Sweden's retail pharmacy Apoteket for sale

STOCKHOLM Four retailers have staked their claim to the Swedish government’s sale of its retail pharmacy, Apoteket, the government announced Monday, netting $844.5 million.

Apoteket sales, under government control, totaled $4.6 billion.

“There are four serious players entering the market, and I am confident that they will conduct their activities in a good way,” stated Stefan Carlsson, president and CEO of Apoteket.

The four players who acquired clusters include:

• Heart Pharmacy, which will assume control of 208 pharmacies, with $1 billion in sales and 1,500 employees;
• Crown Droghandel: 171 pharmacies, with $642.9 million in sales and 930 employees;
• Medstop Holding: 62 pharmacies, with $452 million in sales and 660 employees; and
• Care Pharmacy in Scandinavia: 24 pharmacies, with $204.6 million in sales and 230 employees.