49% of pharmacists see the growing iHerb service as an absolute danger, because more and more people buy OTC drugs online, according to an online survey by the RNC Pharma analyst company and the Doktor Na Rabote (Doctor at Work) social media service for doctors. However, it is obvious that the respondents also meant other online marketplaces, since the Russian market has a number of specialized and non-specialized players selling dietary supplements, cosmetic products, and other pharmacy products. Another 4% of the pharmacists note that the consumer is basically the same both online and offline, and their budget is very limited due to the current economic conditions.

As many as 35% of the respondents are not afraid of such competition, believing that the product selection still has significant differences, and delivery requires time, sometimes quite a lot. Another 9% are sure that there is no need to be afraid of serious competition as long as the online sale of Rx drugs is banned in Russia.

2% of the respondents – not only regular pharmacists, but also heads of pharmacies and pharmacy chains – have never even heard of iHerb. Some of them are aged between 25 and 35.

Do you see the iHerb service, which is growing in Russia, as a potential danger and competitor? (single-answer question)