What Pharma GDD does

Pharma GDD (legal entity: Pharmacie de la Grâce de Dieu) operates one of France's pioneering online pharmacy and parapharmacy e-commerce platforms, founded as a physical pharmacy in Caen, Normandy in 1964 and relaunched on 14 November 2012 as the first French pharmacy authorized to sell non-prescription medications over the internet. The platform offers 25,000+ product references spanning OTC medications (pharmacist-verified for drug interactions), dermocosmetics and parapharmacy items, baby and maternal care, medical equipment for home care, orthopedic/podology supplies, and veterinary medications, alongside a proprietary GDD private-label personal care line.

The underlying technology is a regulated e-commerce storefront with an in-house pharmacist verification workflow: every medication order is reviewed by one of 11 qualified pharmacists using a customer health questionnaire for interaction checking. Distribution is multi-carrier (Chronopost next-day, UPS, Mondial Relay pickup points, same-day local pickup in Caen) with native iOS/Android mobile apps and integrations including Doctolib for in-pharmacy appointment booking. The business holds ARS approval (number 2-01.03.13/9H), Ordre National des Pharmaciens registration, ISO 9001 certification (a sector first), and memberships in Fevad and the European Association of E-Pharmacies.

The revenue model is direct-to-consumer transactional e-commerce on a unit-pricing basis, with promotional discounting, a free-delivery threshold at €59, and reported pricing up to 3x below traditional Parisian pharmacies. The customer base spans individual French consumers across self-medication, beauty, baby care, home care, and pet health use cases, with 450,000+ patients served cumulatively and a 4.9/5 platform rating across 58,553 reviews. The company is privately held with no disclosed parent, funding rounds, or external institutional investment.

Name

Pharma GDD

Legal name

Pharmacie de la Grâce de Dieu

Website

https://pharma-gdd.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1964

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Pharma GDD is a French DTC online pharmacy and parapharmacy platform based in Caen, offering 25,000+ pharmacist-verified medications, dermocosmetics, medical equipment, and parapharmacy products with nationwide delivery across France to 450,000+ patients since 2012.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Online Pharmacy

NAICS

Pharmacies and Drug Retailers (456110), Pharmacies and Drug Retailers (45611), Health and Personal Care Retailers (456)

SIC

Retail-Drug Stores And Proprietary Stores (5912)

akta.pro primary industry

Health & Pharmacy Omnichannel (CRAFAEAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Pet Pharmacy Retail (Prescription) (CRALAHAD)

Keywords

• Online pharmacy
• Parapharmacy products
• Medical equipment retail
• Dermocosmetics skincare
• Non-prescription medications

Headquarters

HQ city

Caen

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. E-commerce Product Sales: Pharma GDD generates revenue through direct online sales of medications (non-prescription), parapharmacy products, medical equipment, and health/wellness items. The business operates on a transaction-based model where customers purchase individual products at listed prices. The company offers over 25,000 product references across categories including medications, dermocosmetics, baby products, medical equipment, and veterinary products.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Pharma GDD is a French online pharmacy and parapharmacy retailer that sells non-prescription medications, parapharmacy items (dermocosmetics, baby care, hygiene-beauty), medical equipment, and veterinary products through its e-commerce platform pharma-gdd.com. Every medication order is reviewed by an in-house licensed pharmacist for interaction checks, and fulfillment is provided via nationwide carrier delivery and in-pharmacy pickup in Caen. The platform also distributes a proprietary GDD private-label personal-care line and resells leading brands such as Avène, La Roche-Posay, Bioderma, Nuxe, Vichy, Hydralin, Garancia, and Gibaud.

Product overview

Pharma GDD operates as an online pharmacy and parapharmacy platform based in Caen, Normandy, France, offering over 25,000 health and beauty product references. The core offering comprises medications (verified by an in-house pharmacist for every order), a proprietary GDD private-label brand of eco-responsible personal care products, and an extensive parapharmacy catalog spanning dermocosmetics, eye care, baby and maternal products, incontinence supplies, medical equipment for home care, veterinary products, and orthopedic/podology supplies. Delivery is supported by multiple carrier partners with next-day fulfillment. The platform is complemented by pharmacist consultation services and native mobile apps for iOS and Android. Notable third-party brands featured include Hydralin (Bayer group, intimate care), Garancia (dermocosmetics by pharmacist Savéria Coste), and Gibaud (orthopedics, Össur group), alongside major pharmaceutical and beauty brands.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• GDD: Private-label eco-responsible brand offering personal care products including toothbrushes, soap, shower gel, shampoo, and cold cream, manufactured in France.

