We are opening our own pharmacy. Business at a pharmacy kiosk in a village Open a pharmacy without pharmaceuticals

The business of selling medicines is one of the highly profitable areas of business activity and provides due competition to the trade in alcoholic beverages and food products. Various medications are in high demand among all segments of the population. Poor ecology, low attention to one’s own health and other everyday factors contribute to an increase in demand for medical products. The cost of a pharmacy check can be several times higher than the average check at a regular retail outlet. In this article, we propose to consider the question of how to open a pharmacy from scratch without a pharmaceutical education.

The demand for medical drugs and related products is steadily growing, which makes the pharmacy business one of the most promising

Is the pharmacy business profitable?

Before talking about the profitability of this business, it is necessary to consider several subtleties and nuances. Points selling medicines are divided into three conventional categories:

Pharmacy;
kiosk selling medicines;
pharmacy.

Each of the above forms of pharmacy institutions has its own characteristics. Pharmacies and kiosks have a number of restrictions on their activities. Such retail outlets do not have the right to sell prescription drugs or narcotic substances. As practice shows, newcomers to this business should start by opening a pharmacy. Opening a large store can be expensive, but it is a necessary step. As practice shows, the rate of return on investment for kiosks and pharmacy points is significantly higher compared to a general store. However, such points are only structural divisions that are created after the main department.

The rate of return on investment for a business depends on several factors. First of all, you should take into account the location of the outlet and the level of competition in the selected area. In addition, you need to take into account the amount of payment for the rented premises and the purchase price of the drugs. According to experts, all investments in the pharmacy business pay off within ten months.

The profitability of this area is about ten percent. Despite such a small value of this indicator, experts recommend not to abandon this business. Is it profitable to open a pharmacy in Russia? This question can only be answered positively if the entrepreneur aims to create his own network.

The constant demand for medicines and the large flow of customers makes this business one of the most promising today.

Opening your own pharmacy: step-by-step instructions

This area of business activity has many pitfalls. According to the rules established by regulatory authorities, this business is available only to persons with medical education. This means that pharmacists, salespeople and managers must have a diploma from a medical university or secondary specialized educational institution. In order to obtain a license to distribute medicines, the head of the company must have certain experience in this field.

Based on all of the above, one can ask a completely logical question: how to open a pharmacy without a medical education? In this case, the entrepreneur will need to hire a specialist who meets the requirements of regulatory authorities as a manager. An appropriate agreement must be concluded with the manager, according to which he will undertake obligations to manage the pharmacy business.

To start a pharmacy business, you need to know how it is organized

Registration

Step-by-step instructions for opening a pharmacy begin with registering with the tax office. At this stage, it is very important to choose the right legal form for the future enterprise. If you want to create a small retail outlet, it is best to obtain the status of an individual entrepreneur. If you want to open a point that will become a platform for creating an entire pharmacy chain, it is better to choose the status of a legal entity.

Opening your own LLC allows an entrepreneur to enter into large transactions with various counterparties. During the registration procedure, it is very important to select the correct OKVED codes. Beginners in this area are recommended to choose those codes that allow them to engage in retail sales of medicines, medical products and cosmetic products.

Obtaining the necessary permits

In addition to registering with the tax office, the future owner of the pharmacy must obtain permits from the fire service, SES and Rospotrebnadzor. The list of required documentation includes: the company’s internal charter, health records and photocopies of employees’ diplomas confirming the required level of education. In addition to all of the above, a production control program should be developed.

Companies selling pharmaceutical products must have a special license. This permit is issued by the Ministry of Health. The cost of the state fee for obtaining a license is about six thousand rubles. It should be noted that there are private companies that provide assistance in obtaining all the necessary documents. The cost of such services can reach more than fifty thousand rubles.

In order to obtain a license, it is necessary to provide employees of the Ministry of Health with the following package of documents:

Permitting acts from the fire inspectorate and SES.
Registration certificate.
Property rental agreement and floor plan.
Documents for purchased equipment.
Employees' documents.
Specialist Certificate for Manager.

Preparing the premises (choosing a location)

The choice of location for the future point depends on the format of the business. For a full-fledged pharmacy store, you should choose places located near metro stations, educational institutions and busy roads. You should also think about the possibility of opening pharmacies in a residential area where there are no competitors. It is more profitable to open small kiosks near clinics, private medical centers and large retail outlets. As practice shows, visitors to small kiosks purchase the most popular drugs: remedies for headaches, coughs or runny noses.

