What Phoenix does

PHOENIX lékárenský velkoobchod, s.r.o. is the leading pharmaceutical wholesaler in the Czech Republic, holding approximately 45% market share and operating five distribution centers (Prague, Brno, Vysoké Mýto, Plzeň, Ostrava) plus a pre-wholesale HUB in Brno. Founded in 1996 through the merger of three Czech wholesalers (Schulze, ZZ-Stumpf, Waldo), the company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the German-headquartered PHOENIX group, which operates in 29 European countries. Its core business is daily delivery of roughly 25,000 SKUs to nearly 4,000 pharmacies, hospitals and medical outlets, supported by 24/7 emergency service for vital products and a 365-day hotline.

The company's product surface spans four pillars: core pharmaceutical distribution, pre-wholesale services for 180+ manufacturers using 41,500 pallet spaces across Prague, Brno and Vysoké Mýto, Direct-to-Pharmacy and Direct-to-Hospital (DTP/DTH) distribution models serving 12 global manufacturers with 400+ products, and value-added services such as the ePIN customer portal, the PLV laboratory for individualized medicinal preparations (up to 46,000 products monthly serving 700-800+ pharmacies), and active marketing support through the PharmaPoint network of 177-240 independent partner pharmacies. Its technology stack includes A-frame automated picking (Schaefer) at the 21,000 m2 Prague distribution center opened in 2020, Zetes vehicle tracking deployed across the fleet in 2025, EDI electronic document exchange with more than half of suppliers connected, and a TMS for delivery reservation.

The business model is B2B transaction-fee based: revenue is generated through markups on distributed pharmaceutical products, pre-wholesale storage and handling fees, DTP/DTH distribution fees, and professional services such as call-center marketing support, Extra Prisma media, and PIN portal advertising for suppliers. Operating performance reached approximately CZK 79 billion in FY2025/2026, up from CZK 75 billion in FY2024/2025 and CZK 70 billion in FY2023/2024. Vertical integration extends through subsidiary BENU Česká republika, which operates roughly 300 retail pharmacies, creating a wholesale-to-retail channel alongside the wholesale-to-pharmacy relationship.

Name

Phoenix

Legal name

PHOENIX lékárenský velkoobchod, s.r.o.

Website

https://phoenix.cz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

PHOENIX lékárenský velkoobchod is the leading Czech pharmaceutical wholesaler, operating five distribution centers to deliver ~25,000 SKUs to nearly 4,000 pharmacies, hospitals and medical outlets. Wholly-owned by the German PHOENIX group, it provides pre-wholesale, DTP/DTH and PLV laboratory services across the Czech Republic.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pharmaceutical Wholesale Distribution

NAICS

Drugs and Druggists' Sundries Merchant Wholesalers (42421)

SIC

Wholesale-Drugs, Proprietaries & Druggists' Sundries (5122)

akta.pro primary industry

Full-Line Pharmaceutical Wholesalers (HLAIAJAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Specialty Pharmaceutical Distributors (HLAIAJAB), Retail Pharmacy Supply Wholesalers (HLAIAJAE), Direct-to-Provider / Clinic Buy-and-Bill Distributors (HLAIAJAM)

Keywords

• Pharmaceutical wholesale distribution
• Pharmaceutical distribution services
• Pharmacy supply chain
• Pre-wholesale pharmaceutical services
• Pharmaceutical logistics solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Prague

HQ country

Czechia

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Pharmaceutical distribution: Core business of pharmaceutical wholesale distribution to pharmacies, hospitals and other healthcare facilities. Revenue generated through markups on product sales with portfolio of nearly 25,000 product items.
2. Pre-wholesale services: Traditional and largest provider of pre-wholesaling services for pharmaceutical industry in Czech Republic. Services provided to more than 180 foreign and domestic manufacturers with storage facilities in Prague, Brno and Vysoké Mýto. Total capacity of 41,500 pallet spaces.
3. DTP/DTH distribution models: Direct to Pharmacy and Direct to Hospital distribution models where manufacturer takes on distributor role. PHOENIX currently main provider of these services in Czech Republic, serving 12 renowned global manufacturers with over 400 products in 2023.
4. Marketing services for suppliers: Active marketing support for new or routine products targeting more than 500 cooperating pharmacies. Services include call center, flyer campaigns, pricing offers, Extra Prisma media, and PIN portal advertising.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

