PRESS RELEASE 10.6.2025
Launching Finland’s first online pharmacy focused on pet health
Kivuton, a Finnish e-commerce platform dedicated to pet health and originating from a veterinary clinic, expands into pharmacy products. The new Eläinapteekki Kivuton combines pharmacy operations with veterinary expertise, making it the first online pharmacy in Finland to specialise in veterinary care and offer non-prescription medications delivered directly to pet owners' homes. The venture is in collaboration with the online pharmacy Olo-apteekki and pharmacist Kenneth Forssell.
The wellness trend reaches pets
The time and money spent on pets’ wellbeing continues to grow year by year. People want to provide their pets the best possible care, and awareness around preventing and treating health issues is on the rise. Kivuton meets this demand by making pet wellness more accessible — now including non-prescription veterinary medicines.
“We offer customers a comprehensive understanding of pet health along with an extensive range of wellness-focused products — from specialty diets and supplements to care products,” says Henna Söderholm, veterinarian at Kivuton. “We believe there is strong demand for this kind of expertise among pet owners.”
Already trusted by over 100,000 Finnish pet owners, Kivuton is now expanding its expert offering into a new category. Eläinapteekki Kivuton brings together the pharmaceutical-grade selection, professional support, and convenience of online shopping.
Deworming and tick treatments delivered to your door
Eläinapteekki Kivuton operates as a dedicated section of the Kivuton webshop, where non-prescription medicines are available.
Two major categories dominate non-prescription veterinary medications: internal parasite treatments (deworming) and external parasite control (such as tick prevention). Demand for tick treatments is increasing steadily as ticks are now widespread across nearly all of Finland.
The pharmacy will also offer products for managing pet allergies, wounds, stress, and acute digestive issues, among other. Pharmacists and veterinarians are available for support and advice via phone or online.
A pharmacist committed to developing online services
Eläinapteekki Kivuton operates under the pharmacy license of Kenneth Forssell, who already has significant experience in digital pharmacy services through his ownership of both the Kaivopuisto Pharmacy in Helsinki and the rapidly growing online pharmacy, Olo-apteekki. All pharmaceutical sales through Eläinapteekki Kivuton are under his watch, ensuring a high standard of safety and reliability in line with all Finnish pharmacies.
“The pharmacy sector needs bold innovations that respond to changing demand and customer expectations in online services. Our partnership with Kivuton allows just such a reform,” says Forssell.
Pharmacy operations and medicine sales in Finland are regulated by Fimea. Forssell welcomes the oversight: “Kivuton has years of experience and a deep understanding of pet health. Through this partnership, customers of Eläinapteekki Kivuton can now receive expert and responsible pharmaceutical advice when selecting the right medication for their pets,” he adds.
Looking to neighbouring countries for inspiration
In Sweden and Estonia, online pharmacies are already a routine part of pet healthcare. While electronic prescriptions are standard for human medicine in Finland, veterinary prescriptions are not yet included in online pharmacy services — only over-the-counter medications can be sold online. In both the pet and pharmacy sectors, online sales are rapidly growing.
“We develop our product range based on customer needs. Deworming treatments are already among the most searched products in our webshop — and now they’re finally available,” says Ilari Haataja, CEO of Kivuton.
Could electronic prescriptions for veterinary medicines be next? Haataja is optimistic: “We’d welcome that development. I see no reason why not — it would make life easier for veterinary clinics, pharmacies, and pet owners alike.”
Eläinapteekki Kivuton is available starting June 10, 2025, at www.elainapteekki.fi
Media Contacts:
Hanna Lemmetti
CMO, Kivuton
+358 40 510 9420
hanna@kivuton.com
Kenneth Forssell
Pharmacist, Kaivopuiston Apteekki & Olo-apteekki
+358 40 373 6036
kenneth.forssell@oloapteekki.fi
