Alliance Healthcare Italia Spa

What Alliance Healthcare Italia Spa does

Alliance Healthcare Italia Spa is a pharmaceutical wholesale distributor and healthcare solutions provider headquartered in Lavagna, Italy, and operating as a subsidiary of Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA). The company distributes pharmaceutical products, medical devices, and health products to more than 9,000 customers daily through 21 depositi (warehouses) distributed across Italian national territory. It serves three primary customer segments: pharmaceutical companies (which require clinical trial support, pre-wholesale logistics, and marketing/sales services), independent pharmacists (served through wholesale distribution and the Alphega Farmacia network), and healthcare operators including public and private hospitals and Italian Local Health Authorities (ASL) served through dedicated hospital logistics and DPC (Distribuzione Per Conto) operations. Italian operations trace to 1977 with Stefano Pessina's founding of Alleanza Farmaceutica; following mergers creating Alliance UniChem (1997), Alliance Boots (2006), and Walgreens Boots Alliance (2014), the wholesale operations were rebranded to Alliance Healthcare in 2007. In June 2021, WBA divested most European wholesale activities to AmerisourceBergen but explicitly retained the Italian business alongside Germany and China.

The company's offerings span an integrated supply chain. Core wholesale distribution (Ingrosso medicinali) covers ethical drugs, generic medicines, OTC products, medical devices, and specialist products. Hospital logistics operates a dedicated portal (ospedaliero.alliance-healthcare.it) providing 24-72 hour delivery across 9,000+ delivery points, with a product range including 2,500 hospital-formatted drugs, 8,000 public-formatted drugs, 3,000 medical-surgical devices, 30,000+ para-pharmaceutical products, and 20,000 homeopathic medicines. Dedicated subsidiary operations include Alloga (contract logistics across 12 European countries with 400,000 m³ of storage), Alcura (clinical trial support handling 500+ studies annually and patient solutions including home delivery), and the Alphega Farmacia network of 7,200+ independent pharmacies across 10 European countries. Exclusive brands include Almus (award-winning European generic medicines line available in Italy through Skills in Healthcare Italia) and Alvita (patient care products).

Revenue is generated primarily through distribution markups on pharmaceutical products (transaction fee model) and professional services fees for contract logistics, clinical trial support, and patient solutions. Pricing is privately negotiated through dedicated account managers and online portals with no public disclosure. The go-to-market is hybrid B2B, combining direct sales teams for hospitals and pharmaceutical companies, traditional wholesale distribution for independent pharmacists, and channel-based delivery through the Alphega Farmacia network. Operations comply with GDP, GMP, GCP, and ISO 9001 standards, with specialized refrigerated storage at 2-8°C and monitored cold chain handling. The DPC platform manages over 10.5 million pieces annually on behalf of ASL entities through a real-time web platform uniting public entity stakeholders.

Name

Alliance Healthcare Italia Spa

Legal name

Alliance Healthcare Italia Spa

Website

https://alliance-healthcare.it

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Alliance Healthcare Italia Spa is a pharmaceutical wholesale distributor serving Italian pharmacies, hospitals, and pharmaceutical companies through 21 nationwide depositi and 9,000+ daily customer relationships, with subsidiary operations in contract logistics, clinical trial support, and the Alphega Farmacia network across Europe.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pharmaceutical Wholesale Distribution

NAICS

Other Ambulatory Health Care Services (6219)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Hospital Shared Services, GPOs & System Support Organizations (HLAFAAAO)

akta.pro secondary industry

Specialty Pharmacy & Complex Therapy Management Platforms (HLACAKAG)

Keywords

• Pharmaceutical wholesale distribution
• Hospital logistics
• Contract healthcare logistics
• Clinical trial support
• Pharmacy network services