PHOENIX lékárenský velkoobchod operates the leading pharmaceutical wholesale distribution business in the Czech Republic, supplying nearly 4,000 pharmacies, hospitals and medical facilities with a portfolio of nearly 25,000 product items through five regional distribution centers. Beyond core distribution, the company provides pre-wholesale storage and resale services for over 180 pharmaceutical manufacturers, DTP/DTH direct distribution models for 12 global manufacturers with 400+ products, PLV laboratory services for individualized medicinal preparations, pharmaceutical information services, and active marketing support for partner pharmacies.

Product overview

PHOENIX lékárenský velkoobchod, s.r.o. is a pharmaceutical wholesale distributor and part of the PHOENIX group operating in 29 countries across Europe. The company operates a platform-based model centered on five core pillars: (1) pharmaceutical distribution and logistics services — spanning five distribution centers (Praha, Brno, Vysoké Mýto, Plzeň, Ostrava) plus a pre-wholesale HUB — delivering medicines to nearly 4,000 pharmacies, hospitals, and other healthcare outlets with a portfolio of ~25,000 items; (2) ePIN customer portal — a web-based tool for electronic ordering, document management, and pharmacy communications; (3) PLV laboratory — a specialized facility preparing individualized medicinal products (IPLP) and replacements for unavailable manufactured drugs (HVLP), integrated into the distribution logistics; (4) PharmaPoint — a virtual network of independent partner pharmacies (~177–240 pharmacies) providing them with marketing support, communication channels, and branding; and (5) pharmaceutical information services and customer support including a dedicated call center (green line 800 800 830). Additional offerings include Direct-to-Pharmacy (DTP) and Direct-to-Hospital (DTH) distribution models, pre-wholesale services for manufacturers, and active marketing support reaching 500+ partner pharmacies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PharmaPoint: Virtual network of independent pharmacies affiliated with PHOENIX, currently ~177-240 partner pharmacies in the Czech Republic, offering marketing and business support services.
• PLV laboratoř

Products and services

• Pharmaceutical Wholesale Distribution Daily wholesale distribution of nearly 25,000 pharmaceutical and medical product items from five regional distribution centers (Prague, Brno, Vysoké Mýto, Plzeň, Ostrava) to nearly 4,000 pharmacies, hospitals, and medical facilities across the Czech Republic with continuous on-call emergency support for vital products 365/24/7.
• Pre-wholesale Services Traditional and largest provider of pre-wholesale services for pharmaceutical industry in Czech Republic. Storage and resale services for manufacturers with 41,500 pallet spaces across Prague, Brno, and Vysoké Mýto, including consignment warehouses and pre-wholesale models with direct ERP integration. Serves over 180 foreign and domestic manufacturers and enables distribution to Czech Republic, Austria, Germany, and other CEE countries.
• DTP/DTH Distribution Models Direct to Pharmacy (DTP) and Direct to Hospital (DTH) distribution models where manufacturers retain distributor role and Phoenix handles last-mile delivery to pharmacies and hospitals using its logistics network. Currently serving 12 global manufacturers with over 400 products in 2023.
• PLV Laboratory Services Specialized laboratory under BENU Česká republika preparing individually prepared medicinal products (IPLP) on prescription or stock, and manufacturing substitutes for unavailable industrially manufactured medicinal products (HVLP). Features 657 m² facility, biohazard box for up to three workers, and serves 700-800+ pharmacies with up to 46,000 products monthly.
• Pharmaceutical Information Service Unique workplace within the Czech distribution network equipped with domestic and foreign pharmaceutical databases. Provides comprehensive drug information, manages individual imports of unregistered medications, supports hospital pharmacies, and answers more than 12,000 pharmaceutical inquiries annually.
• PharmaPoint Pharmacy Network Virtual network of 177-240 independent partner pharmacies in the Czech Republic operated by Phoenix, providing member pharmacies with marketing support, branding, communication channels, loyalty programs, and an e-commerce platform.

