Some of the courses covered by this degree consist of Pharmaceutics, Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmacognosy, and Pharmacy Practice. During courses, students will learn about the fundamentals of pharmaceutical sciences. They will gain knowledge from related fields, such as Medicine, Chemistry, Biology, and even Ethics. Pharmacy is the art of preparing medicinal drugs, or a place where such drugs are sold. An example of a pharmacy is a drugstore. A place where prescription drugs are dispensed, a dispensary.
How To To Open A Profitable Community Pharmacy – So many young pharmacists usually ask this question;
- Is owning a pharmacy outlet profitable?
- How is easy can it be?
- and what are the requirements to open a pharmacy?.
- Also, it is frequently asked if a non-pharmacist can own a pharmacy outlet?
All these and so many other questions about community pharmacy business are addressed in this post.
Is owning a pharmacy profitable?
The answer is yes. The pharmacy profession is a fast-growing one in innovation with regards to health supplements, new drugs, and medical devices. About a large proportion of the world’s population may depend on one of these products to enhance their health status.
Also, the drug is one of the basic needs of a man just as food. Meaning, people can spend all their life saving to stay healthy or to have a good quality of life. Hence, they cannot literally cope without patronizing the community pharmacy except for rural areas where there are other forms of alternative medicines.
Therefore, owning a community pharmacy outlet is a way to serve the purpose of provision of these drugs, drug advice, and medical devices to the general public and making cash from it.
Is it easy to open a Pharmacy?
If I tell you it is easy, then know that I am deceiving you. But, it is not always as difficult as people always present it – I think passing through pharmacy school is even more difficult. In any case, it is important to bear in mind that it is neither a Ponzi scheme nor a lotto where you can get rich overnight. It requires patience and hard work to nurture the business.
Notwithstanding, owning a community pharmacy business is not left for only Pharmacists. The requirements to open a pharmacy are similar both for Pharmacists and non-pharmacists. The difference lies with how the pharmacy is run. In other words, a non-pharmacist can only own a pharmacy under the supervision and management of a licensed pharmacist.
Having that in mind, I will give you a brief rundown on the requirements to open a profitable pharmacy outlet. In any case, though my emphasis will be from my own country – Nigeria. But, I believe they all have a similar framework, all you need is to find out what works in your own country.
Requirements to open a community pharmacy
As mentioned above, the community pharmacy setup may vary in different countries. But, they have similar steps. Below are the steps;
- Business name registration
- Getting a suitable location
- Registration with a Pharmacy regulatory body
- Furnishing the pharmacy
- Publicity and advertisement
How to register a Business name
The first step to owning any business at all is to have the business registered. There are so many advantages of registering a business which includes having a legal identity and also an authority in your field.
In Nigeria, the body that oversees the registration of businesses is the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
The CAC has a platform where you can do a name search and make sure no other business has the name you intend to use. Then, you can go ahead and incorporate your business with the body.
Note: The PCN code of ethics is against choosing names that bring about claims of superiority of other pharmacists. Names such as “prescription specialist” or “Top chemist”
Requirements for CAC registration
The following documents are a prerequisite if you want to register a business with the CAC body.
- 2 recent passport photographs
- Your personal documents such as name, address, etc.
- 2 business names (one to serve as an alternative)
- A business partner ( You can use your wife or kids)
- Other details where applicable
Steps to register your pharmacy under CAC
Step 1: Business name search;
A fee of #500 is paid to the body to check the availability of your business name. You are allowed to submit two different names of your choice.
Once the CAC finds your name to be available in their database, You can either proceed with the registration immediately or be given a grace period to reserve your chosen name for as long as 6 months.
Step 2: filling and submission of statutory forms
The form CAC1.1 is provided and is to be filled by the potential owner of the business. You are to supply information such as; Download CAC 1.1 form here
- Approved name of the business
- General-purpose of the business
- Name, Address and other information of the proprietors
- Signature of the proprietor
- A current pharmacy license
- 2 passport photographs of the applicants
These items are to be submitted after paying the prescribed fee from the CAC. Finally, the evidence of payment is submitted with a stamp duty certificate.
Registration with a Pharmacy Regulatory Authority
The practice and conduct of all pharmacy premises are supervised by a Pharmacy Regulatory body.
In Nigeria, below are the requirements to register a community pharmacy with the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN).
- Certificate of incorporation from the CAC
- Current Annual Pharmacy license to practice
- Prescribed fee in bank draft payable to the council
- Memorandum and article of association
- NYSC discharge certificate if a new pharmacist
- A legal agreement between the superintendent pharmacist and his employer
- Undertaking letter from the superintendent pharmacist to having one full-time job
- A resignation letter from the superintendent pharmacist if he had a previous job
- Letter of undertaking from the managing director of the establishment that all pharmaceutical activities shall be directly under the personal control and management of the superintendent pharmacist.
Getting a suitable location
This is the most important part of the requirements to open a profitable pharmacy business.
However, when choosing a location, 2 things have to be at the back of your mind.
- A good location that will suit your business
- The location that meets the requirements of the PCN body.
