In Sweden, medicine wholesale began in 1907, when Kronans Droghandel AB was established in the pharmacy Apoteket Kronan in Gothenburg. However, the story of Apoteket Kronan dates back centuries: it was established in 1650 with permission from King Karl X. After the pharmacy owner of Apoteket Strutsen had been enrolled to assist in the embalming of the famous King Karl XII in 1718, the pharmacy was allowed to change its name to Apoteket Kronan as a royal privilege.