The Ultimate Guide to Dropshipping Medical Supplies on Shopify

Have you ever considered leveraging this trend by starting your own dropshipping medical supply store on Shopify?  This comprehensive guide is your one-stop shop for success. 

Let’s dive in!

What To Keep In Mind When Dropshipping Medical Supplies on Shopify

To ensure the success and legality of your business, here are several key factors you should carefully consider:

Compliance and Legal Regulations

Ensure that all your products meet the regulatory standards: FDA approval for the US market and similar bodies globally, such as the EMA in Europe or TGA in Australia. You should understand and adhere to the regulations concerning medical supplies’ sale, distribution, and advertising.

Supplier Reliability and Product Quality

Partner with suppliers who are certified to produce and sell medical supplies. Suppliers must comply with international standards such as ISO for medical devices. Reliable suppliers will ensure product quality and safety, especially for medical items.

Product Authenticity and Safety

Only sell genuine and safe products for consumer use, and you must not sell counterfeit products.

Detailed Product Descriptions

Provide clear and accurate product descriptions and specifications on your Shopify store. Include usage instructions, ingredients, contraindications, and any warnings. This transparency helps build trust with your customers and protects you legally.

Handling and Shipping

Some medical supplies may have specific storage or shipping requirements, such as temperature-controlled environments. Ensure that your logistics provider can meet these requirements to maintain the integrity of the products during transit.

12 Best Medical Supplies For Dropshipping

After taking into account all the factors mentioned above, you can start thinking about which products would best align with these conditions and be a good fit for your dropshipping business.

Disposable Gloves

The disposable gloves market was valued at approximately $12.3 billion in 2019. With heightened awareness and regulatory standards driving up demand across multiple sectors, it is projected to reach $18 billion by 2032.

The demand has surged dramatically due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with healthcare providers and the general public increasing usage significantly to prevent virus transmission. Moreover, food processing, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology industries continue to contribute to steady market growth.

Besides healthcare, there is increasing use in beauty salons, spas, tattoo parlors, and pet care, providing further opportunities for market expansion.

Face Masks

The pandemic has significantly transformed public health behaviors, transitioning face masks from a medical necessity to a regular item in everyday life. They are now commonly used not only in hospitals and clinics but also in public spaces, workplaces, and homes. This widespread use across different sectors ensures a continuous demand. According to Allied Market Research, the face mask market is expected to stabilize, reaching an estimated value of $9,052.1 million by 2027.

Face masks are lightweight and compact and they can be shipped in large quantities without significant increases in shipping costs.

Hand Sanitizers

Hand sanitizer is now a common sight in homes, workplaces, public transport, and social spaces, indicating its broad and sustained use. You can cater to diverse preferences by offering various sanitizer formulations (gel, foam, spray) and alcohol concentrations (consider regulations in your target market). Include travel-sized options for on-the-go convenience.

Like face masks, hand sanitizers are generally lightweight and compact, making them economical to ship. They don’t require special storage conditions (apart from keeping away from extreme heat), which simplifies logistics.

First Aid Kits

First aid kits are a must-have for any household, workplace, school, vehicle, or public venue. The market is varied, from compact kits for personal travel to comprehensive sets for professional settings like offices and industrial sites. This diversity allows you to target multiple segments, increasing your potential customer base.

First aid kits are not fragile and usually do not require any temperature-controlled shipping, which simplifies logistics and can help reduce costs.

Orthopedic Braces and Supports

Active lifestyles and an aging population are driving a surge in demand for orthopedic braces and supports. 

Here’s why you should consider including orthopedic braces and supports in your medical supply offerings:

• Cater to athletes, those with chronic pain, or recovering from injuries – a rapidly growing customer segment.
• Braces often have higher profit margins compared to basic medical supplies.
• Customers with ongoing needs may repurchase, fostering loyalty and recurring revenue.

Dropshipping orthopedic braces lets you tap into a profitable market without managing physical inventory. Conduct market research to identify the most popular and effective braces for your target audience.