The location that suits your business
Pharmacy as any other business will require growth, especially in the regular customer aspect. Here, are what to consider when looking for a suitable pharmacy location.
1. Traffic to your shop
You should consider the number of residential houses, offices, or schools around your pharmacy. Also, try to understand their financial capabilities and different drug needs. For example, the residential home will patronize you more on pediatrics drugs, geriatrics, etc.
This will help you to know the right drug to stock in your pharmacy.
2. Business Opportunities and Threats
A pharmacy that is located near a hospital or a medical laboratory outlet tends to do well.
Also, try to avoid a congested place and unnecessary competition with other pharmacy outlets.
3. Visibility and accessibility
A good location is one that is easily seen or located. And, a location where one can comfortably walk in.
In addition, make sure your pharmacy is located where there is a parking space.
A location that meets your PRA requirements
Different Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (PRA) in different countries have their own requirements for a standard location.
In Nigeria, the regulatory body is the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN). Their requirements for a good location for a community pharmacy includes;
- The location has to be at least 200 meters apart from another Pharmacy outlet.
- The inside has to measure at least 30 square meters and at least a height of 3.05 meters from the ceiling.
- The location must not be in a place where there are no heavy commercial activities such as a marketplace or a motor park.
Pharmacy furnishing
Furnishing a pharmacy outlet is somehow different from other businesses. This is because there are basic requirements every Pharmacy outlet must have before the Board Authority can approve it as a pharmacy.
Therefore, they are not optional but a must-have. So, when trying to get a community pharmacy running. Make sure the list of items below is properly budgeted for. They include;
A well fixed and attractive shelves;
This piece of furniture should depend on your capital. But, do not budget for it because to an extent it contributes to the psychological idea of quality your potential customers will see.
In other words, poor furniture will make your pharmacy look substandard and it will also affect the glory of your drugs.
Office for the pharmacist
In every community pharmacy, there has to be a room set aside for consultation and patient counseling. On the door is placed ” Pharmacist on duty”. This consultation room has to be set aside in a quiet place where there is not much noise or distraction. It is also important to make sure it protects the patient’s privacy and confidence.
It is a must-have for every outlet before it can be approved.
A store
Have a store separate from your dispensing room. This is where excess drugs are kept in good storage conditions. It is a requirement that the store is equipped with a good storage condition that can retain the activity of the drugs over a long period of time. In tropical countries where there is heat, the Air conditioner is a necessity in maintaining the ideal temperature of the storeroom.
Also, a space in the store has to be designed for keeping drugs that have expired or drugs to be returned due to disruption in the integrity of the packaging.
Poison box
The poison box in a pharmacy is designed to house the controlled drugs or drugs likely to be abused such as Bromazepam and codeine.
In this regard, it is only a superintendent pharmacist that is required to dispense drug products from the poison box. It is his/ her duty to confirm the validity of the prescription before dispensing.
The patient is meant to sign the poison before receiving the drugs.
A refrigerator
Some of the drugs in the pharmacy can deteriorate with heat ( thermolabile products). Such drugs as vaccines, insulin, suppositories, etc. need to be stored in the fridge at all times.
Therefore, a Working refrigerator is compulsory in all pharmacy outlets.
Convenient room
This is to serve both the staff as well as your customers. Therefore, locate it in a place that will be easily accessible to both parties without interrupting the normal activity of the premise.
Waiting room
Patients are to wait for their prescriptions to be filled. Hence, try and make your waiting room as comfortable as possible.
Install good waiting seats, television sets, and playing toys for pediatric patients.
The waiting room should have access to the pharmacist’s office, the counter, the inlet, and the outlet doors.
Technological devices
Unlike the above-mentioned equipment that is compulsory for all community outlets, these devices are optional and depend on the pocket of the pharmacy owner.
However, technology is very important in a pharmacy such as computers and software that can monitor inventory, improve good dispensing practices and manage procurement.
Other equipment may include surveillance cameras, bright and beautiful bulbs, special security doors, etc.
Publicity and advertisement
This step is a very crucial and delicate one. It involves complex activities that will go beyond basic professional knowledge.
At this stage, you may require to learn from other business owners, seek a piece of professional advice and try to Learn out of the experience.
There are many ways to advertise or publicize your business which includes;
- The offline marketing strategy
- Online or digital marketing means
Offline includes; well-packaged rendering of services, giving out souvenirs with the pharmacy tag, discount policies, etc. As earlier said is a skill that you will need to learn on your own to improve your business.
In Conclusion
Finally, do not invest all your capital trying to advertise your business. Its a business and it requires time to grow. Just ensure that each customer that leaves your shop will have a reason to come back. Wait and see how profitable owning a pharmacy can be.
Note; These requirements to open a pharmacy might vary in different countries. It is important you check the pharmacy law and authority guiding the practice of pharmacy in your country.
However, if there is anything you think we are missing. Don’t hesitate to inform us by dropping your advice in the comment section.
Either way, let me know by leaving a comment below!
Read More: You can find more here https://www.poptalkz.com/.
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