The Pharmacy Industry in Melhus: Current Status and Future Prospects

Pharmacies in Melhus municipality form a stable but dynamic sector dominated by two businesses. The two pharmacies, Apotek 1 Melhus and Vitusapotek Melhustorget, operate in the center of Melhus and have a combined total of 26 employees. The industry has experienced both challenges and growth over the past few years, with a significant sales decline in 2017 followed by a gradual increase since 2020. EBITDA margins range between 6–7%, and the sector shows potential for further development in a municipality with good infrastructure and population density.

Economic data shows that sales for pharmacy businesses in Melhus experienced a sharp decline of -56.8% from 2016 to 2017, but have since stabilized with a growth of +25.6% from 2024 to 2025. The number of employees has varied between 21 and 26 over the past few years, with a decline of -21.2% from 2016 to 2017 and a gradual increase since 2022. EBITDA margins range between 6–7%, and the industry has a high gross profit margin of over 15,000%. This indicates a sector with good efficiency, even though there have been periods of instability.

Two businesses are registered in the pharmacy sector in Melhus:

• Apotek 1 Melhus (Jernbanevegen 11): AS (limited liability company) organizational form, 15 employees, sales of NOK 38.7 million, EBITDA of NOK 2.8 million.
• Vitusapotek Melhustorget (Rådhusvegen 7): AS (limited liability company) organizational form, 11 employees, sales of NOK 23.6 million, EBITDA of NOK 1.5 million.

Both businesses are solid and have been in operation since 1996 and 2006 respectively. The AS (limited liability company) organizational form is dominant in the industry, with two companies and 26 employees in total.

Pharmacy businesses in Melhus are concentrated in the city center:

• Melhus: 2 businesses, 26 employees, sales of NOK 62.3 million, operating income of NOK 63.1 million, EBITDA of NOK 4.3 million.

This shows that the pharmacy sector is centrally located in the municipality, with a clear focus on central locations. There is no data available on activity in other city districts or small towns in Melhus municipality.

The industry has been stable with no businesses reported to have gone bankrupt in recent years. Both pharmacies have been in operation since 1996 and 2006 respectively without having gone bankrupt. This indicates a sector with good financial health, even though the number of employees has varied. There are no indications of major sanctions or operational challenges affecting the industry due to bankruptcy.

The development shows that the pharmacy sector in Melhus has potential for further growth, especially after the strong sales increase from 2024 to 2025 (+25.6%). A stable number of employees and absence of bankruptcy indicate a sector with good resilience. For entrepreneurs, this is a positive signal, with opportunities to establish themselves in a municipality with good infrastructure and population density. SmartGrunder can help find suitable locations in Melhus for pharmacy businesses.

The pharmacy sector in Melhus municipality shows a mix of stability and growth. With two businesses in operation, good financial health, and a positive development in sales in recent years, the sector is an attractive field for entrepreneurs. The concentrated location in the city center and absence of bankruptcy underscore a sector with potential for further development. It is important to follow updates on sales and operational results to identify potential opportunities in the future.