User:Mhaemmerli/Amavita

Amavita is a network of pharmacies comprising 179 branches in Switzerland (as of 31 December 2020). The pharmacies belong to the Galenica Group, which is headquartered in Bern, and are managed by GaleniCare Management Ltd.

Amavita offers a range of healthcare products, including medication available only on prescription as well as on an over-the-counter basis. The range also contains care products, naturopathy products, medical supplies and products for babies. In around half of the pharmacies, cosmetic products and perfumes are also sold. Further, Amavita offers healthcare services such as heart and allergy checks, hearing tests, blood pressure measurements, vaccinations and polymedication checks.

In addition to its fixed pharmacies, Amavita also runs an online shop with more than 60,000 products. Using the Click&Collect function, clients can order products online and collect them at a branch. Since 2020, Amavita has also offered the possibility of a mail-order pharmacy. Since the foundation of the brand in 2005, Amavita has had a loyalty program – the Starcard.

History
In 2005, GaleniCare and the Victoria pharmacy chain came together to operate under the Amavita brand. The Starcard was introduced across Switzerland. Around 1,000 members of staff were employed. In 2006, the 100th Amavita pharmacy opened at Chur railway station, and the Amavita Magazine was launched. In 2007, the pharmacy network was expanded with the Amavita partnership model. In 2008, three branches were opened at Zurich Airport and one branch at Bern railway station that are open for customers seven days a week. In 2009, the first Amavita points of sale were opened in Ticino in Lugano and Morbio Inferiore.

In 2010, Amavita opened its first pharmacy on Zurich’s Bahnhofstrasse. In Ticino, Amavita was now represented with nine pharmacies after only a short time. Own-brand products were launched in the area of medication. In 2013, “Health Day” was held for the second time: more than 1,000 people had their health values determined at Amavita pharmacies. In 2014, Amalino, the Amavita mascot, was created, and the AllergyCheck was introduced across Switzerland. Around 2,200 members of staff were employed at this time. In 2015, the Amavita online shop was launched. In 2016, Amavita positioned itself as a skin expert. In 2017, the Click&Collect service was launched, and the Amavita Magazine was now published at monthly intervals. In 2018, the eMediplan app was launched. Amavita offered 20 healthcare services and positioned itself as a health center. In 2019, Amavita published its Meine Haut magazine (My Skin) for the first time. Some 189 pharmacies were active in Switzerland. In 2020, the Amavita mail-order pharmacy was launched.