Galenica maintained its growth trajectory during the first nine months of 2026, lifting total net sales by 5.7% to CHF 3,172.0 million compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. Primary drivers included positive momentum in the pharmacy operations, strong expansion in the home-care division, and the inclusion of the diagnostics business segment. Temporary assortment constraints linked to an ERP system transition resulted in moderated growth within the wholesale unit during the third quarter.
Chief Financial Officer Julian Fiessinger noted that the high-margin Products & Care segment continued its expansion through the third quarter, highlighting the performance of the pharmacy network and home care activities. Fiessinger added that wholesale growth momentum is expected to rebound in the fourth quarter following the completion of the ERP upgrade, keeping the company on track to meet its annual guidance.
The Pharmacies Omni-Channel division increased net sales by 6.2% to CHF 1,134.5 million, with organic growth reaching 4.5%. Prescription medication demand remained a key catalyst, specifically GLP-1 weight-loss treatments and therapies for rheumatic conditions. This enabled Galenica pharmacies to expand market share across prescription and over-the-counter products, which rose 5.3%, alongside a 1.1% increase in the non-medication consumer health care segment. Fee-based advisory and health services also expanded, with approximately 290,000 services performed during the nine-month period, representing a 26% increase that included 34,000 vaccinations.
The Products & Brands segment generated net sales of CHF 136.5 million, down 7.2%, affected by seasonal factors and adverse special influences in international operations. Market sales of Verfora products decreased by 2.4% within a challenging environment focused on cold and flu treatments, while the broader Swiss over-the-counter health product market remained flat with a 0.3% rise over the same period.
The Services & Production division increased net sales by 5.8% to CHF 93.6 million, or 10.5% excluding the impact from closing Bichsel's pharmaceutical manufacturing operations. Growth was driven by home-care services from Bichsel, Lifestage Solutions, and Medifilm. The diagnostics business contributed CHF 91.6 million to the group's net sales in the first nine months of 2026.
A significant milestone in the wholesale unit was achieved when Galexis successfully completed its ERP system implementation at the Niederbipp site in September. The concluding phase established a foundation for advancing logistics services and improving automation and efficiency in wholesale operations. Wholesale net sales reached CHF 2,441.3 million, marking a 2.8% increase, while the Logistics & IT Services unit recorded net sales of CHF 58.6 million, up 0.5% year on year.
Galenica confirmed its full-year 2026 outlook, projecting net sales growth between 5% and 7%, adjusted EBIT growth between 6% and 8%, and a dividend payout at least matching the prior year's level. The group schedules its 2026 sales update for January 21, 2027, followed by the full-year results on March 9, 2027, and the annual general meeting on April 22, 2027.