Quantifiable outcome

• Supplies nearly 4,000 pickup points with delivery reliability
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• HSF SystemminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2020Construction company that built the Prague distribution center in Hostivař as general contractor. 21,000 m2 semi-automated facility completed in 2020.
• SERVIER and TAKEDA PharmaceuticalscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015International CEE logistics project launched in 2015. PHOENIX provides regular international logistics services from Czech hubs to distributors in CEE countries.
• BENU Česká republikacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSubsidiary company operating nearly 300 pharmacies. PLV laboratory is specialized workplace under BENU Česká republika. Provides integrated position in Czech pharmaceutical market from wholesale to retail.
• PharmaPoint networkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork of approximately 177-240 independent pharmacies. BENU and PharmaPoint together form significant retail network with own communication channels including websites, loyalty programs, TV advertising, and e-commerce.
• GRiTcoreTechnology or IntegrationEDI integration partner providing electronic data interchange solutions for structured business document exchange between PHOENIX and partners.
• ZetescoreTechnology or IntegrationDelivery tracking and verification system implemented across all distribution vehicles. Provides precise loading verification and delivery confirmation, eliminating errors and mix-ups.
• SchaefercoreTechnology or IntegrationProvider of A-frame automation systems for the Prague distribution center. Two A-frame automatons enable automated picking of smaller boxes.
• McKesson Europe (historical acquisition)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPHOENIX group completed largest acquisition in its history acquiring parts of McKesson Europe in October 2022. Expanded into Belgium, Ireland, Portugal, Slovenia markets.
• SECURITAS ČRminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPhysical security provider for PHOENIX facilities.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Mediq: European distributor of medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and related healthcare products serving hospitals, pharmacies, and other providers. Comparable as a direct peer offering distribution to similar European healthcare customer base, now operating as part of PHOENIX group.
• Alliance Healthcare (Walgreens Boots Alliance): Alliance Healthcare is one of the largest pharmaceutical wholesalers in Europe, operating across multiple countries including the Czech Republic. It directly competes with PHOENIX in full-line Rx distribution to pharmacies and offers comparable pre-wholesale and distribution services.
• Tamro (PHOENIX Group): Finnish pharmaceutical wholesaler operating as part of PHOENIX group, providing distribution to pharmacies and hospitals across the Nordics. Comparable as a sister-company direct peer within the same parent group, serving similar customers in a different geography.

Broad incumbents

• McKesson Corporation: Global pharmaceutical distributor and parent of McKesson Europe assets that were acquired by PHOENIX group in October 2022. Comparable as a broad incumbent in pharma distribution; the 2022 acquisition explicitly linked the two companies.
• Cencora (formerly AmerisourceBergen): One of the world's largest pharmaceutical services companies, providing drug distribution and related services globally. Comparable as a broad incumbent in pharma distribution though primarily US-focused; relevant as a benchmark for scale and digital distribution capabilities.
• Cardinal Health: US-listed Fortune 15 healthcare services company distributing pharmaceuticals and medical products globally. Comparable as a broad incumbent in pharma wholesale and related medical distribution services.
• PHOENIX Group SE (parent): Parent organization operating in 29 European countries with €61.3B revenue, 210+ distribution centers, and 48,000 employees. Provides the Czech subsidiary with procurement scale, international CEE logistics capability, and corporate governance standards.

Regional players

• Interpharma: Slovak pharmaceutical wholesaler distributing to pharmacies and healthcare facilities across Slovakia, a neighboring CEE market. Comparable as a regional peer offering similar full-line distribution services to similar pharmacy customer base in an adjacent geography.
• Ewopharma: Central European pharmaceutical marketing and distribution company operating in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and other CEE markets. Comparable as a regional peer in CEE pharma distribution with manufacturer-focused services.

Others

• BENU Česká republika: Wholly-owned sister subsidiary of PHOENIX lékárenský velkoobchod operating ~300 retail pharmacies in Czech Republic. Vertically integrated with the wholesale entity and forms part of the same PHOENIX group Czech operations; adjacent as a downstream channel rather than a competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance12 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

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 Phoenix