Order of the Ministry of Health and Social Development of the Russian Federation dated July 27, 2010 No. 553n on the types of pharmaceutical organizations identified 3 types of them: pharmacy, pharmacy point and pharmacy kiosk

It is important to pay attention to the fact that regulatory authorities have established certain requirements for the area of a retail outlet. Today, the minimum area of a full-fledged store should be more than sixty square meters. To open a kiosk selling medicines, a room of fifteen square meters is enough. The cost of renting a premises with an area of sixty-five square meters is about thirty-five thousand per month. Carrying out repair work and preparing the premises for starting a business will cost an amount equal to one hundred and fifty thousand rubles.

Let's look at what is needed to open a pharmacy? According to established rules, rental property must be equipped with a wardrobe, shower room and toilet. In addition to the sales area, it is necessary to create several utility rooms where pharmacy workers will receive a new batch of goods and sort medications. In addition, it will be necessary to create an area for workers to have lunch and rest. The selected premises must be equipped with security and fire alarms, as well as all necessary utilities. According to the requirements of the SES, the floor of the sales area must be insulated and covered with ceramic tiles or linoleum. It should also be noted that the materials used to cover walls and ceilings should be selected taking into account constant cleaning using disinfectants.

Necessary equipment

To open a small retail outlet, you will need to purchase several pieces of closed glass display cases and racks for storing medicines. The cost of a counter and display cases from domestic manufacturers is about fifty thousand rubles. In addition, you will need five cabinets where medications will be stored. The average cost of one cabinet is about six thousand rubles.

Each group of pharmaceuticals has its own storage requirements. Narcotic and psychotropic drugs must be stored in a special refrigerated safe with a high resistance class. The cost of such a safe varies from one hundred to one hundred and fifty thousand, depending on the manufacturer. The same amount should be spent on purchasing a freezer and refrigerators with glass doors.

In addition to specialized furniture, you will also need to equip utility rooms. The price of one set of office furniture is about ten thousand rubles. To get started, you will need to purchase a good computer or laptop, cash register equipment, as well as a specialized program for electronic reporting. The total cost of purchasing equipment varies from one hundred fifty to two hundred thousand. Considering all of the above, we can conclude that equipping a small pharmacy store will cost half a million rubles.

To open a pharmacy, you must register a legal entity or individual entrepreneur

Personnel search

The staff size of a small pharmacy store should be at least four people. First of all, it is necessary to hire a manager who will also serve as a pharmacist. A pharmacist is an important “element” in the work of a point selling pharmaceuticals. This official is responsible for creating an assortment of goods and supervising the work of other employees.

In addition to the pharmacist, the staff of the pharmacy store should include two salespeople working in shifts. You will definitely need to hire a cleaner who will not only clean the floor, but also wash the walls with a disinfectant solution. If you want to save on this item, you can hire a separate person who will do the accounting. Transferring accounting red tape to outsourcing companies allows you to significantly save your initial budget. The size of the monthly salary fund should be about one hundred and fifty thousand rubles.

Selection of assortment

When considering the question of how to open your own pharmacy, you should pay special attention to the issue of forming an assortment. As practice shows, the assortment of a small pharmacy amounts to more than several thousand items.. Each drug must be purchased in the amount of fifty packs.

In addition to pharmaceuticals, it is recommended to purchase related products. Such products include baby diapers, medicated shampoos, cosmetic creams, dietary supplements, various herbal tinctures and wet wipes. The cost of creating an assortment varies from one hundred twenty to two hundred thousand rubles.

Projected profit taking into account costs (profitability)

Before implementing each commercial project, an entrepreneur should draw up a business plan. This document must contain information on the size of the starting investment, the payback period of the business, as well as the program for further development. The pharmacy business plan being developed must take into account the level of competition in the selected market segment and other analytical information.

So, where to start a pharmacy business. Creating a financial model of a future enterprise:

Calculation of business registration costs- about one hundred thousand rubles.
Calculation of costs for renting real estate and carrying out repair work- up to two hundred and fifty thousand.
Purchase of specialized equipment, office furniture, equipment and medicines themselves– from 1,500,000 rubles.

Medicines and preparations are special goods, the sale of which is carried out subject to the conditions specified by law.

Taking into account all the above costs, we can conclude that opening a small pharmacy will cost an amount equal to two million rubles. The average monthly expenses are about three hundred and fifty thousand. The monthly revenue varies from four hundred to six hundred thousand rubles. The amount of net income ranges from one hundred to two hundred and fifty thousand rubles monthly. The average rate of return on investment is about one year. Having recouped the initial investment, it is necessary to direct the financial flow to expand the business.

Experts recommend that aspiring entrepreneurs open a pharmacy and several small outlets at the same time. Despite the increase in costs, this step significantly speeds up the payback period for the business. Following these recommendations allows you to increase your monthly profit to sixty thousand rubles from each kiosk.

You need to understand that not every entrepreneur has such an impressive amount. If you do not have the required amount of funds, you should consider opening a pharmacy as a franchise. As practice shows, this step can significantly reduce the cost item, but entails a number of negative consequences, among which we should highlight the need to transfer part of the funds received to the franchise owners.

