Industry · municipality
The Pharmacy Industry in Hå – Companies, Statistics, and Outlooks
A detailed analysis of the pharmacy industry in Hå Municipality based on operational data and company information from 2016 to 2025. Focus on economic trends, organizational forms, and geographic distribution of activity in Hå Municipality in Rogaland County.
Brief Overview of the Pharmacy Industry in Hå
Pharmacies in Hå constitute a stable but variable industry with four registered companies. The two most active areas are Nærbø and Vigrestad, where Nærbø dominates with two pharmacies and 25 employees. Outlooks are mixed: although sales experienced a sharp increase in 2018, they fell by 50% in 2023 before rising again in 2024. Employee numbers show an increase from 23 to 35 between 2016 and 2025, but a decline in 2026. This dynamic highlights both potential and challenges for new entrants.
Economic Overview of the Pharmacy Industry
Sales and Employee Development
| Year | Sales (NOK) | Employees |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 28.9M | 23 |
| 2017 | 29.8M | 25 |
| 2018 | 75.8M | 25 |
| 2019 | 84.5M | 26 |
| 2020 | 78.4M | 23 |
| 2021 | 82.4M | 24 |
| 2022 | 77.9M | 25 |
| 2023 | 38.8M | 30 |
| 2024 | 53.4M | 34 |
| 2025 | 79.0M | 35 |
Sales experienced an extreme increase of 153.9% from 2017 to 2018, but fell by 50.2% in 2023. Employee development has been more stable, with a 20% increase from 2022 to 2023. This sharp sales decline in 2023 is a unique development not previously observed to the same extent.



Companies in the Pharmacy Industry
Registered Companies
Four companies are registered in Hå:
- Apotek 1 Heilo (Torggata 2, Nærbø) – AS, 16 employees, high sales (38.7M NOK) and operating profit (2.2M NOK)
- Nærbø Apotek As (Torggata 16, Nærbø) – AS, 9 employees, no operational data
- Vitusapotek Vigrestad (Langgata 23, Vigrestad) – AS, 5 employees, no operational data
- Vitusapotek Jæren (Stasjonsvegen 14, Varhaug) – AS, 0 employees, no operational data
All companies are AS entities, indicating a standardized organizational form in the industry. Apotek 1 Heilo is the most economically stable company with a high margin (7% EBITDA) and significant operating income.
Geographic Distribution of Activity
Distribution of Activity
| Location | Number of Companies | Employees | Sales (NOK) | Operating Profit (NOK) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nærbø | 2 | 25 | 38.7M | 2.2M |
| Vigrestad | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
Nærbø dominates with two active pharmacies and 25 employees, while Vigrestad has one company with no operational data. This shows a clear concentration of activity in Nærbø, which is the central area of the municipality.

Operational Viability and Bankruptcies
None of the four companies have gone bankrupt, indicating a relatively stable industry. However, Nærbø Apotek As and Vitusapotek Vigrestad have no operational data, which may indicate newly established or recently formed companies. Vitusapotek Jæren has no employees and no operational data, which could be an indication of a potential challenge for future operations in Varhaug.
Outlook for New Entrants
Outlook for Entrepreneurs
The industry shows both opportunities and challenges:
- Opportunities: Sales growth from 2024 to 2025 (47.9%) and increasing employee numbers (from 25 to 35) indicate a positive trend.
- Challenges: The extreme sales decline in 2023 (50.2%) and missing operational data for two companies may indicate uncertainty in the sector.
- Geographic Focus: Nærbø is the most promising area with two active pharmacies and high economic activity.
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Conclusion
The pharmacy industry in Hå shows a mix of stability and uncertainty. With four companies and a concentration of activity in Nærbø, it is possible to identify both potential and challenges. The economic development has been variable, but a positive trend can be observed in recent years. Entrepreneurs should consider both geographic and economic factors when considering establishing themselves in the municipality.