Headquarters

HQ city

Lavagna

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Personnel, Operations

Revenue model

1. Pharmaceutical Wholesale Distribution: Revenue generated through markups on pharmaceutical products distributed to pharmacies and hospitals. The company acts as a pharmaceutical wholesaler/distributor, earning margins on the sale of drugs, medical devices, and health products to over 9,000 customers daily.
2. Contract Logistics (Alloga): Alloga provides contract logistics services including storage, transportation, cold chain management, packaging, labeling, and order fulfillment for pharmaceutical companies across 12 European countries with 400,000 m³ of storage space.
3. Clinical Trial Support (Alcura): Alcura provides clinical trial support services including logistics, product management, home delivery, and patient support programs for pharmaceutical companies and hospitals.
4. Exclusive Brand Products: Revenue from exclusive brand products including Almus (generic medicines) and Alvita (patient care products) sold through the pharmacy network.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Alliance Healthcare Italia is a pharmaceutical wholesaler and healthcare solutions provider that distributes drugs, medical devices, and health products to independent pharmacies, hospitals, and public health authorities across Italy. It also offers contract logistics, clinical trial support, hospital logistics, patient solutions, and operates the Alphega Farmacia independent pharmacy network.

Product overview

Alliance Healthcare Italia is a pharmaceutical wholesale leader operating 21 deposits nationwide and serving over 9,000 daily clients. The company offers an integrated platform combining core distribution services with specialized modules. Core offerings include pharmaceutical wholesale (Ingrosso medicinali), hospital logistics (Logistica ospedaliera), and DPC distribution services. The portfolio includes sub-brands Alloga (contractual logistics across 12 European countries), Alcura (clinical trial support), and exclusive product lines Almus (generic medicines) and Alvita (patient care products). Value-added services encompass the Alphega Farmacia network (7,200+ independent pharmacies across 10 European countries), marketing and sales support, patient solutions, and pharmacy management services. The ecosystem is unified through dedicated web portals for different customer segments.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Alphega Farmacia: Leading network of independent pharmacists in Europe with over 7,200 pharmacies in ten countries offering branding, category management, prevention services, loyalty cards, and training courses
• Alvita
• Almus
• Alloga
• Alcura

Products and services

• Ingrosso medicinali (Pharmaceutical Wholesale) Pharmaceutical wholesale distribution service covering ethical drugs, generic medicines, OTC products, health and beauty items, medical devices, specialist products, and personal hygiene articles. Provides dedicated account managers and online ordering access for independent pharmacies.
• Servizi a valore aggiunto (Value-Added Services) Support services for pharmacies including patient care (training, prevention, screening), pharmacy management (financial consulting, financing plans, market data), and e-learning programs for professional development.
• Alphega Farmacia Network Independent pharmacist network spanning 10 European countries with over 7,200 member pharmacies. Offers branding, category management, prevention services, loyalty cards, training courses, and prevention campaigns (anti-smoking, diabetes, women's health, breast cancer).
• Almus European award-winning generic medicine line with colorful packaging for easy recognition of active ingredients and dosages. Available exclusively in Italy through Skills in Healthcare Italia.
• Alvita Quality patient care product line offering an affordable alternative to leading brands. Available exclusively for independent pharmacists in Europe.
• Logistica ospedaliera (Hospital Logistics) Hospital logistics service including integrated healthcare logistics solutions for private hospitals, clinics, and rehabilitation centers. Features 24-hour delivery via web portal, logistics platform design, IT systems implementation, and complete supply chain management.
• Alloga European-wide contractual logistics provider for the healthcare sector offering specialized supply chain solutions including transport, storage, packaging, labeling, pharmaceutical warehousing with 400,000 m3 across 12 European countries, order management, and contract packaging services.
• Alcura (Clinical Trial Support) Business unit providing specialized clinical trial solutions with 18 years of experience. Services include integrated logistics (storage, distribution, returns, destruction), home delivery, product management, clinical study design and execution, handling over 500 clinical studies annually.
• Soluzioni per i pazienti (Patient Solutions) Patient care solutions including professional pharmacy services, Alphega App for patient engagement, and home delivery of medications and devices with nursing support, quality operating procedures, and privacy compliance.
• Marketing e vendite (Marketing and Sales) Marketing and sales services for pharmaceutical companies including sales campaign execution, customer/channel strategy, pharmacist training via Alphega network, seasonal campaigns, in-store marketing, and merchandising support.
• DPC (Distribuzione Per Conto) Distribution on behalf service managing public entity products through local deposits. Handles over 10,500,000 units annually with temperature-controlled storage (2-8C), real-time web platform management, and GDP/ISO 9001 compliance for ASL (Local Health Authorities).