Thermometers

Thermometers are indispensable in healthcare management, both in clinical settings and at home. Their demand is consistent and spikes during health crises such as flu seasons or pandemics due to their critical role in monitoring fevers, one of the most common symptoms of many infections and illnesses.

Most thermometers are small, light, and durable, which makes them inexpensive to ship and less prone to damage during transit, an ideal product to dropship.

Diagnostic Test Kits

Diagnostic test kits are crucial tools in preventive healthcare, chronic disease management, and during health crises. The market for these kits has grown significantly, driven by an increased focus on personalized healthcare and the convenience of self-monitoring. 

With rising healthcare costs and advancements in technology, more individuals are turning to at-home testing to monitor their health conditions regularly.

Data Bridge Market Research analyzes that the global diagnostic tests market, which includes home testing kits, is expected to reach a value of USD 495.85 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 8.4% during the forecast period of 2024 to 2031. This impressive growth indicates a strong demand for convenient at-home testing solutions.

Pain Relief Patches & Sprays

Pain management is a common issue, making pain relief products a profitable choice for your dropshipping medical supply store.

Pain relief products often have higher profit margins than basic medical supplies, which can lead to greater earnings. Many pain relief items, such as patches and sprays, are compact and lightweight, making them easy to store and ship, which simplifies logistics for your dropshipping business.

Artificial Tears

Dry eyes are a common discomfort affecting many people due to various factors like screen time, allergies, or environmental conditions. Dropshipping artificial tears can be a strategic move for your medical supply store.

Artificial tears often have a lower upfront cost compared to some medical supplies, allowing for competitive pricing and potentially higher profit margins.

Blood pressure monitors

There’s a growing global awareness about the importance of monitoring health indicators like blood pressure, especially among populations with a higher risk of hypertension and heart-related diseases.

While blood pressure monitors are not typically repeat purchases like consumables, there is potential for upgrades. As technology advances, customers might look to upgrade to newer models with better features, providing ongoing sales opportunities. 

Additionally, blood pressure monitors can be bundled with other health-related products, such as stethoscopes, cholesterol test kits, or diabetic supplies, to increase average order value. This also positions your store as a comprehensive source for health monitoring needs.

Dermatology Supplies

The rise of self-care routines has fueled a significant demand for high-quality skincare products. By offering various dermatology supplies, you cater to this growing audience. 

Dermatology supplies encompass a diverse array of products, including clinical dermatological equipment (like UV phototherapy lamps and dermatoscopes), skin care products (such as moisturizers, cleansers, and treatments for conditions like acne or eczema), and more specialized items (like scar treatment sheets and topical steroids) so you can easily offer a variety of products to attract a broad customer base.

Many dermatology products, especially skincare items, require regular use and replenishment, leading to repeat purchases. Building customer loyalty in this sector can provide a reliable revenue stream for your business.

Maternity Supplies

The range of maternity supplies is extensive, you can choose to offer maternity clothing, pregnancy pillows, prenatal vitamins, stretch mark creams, breast pumps, nursing bras, or baby monitors.

If dropshipping maternity supplies, you can also provide valuable information through blogs, videos, and guides about pregnancy, childbirth, and newborn care can draw more traffic to your store.

Top 5 Suppliers For Dropshipping Medical Supplies

Finding reliable suppliers is make-or-break your dropshipping business. If you’ve already decided on the products to dropship, here are five highly recommended suppliers known for their quality products that you should take a look at:

Alibaba

As one of the largest global marketplaces, Alibaba offers a vast array of medical supplies at wholesale prices. This makes it easy to find everything from basic consumables to specialized equipment. Since you’re buying directly from manufacturers or wholesalers, you can often negotiate prices or order terms, which is beneficial for keeping costs down.

Walmart

Walmart is known for its extensive product range and reliability. By using Walmart as a supplier, you can tap into a wide selection of medical supplies, ensuring both quality and quick delivery. Moreover, Walmart’s reputation for customer service and return policies provides an additional layer of security for your business.

AliExpress

Similar to Alibaba, AliExpress is a global retail marketplace offering a wide variety of products, including medical supplies. It’s ideal for dropshippers because of its low prices and no minimum order requirements. This flexibility allows you to test different products without a significant upfront investment.

