Entering a pharmaceutical niche and opening a pharmacy seems like a daunting task to many. Licenses and the difficulties associated with this are intimidating. Opening costs will average $ 45,000. A good place, competent staff, acceptable conditions for distributors - in six months you will recoup the costs and make a profit.
What to look for:
• Model selection. There are two issues to be resolved: the format of the business model and the form of trade, i.e. a discounter or premium pharmacy and a closed or open form of trade. The cost of a discounter is lower and a closed form of trade is cheaper. If the buyers themselves will take the goods from your pharmacy, then get ready that the trade equipment will have to be changed frequently. And the area required for the open form of trade is large.
• Assortment and availability. The constant availability of the most popular drugs is a prerequisite for a successful business. It’s okay if the supermarket doesn’t have one of the types of cheese, but if the pharmacy doesn’t have aspirin, it’s annoying for many. A small pharmacy kiosk requires strict inventory control.
• Location. A pharmacy close to home is the choice of most consumers. Pharmacy traffic is very important. The most promising place is considered to be a shopping center.
• Rent. It is better not to buy out the premises, but to rent it. The contract is concluded for at least five years, and the price of the meter is fixed. This will protect against its increase.
• License. A lot of approvals need to go through, and patience is also required. It is imperative to comply with the storage standards for drugs and sanitary standards in the pharmacy. All procedures will take an average of a month.
• Work of a pharmacy. To open a pharmacy, it is important to take into account the seasonality. The active sales season starts in the fall, in October, and ends in April. Therefore, organize the organization in the summer so that the pharmacy will already be open by the end. Advertising and positioning of a new pharmacy is very important. To do this, use banners, promotions, cards, etc. Surely the construction of the assortment will come from several suppliers. A wide assortment is the key to the success of a small pharmacy. The cadres are people with special higher education. Without them, you will not be given a license.
• Exit the sphere. Getting out of business is pretty easy, and that's the plus point. Business has not gone, you can return up to 60% of the invested funds.
If everything goes according to plan, in two years you will be able to evaluate your performance and think about building a network.
