Czech billionaires expand Dr. Max pharmacy empire in Italy

Czech billionaires Marek Dospiva and Jaroslav Haščák, the men behind the investment group Penta Investments, are continuing to expand their Dr. Max pharmacy chain into the Italian market. The company has acquired the Italian operator Farmacie Italiane, which owns 44 pharmacies, four parapharmacy stores and the online shop Loreto Gallo.

The parties have not disclosed the value of the deal. What is known is that Farmacie Italiane posted revenue of 219 million euros in 2025. Thanks to the acquisition, Dr. Max will pass the 300-pharmacy mark in Italy — the deal still needs approval from Italy's antitrust regulator.

Dr. Max CEO Leonardo Ferrandino called the acquisition “an important milestone on the company's path to international growth.” According to him, after a record-breaking 2025, when Dr. Max became Europe's largest pharmacy chain by number of its own outlets, the company continues to invest in people and key markets as part of its long-term strategy.

Dr. Max, part of Dospiva and Haščák's investment group Penta Investments, operates more than 3,300 pharmacies in six European countries. In Italy the chain plans to keep growing — according to market sources, the company is considering acquiring Hippocrates Holding, Italy's largest pharmacy holding company.