Expopharm 2026 Munich: Europe’s leading trade fair for the pharmacy market
From 15 to 17 September 2026, Messe München turns into the biggest meeting point of the pharmacy world: under the motto “For the future of our pharmacies”, Expopharm brings together around 500 exhibitors, some 200 top speakers and professionals from community pharmacy, industry and health policy. What awaits Swiss pharmacists — and why the trip is worthwhile.
Key points
- European leading trade fair for the pharmacy market, 15–17 September 2026 in Munich.
- More than 500 exhibitors across over 33,000 m² of exhibition space.
- Around 200 talks on AI, pharmaceutical services, cannabis and the pharmacy of the future.
- The German Pharmacists’ Congress runs alongside as a health policy forum.
Anyone looking for a compact overview of the current state of the pharmacy sector in the German-speaking world can hardly avoid Expopharm. Organised annually by Avoxa – Mediengruppe Deutscher Apotheker, the event is regarded as the European leading trade fair for community pharmacy and alternates between Düsseldorf and Munich. In 2026 it is the Bavarian capital’s turn once again.
Key facts at a glance
15–17 September 2026 — Messe München Three days, more than 33,000 m² of exhibition space, around 500 exhibitors and brands from industry, wholesale, technology and services. The guiding theme of the 2026 edition is “For the future of our pharmacies”. → expopharm.de
Programme and focal points
Around 200 talks by some 200 speakers from science and practice form the professional backbone of the fair. In terms of content, Expopharm 2026 sets four priorities:
- The pharmacy of the future – new care and business models for community pharmacy.
- AI and digital innovations – from prescription workflow to decision support in counselling.
- Pharmaceutical services – with a focus on vaccination in the pharmacy and the potential to expand low-threshold care offerings.
- Cannabis – product information, regulatory classification and counselling knowledge.
Alongside these, classic industry topics such as recruitment, business management and marketing are a fixed part of the programme.
German Pharmacists’ Congress alongside the fair
Running at the same time as Expopharm, the German Pharmacists’ Congress (Deutscher Apothekertag, DAT) convenes — the highest professional policy body of the German pharmacy profession. While the fair puts products and services in the foreground, professional representatives, politicians and industry debate the regulatory course of the coming months next door. That proximity makes the venue a political focal point for the sector every year. → Deutscher Apothekertag
What Expopharm offers Swiss professionals
Even though the regulatory situation in Germany and Switzerland differs, the trip to Munich is worthwhile for several reasons:
- Technology and workflow: many providers of inventory management, robotics and digital tools operate across the German-speaking region. Expopharm is the opportunity to compare solutions live and side by side.
- Industry and OTC trends: new product lines are often presented here for the first time and later find their way into Swiss ranges.
- Pharmaceutical services: the German market is trialling individual models (such as vaccination or medication review) on a broad scale — a useful reality check for Swiss pilot projects.
- Networking: three days of concentrated industry attendance from across the entire European pharmacy market.
Practical notes
Messe München is easily reached via Munich Airport and the ICE railway station; hotel allocations near the fairground are, in our experience, booked out early. Anyone planning a visit should see to tickets, accommodation and — where relevant — registration for individual workshops or side events in good time. → Frequently asked questions about Expopharm → Topics and programme overview
