMo (electronic antibiotic monitoring), the richter4you customer portal, and VetNative practice management software acquired via a 51% stake in 2023; 1/3 ownership of MEDventuro adds GMP-compliant patient-specific blistering (Verblisterung).
Revenue is generated through B2B transaction-fee wholesale distribution in human and veterinary pharmaceuticals, hardware/medicine sales from VetViva's manufacturing export business, professional services from Pharma Logistik, and OTC one-time-product sales, complemented by recurring software subscriptions tied to VetNative. FY2022 revenue stood at EUR 682 million with EBITDA of EUR 11 million (down 12% YoY), and the company is deploying EUR 35 million into a new VetViva production complex completed in 2025 to triple manufacturing capacity. Ownership remains with the Fritsch family; the executive team is now led by non-family CEO Roland Huemer with COO Andreas Schilde and newly appointed CFO Petra Hofer.
Richter Pharma firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Richter Pharma
- Legal name
- Richter Pharma AG
- Website
- https://richter-pharma.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1918
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Richter Pharma AG is a family-owned Austrian pharmaceutical company headquartered in Wels that distributes human and veterinary pharmaceuticals nationwide, manufactures veterinary medicines through its VetViva Richter subsidiary (exporting to 50+ countries), and provides specialized pharmaceutical logistics and digital services for healthcare providers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Richter Pharma industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Pharmaceutical Wholesale and Distribution
- NAICS
- Drugs and Druggists' Sundries Merchant Wholesalers (424210), Medical, Dental, and Hospital Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (42345)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Drugs, Proprietaries & Druggists' Sundries (5122), Wholesale-Medical, Dental & Hospital Equipment & Supplies (5047)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Prescription Pharmaceutical (Rx) Wholesale Distribution (CRAOAHAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Veterinary Pharmaceutical Wholesalers & Distributors (HLAMAIAA), Specialty Pharma & Biologics Distribution (GDP-compliant) (HLAGAMAD), Specialty Pharmacies (Complex/High-Cost Therapies) (HLAFALAC)
Keywords
Where Richter Pharma is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Wels
- HQ country
- Austria
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices4 records
Markets served
Richter Pharma business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Human Pharmaceutical Trade: Full-range pharmaceutical wholesale offering nationwide distribution to public pharmacies, doctors' in-house pharmacies and hospitals in Austria. More than 100 years of pharmaceutical expertise ensures medicines are available when needed quickly.
- Veterinary Pharmaceutical Distribution: Market-leading veterinary pharmaceutical distribution in Austria as full-range wholesaler supplying veterinarians with pharmaceuticals, supplementary feeds, care products, practice supplies and equipment
- VetViva Veterinary Manufacturing: Veterinary pharmaceutical manufacturing through 100% subsidiary VetViva Richter GmbH. Over 800 drug approvals with exports to more than 50 countries worldwide
- Pharma Logistik Austria: Logistics and outsourcing services for pharmaceutical industry including logistics, Patient Care and Added Value Services. Specialized in cytostatics, cold chain products, narcotics and biotech products
- OTC Products: Over-the-counter dietary supplements and foods for special medical purposes including Supamun (immune system), Supaferrin (iron deficiency), Supaeye (eye moisturization) sold through pharmacies
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels8 records
Richter Pharma product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Richter Pharma AG is a family-owned Austrian pharmaceutical company operating four integrated divisions: full-range human pharmaceutical wholesale to Austrian pharmacies, hospitals and doctors' in-house pharmacies; market-leading veterinary pharmaceutical distribution in Austria; veterinary pharmaceutical manufacturing through its VetViva Richter GmbH subsidiary (exporting to 50+ countries with 800+ drug approvals); and specialized pharmaceutical logistics through Pharma Logistik Austria GmbH for sensitive products including cytostatics, cold-chain, narcotics and biotech.
