The 6 Most Stolen Products in Pharmacies... and How Technology Can Help

Person seen from behind stealing in a modern pharmacy
Person seen from behind stealing in a modern pharmacy

Table of Contents

In the pharmacy sector, shoplifting remains a very real issue. Even though pharmacies are seen as trusted places, they're not immune to loss from theft. But which products are most targeted... and more importantly, how can we address this in a smart, modern way?

See below for the 6 products most commonly stolen from pharmacies , and how innovative solutions like suspicious gesture detection can significantly reduce these losses, while improving the customer experience.


💊 Over-the-counter Medicines

Painkillers, cold treatments, antacids and other self-service medicines are often targeted. Easy to access and small in size, they can be hidden in a flash.

How can you address it?
Real-time detection of suspicious gestures (like hiding a product under clothing, in a bag or even a pram) allows staff to be alerted without bothering customers.


🪥 Oral Hygiene Products

Electric toothbrushes, whitening kits and branded toothpastes are frequent targets. Their higher price makes them attractive to opportunistic thieves.

Benefit of smart surveillance:
With precise gesture analysis, it's possible to identify unusual behaviour without resorting to intrusive surveillance.


🧴 Cosmetics and Beauty Products

Facial creams, anti-ageing serums, high-end makeup... These products are both small and valuable – the perfect combination for theft.

The solution?
An artificial intelligence system like the one offered by Oxania detects abnormal behaviours before a theft even occurs, allowing proactive prevention.


🚼 Baby Products

Baby formula, nappies and wipes are also regularly targeted.

Artificial intelligence for an effective approach:
Thanks to gesture-based detection, staff can step in in a considerate manner, without creating tension with customers.


🧼 Premium Personal Care

Essential oils, organic lotions and dermatological creams are often stolen from inner city pharmacies. Their placement on accessible shelves makes theft easier.

AI advantage:
Cameras equipped with smart algorithms continuously analyse movement without storing personal data, thus ensuring privacy is respected.


🧠 Dietary Supplements

Vitamins, fat burners, weight loss and sleep aids are among the most popular – and most stolen – products.

Reducing losses:
By identifying risky behaviour (quick concealment, suspicious gestures), teams can act fast and effectively.


🤖 Technology for Security... and Customer Experience

Today, it's possible to secure pharmacies without turning them into fortresses. Innovative solutions like suspicious gesture detection using artificial intelligence offer a modern answer to the challenges of shoplifting.

👉 They enable you to reduce losses , improve staff vigilance and above all, provide customers with a smooth and relaxed experience .

Companies like Oxania offer high-performance, privacy-respecting technologies already adopted by many businesses in the sector.


🛍️ In summary

Theft in pharmacies is a reality, but it isn't inevitable. By combining smart prevention , cutting-edge technology and a customer-focused approach , pharmacies can create a safer environment for everyone.


💡 Want to know more about smart detection solutions for suspicious behaviour? Contact us for a personalised demo.

Let's make a difference together