Products and services

• Online Medications (OTC) Catalog of 25,000+ non-prescription medication references (pain/fever, allergies, digestion, cough, constipation, intimate care) sold online to French consumers, with every order reviewed by an in-house licensed pharmacist for drug-interaction checks based on customer health questionnaires.
• Parapharmacy Products Wide selection of parapharmaceutical items including dermocosmetics, skincare, beauty supplements, baby care, maternal health, dietary supplements and incontinence supplies from brands such as Avène, La Roche-Posay, Bioderma, Nuxe, Vichy, Filorga and Garancia, marketed to French consumers at promotional prices.
• GDD Private-Label Personal Care Range Proprietary eco-responsible personal-care brand by Pharma GDD, manufactured in France, offering toothbrushes, bar soaps, shower gels, shampoos and cold creams formulated with natural ingredients such as French sweet almond oil.
• Hydralin Intimate Care Range Online distribution of the Hydralin intimate-hygiene line (Bayer group) — daily intimate washes, antifungal treatments (MycoHydralin), bacterial vaginosis care (Hydralin Balance), vaginal moisturizers, lubricants and self-test kits — sold to French consumers through Pharma GDD.
• Garancia Dermocosmetic Range Online distribution of the French dermocosmetic brand Garancia (founded by pharmacist Savéria Coste) including facial care (creams, serums, anti-aging), body care, eye contour treatments, solar protection, and ranges such as Diabolique Tomate, Mystérieux, Meno-Expert, and Pschitt Magique.
• Gibaud Orthopedic Range Distribution of the Gibaud orthopedic line (founded 1890, in collaboration with Össur) — lumbar and cervical collars, knee/elbow supports, ankle braces, hernia belts, walking boots and therapeutic shoes (CHUT) — manufactured in French weaving workshops.
• Podology & Foot Care Products Comprehensive orthopedic foot-care range including orthotic insoles, heel cups, hallux valgus splints, therapeutic shoes (for plaster, post-operative and hallux valgus use), comfort slippers, and separators, featuring brands Gibaud, Thuasne, Orliman, Scholl, Epitact, Compeed and Sigvaris.
• Medical Equipment & Home Care Medical devices and home-care supplies — shower chairs, anti-slip mats, commode chairs, walkers, wheelchairs, walking sticks, pill organizers, crushers, and enteral nutrition products (pumps, probes, hypercaloric drinks) — sold to individuals and home-care patients across France.
• Veterinary Medications & Pet Health Online sale of veterinary medications and pet-health products — anti-flea treatments (Advantage), dewormers (Drontal), and general animal-health supplies — with ANSES approval for distance selling of veterinary medications.
• Eye Care & Eye Contour Products Eye-care assortment targeting dark circles, puffiness, age spots, wrinkles and dehydration lines — creams, serums, gels, sticks, patches and roll-on formats — featuring brands La Roche-Posay, CeraVe, Bioderma, Garancia, Vichy, Nuxe, Eucerin and Ducray.
• Pharmacist Consultation & Order Verification Service Personalized advisory service delivered by qualified pharmacists via phone and email; every medication order is reviewed through a customer health questionnaire for drug interactions, dosing and individualized recommendations, supported by an essential-oils health guide.
• Next-Day Delivery & Pickup Service Order-fulfillment service offering next-day delivery for orders placed before 13h Monday–Friday (or 18h for express), free delivery for orders over €59, plus free pickup at the physical pharmacy at 1 place du Commerce, Caen, with delivery before 6pm after order confirmation.
• Pharma GDD Mobile App (iOS & Android) Native mobile applications available on the Apple App Store and Google Play that let customers browse products, place orders, manage prescriptions and access pharmacist services from iOS and Android devices.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4.9/5 average customer rating based on 58,553 reviews
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ChronopostcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChronopost is the primary express delivery partner for Pharma GDD, providing next-day home delivery service for orders placed before 18h (excluding weekends and holidays). The partnership ensures rapid fulfillment critical to the pharmacy's value proposition of fast delivery.
• UPScoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUPS partnership provides additional delivery speed and reliability options for customers, complementing the Chronopost express delivery service.
• Mondial RelayminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMondial Relay provides pickup point delivery through its network, allowing customers to collect orders from local relay points for added flexibility and convenience, particularly for customers who may not be available for home delivery.
• Fevad (Fédération du e-commerce et de la vente à distance)coreOthersPharma GDD is a member of Fevad, the French e-commerce and distance selling federation, adhering to its quality charter. Fevad is part of the European Ecommerce Europe Trustmark network, providing credibility and consumer protection assurances.
• European Association of E-Pharmacies (EAEP)coreOthersMembership in the European association representing e-pharmacies, demonstrating commitment to industry standards and best practices across European markets.
• Various Pharmaceutical Brands (Arkopharma, Avène, Bioderma, Boiron, Doliprane, Efferalgan, Garancia, Gibaud, Hydralin, Listerine, Nuxe, UPSA, Viatris, Vichy, Weleda, etc.)coreOthersPharma GDD distributes products from over 25 major pharmaceutical and dermo-cosmetic brands including Arkopharma, Avène, Bioderma, Boiron, Doliprane, Efferalgan, Garancia, Gibaud, Hydralin, Listerine, Nuxe, UPSA, Viatris, Vichy, and Weleda. These brand partnerships provide the product catalog of 25,000+ references.
• ÖssurminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGibaud (orthopedic brand distributed by Pharma GDD) collaborates with Össur, a global leader in non-invasive orthopedics. This collaboration supports Gibaud's mission to facilitate mobility and wellbeing, combining Gibaud's French textile expertise with Össur's global orthopedic leadership.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Parapharmazen: French e-commerce player focused on parapharmaceuticals, dermo-cosmetics, and OTC medications, with similar pricing-led positioning. Directly comparable to Pharma GDD in the parapharmacy/beauty segment of the French online channel.
• LaSante.net: French online pharmacy platform offering OTC medications and parapharma with pharmacist verification and home delivery. Closely matches Pharma GDD's pharmacist-verified D2C model in the same regulatory and competitive context.
• Easyparapharmacie: French online parapharmacy retailer selling OTC, dermo-cosmetics, and wellness products. Comparable to Pharma GDD in catalog structure, target consumer, and reliance on multi-carrier delivery across France.
• 1001Pharmacies: French online pharmacy marketplace/network that aggregates independent pharmacies for online OTC and parapharmacy sales. Direct competitor to Pharma GDD in France with overlapping customer segments (self-medication, parapharma, beauty) and a similar regulatory framework.
• Cocooncenter: French online pharmacy and parapharmacy retailer offering OTC medications, parapharma, and health/beauty products with home delivery. Directly comparable to Pharma GDD's product mix, target audience, and nationwide French delivery model.