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 10,500,000 pieces handled annually in DPC operations
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Walgreens Boots AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Following the 2012 strategic partnership and 2014 merger of Walgreens and Alliance Boots, Walgreens Boots Alliance was formed as the first global health and wellbeing company in the pharmaceutical retail sector. Alliance Healthcare Italia was part of this group until 2021.
• Alphega Farmacia MemberscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlliance Healthcare Italia supports the Alphega Farmacia network of 7,200+ independent pharmacies across 10 European countries, providing logistics, exclusive brands, training, and marketing support while members maintain independence.
• Komen ItaliaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaboration with Komen Italia for breast cancer prevention campaigns promoted through the Alphega Farmacia network of pharmacies.
• Skills in Healthcare ItaliaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive concession for Italy of Almus generic medicines through Skills in Healthcare Italia.
• ASL (Local Health Authorities)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAlliance Healthcare Italia manages Distribuzione Per Conto (DPC) operations for ASL entities, handling products owned by public entities through local depositi with temperature-controlled storage and real-time web platform management.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves14 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• DHL Supply Chain (Life Sciences & Healthcare): Global contract logistics provider with a dedicated Life Sciences & Healthcare vertical offering pharma warehousing, cold chain, and clinical trial logistics. Directly comparable to Alliance Healthcare's Alloga subsidiary.
• UPS Healthcare (Marken): Global healthcare logistics provider (including Marken for clinical trial supply chain) with comparable cold chain, pharma warehousing, and clinical trial distribution capabilities.

Broad incumbents

• Celesio (McKesson Europe): European pharmaceutical distribution and pharmacy retail arm of McKesson, operating wholesale and retail pharmacy across multiple European countries. Broader incumbent with comparable wholesale, pharmacy, and patient services offerings.

Direct peers

• McKesson Corporation: Global pharmaceutical distributor with significant European operations (including via Celesio/Lloyds Pharmacy). Comparable B2B pharma wholesale, biopharma services, and hospital distribution.
• Phoenix Group: European pharmaceutical wholesale leader headquartered in Germany, operating across more than 25 countries. Closely comparable to Alliance Healthcare Italia as a pan-European pharma wholesaler with pharmacy network services.
• Walden Group (Alliance Healthcare France): Former Alliance Healthcare France, now independent under the Walden brand; provides pharmaceutical distribution and services in France. Direct peer sharing historical DNA with Alliance Healthcare Italia from the same WBA wholesale lineage.
• Cencora (formerly AmerisourceBergen): The world's largest pharmaceutical wholesaler and the buyer of WBA's wholesale business in 2021. Directly comparable pharmaceutical distribution, hospital logistics, and specialty services platform operating globally at far larger scale.
• Sofar SpA: Italian pharmaceutical distribution and logistics company serving pharmacies, hospitals, and healthcare operators nationwide. Direct competitor in the Italian pharma wholesale market.
• Unipharma: Italian pharmaceutical wholesaler providing distribution to pharmacies, hospitals, and ASL across Italy. Direct domestic competitor with overlapping customer base and product portfolio.

Regional players

• Zuellig Pharma: Asia-Pacific pharmaceutical distribution and healthcare services group operating across 13+ markets. Comparable end-to-end pharma distribution, clinical trial, and patient support services, though focused on APAC rather than Europe.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/alliance-healthcare-italia

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries2 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 Alliance Healthcare Italia Spa