Costco

Costco Wholesale is famed for its bulk products and competitive prices. While primarily a membership warehouse club, Costco’s range of medical supplies can be quite extensive, including over-the-counter medications, diagnostic equipment, and personal care items. This makes it a great source for stocking up on high-demand supplies.

AliMed

AliMed is a specialized supplier focusing on healthcare products. They offer a wide range of medical supplies, including unique and hard-to-find items. Their specialization in healthcare means they understand the needs of medical supply buyers well, providing tailored services and products that are perfect for a dedicated medical supply dropshipping store.

How To Start A Medical Supplies Dropshipping Business On Shopify

Step 1: Sourcing Your Suppliers

Starting your medical supplies dropshipping business on Shopify begins with finding the right suppliers. This step is crucial as it directly impacts the quality of the products you offer and the reliability of your store’s operations.

It’s best to choose suppliers who offer a wide range of quality products and dependable fulfillment services. 

Look for suppliers like Alibaba, Walmart, and AliExpress, which provide diverse inventories and competitive pricing. Additionally, consider specialized distributors such as AliMed for unique medical supplies (as we just mentioned above) or you can source suppliers by yourself. However, make sure the suppliers have good reputations and can integrate seamlessly with Shopify, enabling you to manage your store efficiently. 

Step 2: Build Your Online Store

Building your Shopify online store is the next critical step in launching your medical supplies dropshipping business. Start by signing up for a Shopify account and setting up the basics of your store, such as payment methods, shipping, etc.

Next up, choose a clean and professional theme to make your store look trustworthy and easy to navigate—themes like “Focal” or “Sahara” are excellent choices for a medical supplies shop. Customize your theme to reflect your brand, ensuring it resonates with the professionalism expected in the healthcare industry.

Step 3: Add Your Products

You have two main methods: manually adding products or using automated tools.

• Manually Adding Products: This approach gives you full control over how your products are presented and is often preferred for ensuring accuracy in product details and customization. It is suitable if you dropship a small number of products.
• Automated Product Addition: For efficiency and scalability, consider using automation apps like AutoDS, Zopi, and DSers (available on the Shopify App Store). These apps can automate the process of adding products, updating inventory, and syncing orders with suppliers, saving you so much time and effort.

Next, organize your products into clear categories, such as diagnostics, personal care, first aid kits, etc., to help customers easily find what they need. Make sure to use high-quality images and detailed descriptions for each product to provide clarity and boost confidence among shoppers. 

Step 4: Launch Your Store

Before going live, thoroughly test your website and check all links, product descriptions, images, and the checkout process to ensure everything works seamlessly. 

You should pay particular attention to the functionality of search features and the responsiveness of your site across different devices, such as tablets and smartphones.

You can consider a soft launch with a limited audience to test the site. This can help catch any last-minute issues before a full-scale public launch.

Step 5: Marketing And Promotion

For medical supplies, you should have a mix of marketing channels and methods. You can create a blog to share valuable content and use platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to reach your target audience. Targeted ads can also be considered to reach specific demographics, such as healthcare professionals or individuals interested in health and wellness.

Moreover, once customers are on your site, you can consider offering time-limited discounts, bundle deals, or special promotions for first-time buyers to encourage purchases. Seasonal sales and loyalty programs can also help keep your brand top of mind.

Step 6: Managing Orders and Customer Service

Once your Shopify store is up and running, you should leverage Shopify’s built-in tools to keep track of orders, inventory levels, and shipping status.

Always ensure that your dropshipping suppliers are reliable and capable of promptly fulfilling orders. Regular communication with your suppliers is needed to handle any issues like backorders or supply chain delays proactively.

As a dropshipper, you should provide multiple channels for customer support, such as email, phone, and live chat. Quick and responsive customer service can significantly enhance customer satisfaction, especially in handling returns, exchanges, and addressing concerns.

Bottom Line

Now you know how to start a dropship medical supplies business. With dedication and a strategic marketing approach, you can establish a thriving medical supply dropshipping business on Shopify. Remember, compliance and customer trust are your cornerstones for long-term success.

FAQs