Product overview
Richter Pharma is a diversified pharmaceutical company operating across four business segments: (1) Richter Pharma Human - full-range pharmaceutical wholesale for human health, (2) Richter Pharma Veterinär - leading veterinary pharmaceutical distributor in Austria, (3) VetViva Richter GmbH - veterinary pharmaceutical manufacturer with 800+ drug approvals exporting to 50+ countries, and (4) Pharma Logistik Austria GmbH - logistics and added value services. The company also develops and sells OTC products including Supamun® (immune system support), Supaeye® (eye moisturization), and Supaferrin® (iron deficiency support). Digital services include elOrd (online ordering), elHapo (electronic home pharmacy), elMo (antibiotic monitoring), richter4you (customer portal), and VetNative (practice management).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Supamun®: Immune system-supporting food supplements and foods for special medical purposes (balanced diets). Products include immune capsules, power nectar, sticks, junior power paws, and vegan effervescent tablets.
- Supaferrin®
- Supaeye®
- elOrd
- elHapo
- elMo
- richter4you
- riMas®
Products and services
- Richter Pharma Human Pharmaceutical Wholesale Full-range pharmaceutical wholesaler offering nationwide distribution to public pharmacies, doctors' in-house pharmacies (Hausapotheken), and hospitals throughout Austria. Leverages more than 100 years of pharmaceutical expertise to ensure medicines are available when urgently needed, with a daily distribution capacity of 2,500-3,000 delivery boxes from the Wels logistics center.
- Richter Pharma Veterinär Distribution
Quantifiable outcome
- 35% of total energy sourced from renewable sources
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Richter Pharma
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Richter Pharma technology and API
TechnologyAPI detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Richter Pharma partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.
- VetNative Digital GmbHcoreMajority stake acquisition (51%) of veterinary-focused software company to significantly expand digital offerings for veterinarians. Includes practice management and online appointment scheduling services.
- VetViva Richter GmbHcore100% owned subsidiary established April 1, 2023, specializing in veterinary pharmaceutical manufacturing. Bundles all veterinary drug manufacturing know-how from R&D to production and international marketing. Exports to 50+ countries with 800+ drug approvals.
- Pharma Logistik Austria GmbHcore100% owned subsidiary spun off in 2006, specializing in logistics for sensitive pharmaceuticals including cytostatics, cold chain products, narcotics and biotech products. Operates logistics centers in Wels and Vienna.
- MedVenturo GmbHcoreRichter Pharma holds 1/3 ownership stake. Partnership enables patient-specific drug blistering (Verblisterung) under GMP-compliant conditions, offering first-class individual medication management services.
- Adler Apotheke WelsminorCooperation for small-quantity pharmaceutical production of individual and common magistral formulations. Located at historic Welser Stadtplatz site where Richter Pharma originated.
- Bundesbeschaffungsgesellschaft (BBG)majorProven partner in distribution of healthcare supplies for Austrian population. Experience includes vaccine logistics during pandemics and supply to Austrian judiciary.
- Simplivia Healthcare Ltd.minorManufacturer of high-quality medical solutions for drug delivery ensuring safety of healthcare professionals. Chemfort product line approved by leading regulatory bodies worldwide, trusted by pharmacists, nurses and veterinarians.
- Bullpup Scientific Ltd.minorProvider of indwelling vein cannulas (Bullpup catheter) with up to 29-day dwell times, contributing to reduction in hospital-acquired infections.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Richter Pharma competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Phoenix Group: Phoenix Group is one of Europe's largest pharmaceutical wholesale and distribution companies, operating in 27 countries. It is broadly comparable to Richter Pharma's human pharma wholesale business, though Phoenix operates on a much larger European-wide scale with pharma retail, services, and pre-wholesale alongside distribution.
- Alliance Healthcare (Walgreens Boots Alliance): Alliance Healthcare is the pharmaceutical wholesale and distribution arm of Walgreens Boots Alliance operating across Europe, supplying pharmacies, hospitals, and clinics. It is broadly comparable to Richter Pharma's full-range human pharma distribution model, though with much larger scale and broader geographic reach.
- Cencora (formerly AmerisourceBergen): Cencora is one of the largest global pharmaceutical distribution and solutions companies, supplying pharmacies, hospitals, and healthcare providers worldwide. It is a broad incumbent comparable to Richter Pharma's full-range pharmaceutical wholesale business, though at vastly greater scale with global operations.