Others

• Doctolib: Dominant French health-tech platform for booking appointments and increasingly teleconsultation and digital health services. Comparable as an adjacent ecosystem player already integrated with Pharma GDD's physical pharmacy via appointment booking, and a potential disintermediation risk for consumer health engagement.

Broad incumbents

• Amazon Pharmacy: Amazon's prescription and OTC pharmacy operations in the US (PillPack) and emerging EU presence via marketplace pharma. Comparable to Pharma GDD as a broad e-commerce entrant into pharmacy with superior logistics and pricing power, representing a long-tail competitive threat.
• DocMorris (Shop Apotheke): Pan-European online pharmacy and marketplace headquartered in the Netherlands, operating across multiple EU markets with a much larger scale. Highly comparable to Pharma GDD's D2C e-pharmacy model, broader geography, and OTC/parapharmacy catalog.
• Zur Rose Group: Swiss-headquartered e-pharmacy group operating across Germany, Switzerland, and other EU markets with prescription and OTC fulfillment. Comparable to Pharma GDD as an established European online pharmacy targeting self-medication and chronic-care consumers.

Emerging players

• Atida (Mifarma): European digital health and e-pharmacy group operating across Iberia, Italy, and other EU markets. Comparable to Pharma GDD as an online pharmacy leveraging multi-market scale, with a more developed private-label and digital-health services layer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCKJTs-ttFD8s24mpzqrVBkA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pharma-gdd
• Facebookfacebook.com/PharmaGDD

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Pharma GDD