Our

history

The following milestones have shaped the history of DocMorris. From delivering medicines to doctors in Switzerland to becoming one of Europe's leading online pharmacies, join us on the journey towards our vision of creating a world where people can manage their health with one click.

May 2023
Zur Rose Group sells its Swiss business to Migros/Medbase and focuses on its core B2C business, mainly in Germany. At the same time, the company is renamed DocMorris.
November 2021
DocMorris DoctiPharma expands its product range to include over-the-counter (OTC) medications.
October 2021
Collaboration with healthcare company Roche offers innovative health journeys for people living with diabetes.
June 2021
The DocMorris health app develops significantly with its centred portfolio of services – from online doctor consultations, e-prescription redemption, pharmaceutical advice, and other digital solutions to various delivery options for medicines and healthcare products.
March 2021
The first health journey launches in collaboration with global healthcare company Novo Nordisk. DocMorris Adipositas Care (Obesity Care) is a digital hub empowering people with obesity to find relevant care for a better quality of life.
August 2020
The Zur Rose Group acquires the e-commerce and diabetes activities of the online pharmacy Apotal in Germany.
July 2020
The Zur Rose Group acquires TeleClinic, Germany’s leading telemedicine provider.
January 2020
Zur Rose and the innovative health service provider Medbase extend their cooperation and run shop-in-shop pharmacies in the Swiss Migros supermarket branches, as well as the Zur Rose webshop, through two joint ventures.
February 2019
The Zur Rose Group extends its marketplace business model to France by acquiring the marketplace DoctiPharma.
January 2019
The Zur Rose Group acquires the e-commerce activities of medpex (Germany’s third-largest online pharmacy at the time).
November 2018
The Zur Rose Group acquires the activities of online pharmacy apo-rot in Germany.
September 2018
The Zur Rose Group acquires the Spanish marketplace PromoFarma for health, beauty and personal care products (BPC).
December 2017
Acquisition of Eurapon Pharmahandel GmbH in Germany and the online pharmacy Vitalsana B.V. in the Netherlands.
July 2017
The first shop-in-shop pharmacy opens in the Migros supermarket branch in Bern, Switzerland, promoting closer interactions with customers as part of our omni-channel strategy.
July 2017
The Zur Rose Group’s shares are traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange in a successful IPO. This is the starting point of our journey towards building the go-to digital health destination in Europe in line with our long-term growth strategy.
September 2015
Online prescription account launches for customers in Switzerland offering prescription refill orders, direct repeat prescription requests and past purchase information.
June 2015
The DocMorris HQ moves to Avantis Business Park in Heerlen, Netherlands, with a state-of-the-art logistics centre and new administrative building.
March 2015
Zur Rose acquires BlueCare AG, a company specialising in integrated care and primary care models.
June 2014
The handling of all mail-order business under the VfG brand is transferred to Halle an der Saale, Germany. Subsequently, the logistics centre in the Czech Republic is closed.
October 2012
Zur Rose acquires DocMorris, Europe’s largest online pharmacy.
August 2011
The HomeCare service is launched in Switzerland where nurses help patients at home with complex medication treatment.
January 2011
Non-prescription (OTC) drugs are added to the product range offered in Swiss online business.
July 2009
The pharmaceutical company Helvepharm AG is sold to sanofi aventis.
April 2007
Zur Rose extends Swiss range to include health, beauty and personal care products (BPC).
December 2006
Czech-based VfG online pharmacy is acquired, operating in Germany.
September 2006
Launch of the Dailymed service, allowing patients to individually portion and dose a variety of medications.
July 2006
The initial pro-rata shareholding in Helvepharm AG becomes a full takeover.
December 2004
Zur Rose Pharma GmbH is established in Halle an der Saale, marking the start of its online business in Germany.
May 2001
The acquisitions of Ogera AG and Neuen Kloster Apotheke AG increase the market share in the supply of products to dispensing doctors to more than 25%, making Zur Rose one of the market leaders.
January 2001
Swiss mail-order pharmacy starts delivering medications to patients.
January 2000
Equity interest in Helvepharm AG as part of a joint venture with Germany’s third-largest generic drug manufacturer STADA Arzneimittel AG.
October 1999
Zur Rose moves from Steckborn, Switzerland to Frauenfeld and commissions a logistics centre covering a total area of 4,500 m².
July 1999
The delivery service, PolyRose is founded as a joint subsidiary of Zur Rose and Polymed Medical Center.
June 1993
Medical supply to Swiss doctors begins.
March 1993
Zur Rose is founded by Walter Oberhänsli and a group of medical doctors. The first brick-and-mortar pharmacy opens in Steckborn, Switzerland.

How it all started

It all began with a love for a particular building in Steckborn, Switzerland. An idea was born and the building became an innovative centre for medical self-help. It goes on to become Europe's largest e-commerce pharmacy.

Zur Rose story