Direct peers
- Zoetis: Zoetis is the world's largest animal health company, developing and manufacturing veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and diagnostics. It directly compares to VetViva Richter GmbH's veterinary pharmaceutical manufacturing and global export business, though at far greater scale and breadth.
- Dechra Pharmaceuticals: Dechra Pharmaceuticals is a UK-based specialty veterinary pharmaceuticals company focused on therapeutics for companion animals. It is directly comparable to VetViva Richter's veterinary pharmaceutical manufacturing business, particularly the focus on analgesics, anaesthetics, and specialty formulations for global veterinary markets.
- Vetoquinol: Vetoquinol is a French global veterinary pharmaceutical company specializing in animal health products for companion and production animals. It directly compares to VetViva Richter's veterinary manufacturing and international export operations, though with a larger international commercial footprint.
- Virbac: Virbac is the sixth-largest animal health company globally, manufacturing and marketing veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and diagnostics. It is directly comparable to VetViva Richter's veterinary pharmaceutical manufacturing and global export business across companion and farm animal segments.
Regional players
- WDT (Western Drug and Trading) / Vetsource: WDT is a US-based technology and distribution company serving veterinary practices with pharmaceutical distribution, practice management software, and home delivery services. It is a regional peer comparable to Richter Pharma Veterinär's combination of veterinary distribution and digital services (elOrd, VetNative), though focused on the US market.
- Calier (Invesa Group): Calier is a Spain-based veterinary pharmaceutical manufacturer and part of the Invesa Group, producing animal health products for global markets. It is a regional peer comparable to VetViva Richter's veterinary pharmaceutical manufacturing and export operations, though primarily focused on Latin American and Southern European markets.
- Animedica (Agrovet Market): Animedica is a German veterinary pharmaceutical company distributing animal health products to veterinarians in German-speaking markets. It is a regional peer comparable to Richter Pharma Veterinär's full-range veterinary distribution model for companion and farm animals, though focused on the German market.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Richter Pharma social profiles
Digital presenceRichter Pharma financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Richter Pharma leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles14 records
Richter Pharma subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
Richter Pharma funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Richter Pharma M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Richter Pharma
What does Richter Pharma do?
Richter Pharma AG is a family-owned Austrian pharmaceutical company operating four integrated divisions: full-range human pharmaceutical wholesale to Austrian pharmacies, hospitals and doctors' in-house pharmacies; market-leading veterinary pharmaceutical distribution in Austria; veterinary pharmaceutical manufacturing through its VetViva Richter GmbH subsidiary (exporting to 50+ countries with 800+ drug approvals); and specialized pharmaceutical logistics through Pharma Logistik Austria GmbH for sensitive products including cytostatics, cold-chain, narcotics and biotech.
Is Richter Pharma a public or private company?
Richter Pharma is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Richter Pharma founded?
Richter Pharma was founded in 1918. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Richter Pharma based?
Richter Pharma is headquartered in Wels, Austria, in the Europe region.
How does Richter Pharma make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Human Pharmaceutical Trade is the primary driver. The others are veterinary Pharmaceutical Distribution, vetViva Veterinary Manufacturing, pharma Logistik Austria and OTC Products.
Who are Richter Pharma's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Phoenix Group, Alliance Healthcare (Walgreens Boots Alliance) and Cencora (formerly AmerisourceBergen). Direct peers are Zoetis, Dechra Pharmaceuticals, Vetoquinol and Virbac. Regional players are WDT (Western Drug and Trading) / Vetsource, Calier (Invesa Group) and Animedica (Agrovet Market).
Does Richter Pharma have an API?
No public API is recorded for Richter Pharma.
What industry is Richter Pharma in?
Richter Pharma's product category is Pharmaceutical Wholesale and Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAOAHAA, Prescription Pharmaceutical (Rx) Wholesale Distribution, with a secondary code of HLAMAIAA, Veterinary Pharmaceutical Wholesalers & Distributors. Its NAICS code is 424210 and its SIC code is 5122.