Advertising as the success of a pharmacy business

When considering the question of what it takes to open a pharmacy, you should pay special attention to business promotion. Current legislation establishes restrictions on advertising of pharmaceuticals and bioactive additives. According to current rules, pharmacy owners are prohibited from using various advertising methods to promote certain products.

To promote the retail outlet itself, you can use a colorful sign or special signs posted near the pharmacy. Immediately before the launch of the outlet, you can organize the distribution of sheets and an advertising campaign on social networks. At a certain stage of business development, you can create your own thematic group or contact the media. To increase your customer base, you can organize your own goods delivery service.

The head of a pharmacy, who is registered as a legal entity, must have a higher pharmaceutical education (pharmacist diploma)

Conclusions (+ video)

The pharmacy business is a unique area that is suitable for both men and women. This area of business has a lot of features. Medicines are one of the most popular product categories, along with alcoholic beverages and tobacco products. The organization of such an enterprise is accompanied by a lot of costs and various difficulties. But, despite this, many people successfully implement such projects, creating their own retail chains.

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Today, the pharmacy business is very popular and owes this to its profitability. Therefore, many citizens today want to open a pharmacy as an individual entrepreneur or LLC, because profits from the sale of medicines can be put on par with revenue from the sale of alcohol or tobacco products. The main factor in the development and high material benefits of the pharmacy business is, oddly enough, the simply colossal number of diseases of people who cannot do without any medications. The constant increase in the cost of drugs and their promotion only helps pharmacy businessmen increase their profits.

Let's consider how best to open a pharmacy - as an individual entrepreneur or LLC and what this procedure requires.

Which form of pharmacy business management is best to choose?

There are several forms of running a pharmacy business. You can choose the option of individual entrepreneurship or open a Limited Liability Company or Open Joint Stock Company. Of course, the form of business management affects many aspects of it. Take, for example, the fact that if you decide to implement your project by registering yourself as a private entrepreneur, the registration authorities will require additional documents about your education, that is, you will need a diploma of a pharmacist or pharmacist. Therefore, the answer to the question whether an individual entrepreneur can open a pharmacy will be positive, but only if there is the appropriate qualification, as stated by N 61-FZ of Russia “On the Circulation of Medicines”.

When registering an Open Joint Stock Company, a Closed Joint Stock Company or a Limited Liability Company, the main difference from an individual entrepreneur is that it is possible to start a pharmacy business without specialized education.

Due to such rather global discrepancies, already at the first stage of differences between forms of government, the question arises as to whether you have the time and funds to obtain a pharmaceutical education, or is it easier to choose registration in another aspect?

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Pharmacy business classification

When considering opening a pharmacy, you should pay attention to their type in accordance with the order of the Ministry of Health and Social Development of Russia “On approval of types of pharmacy organizations,” namely the following aspects:

industrial pharmacy (not only the availability of drugs for sale, but also the production of drugs);
industrial pharmacy as an enterprise that produces aseptic medicinal products, for which permission must be obtained;
a pharmacy store, which can be in the form of a pharmaceutical market or a store with an open display of goods;
Pharmacy;
pharmacy of finished dosage forms.

Each pharmacy must go through the registration process with the tax office, where it will receive a separate OKVED code, which is part of the “Manufacture of Medicines” group. There is legally a separate specialized standard by which a pharmacy can be defined as a general pharmacy, either as a point of sale or as a kiosk, in accordance with the functions of each type defined in the above-mentioned standard. It is considered correct to first open a pharmacy, and then kiosks or points, because such “facilities” as drug retail outlets do not make any sense if you want to expand your business in the future.

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What is required to open a pharmacy?

Let's start with the main thing - the room. The relevant law of the Russian Federation states that the area of a pharmacy must be at least 60 square meters. m. This area includes production premises (sales floor and warehouse) and utility rooms (accounting office, director’s office, wardrobe, toilet, etc.), premises in which all medicinal products will be stored, and they must be equipped with the necessary facilities to create a special climate, as well as a fire alarm and security system. The best place to open a pharmacy will be a room where there is a constant large crowd of people: a transport stop, a market and other public centers.

Let's move on to the staff. A mandatory and unconditional point is the presence of a pharmaceutical education. The person to be selected as a pharmacist (manager) of a pharmacy must have specialized certification, as well as at least 3 years of experience in the relevant field. The pharmacist is the most important member of your staff team, as he will be the one who will manage the pharmacy and set prices for medications. Your task is also to ensure that the team has a favorable working environment, which a system of incentive bonuses can create.

A pharmacy must have at least 2,500 items, which will cost a pretty penny if you open a business from scratch. The assortment should expand on an ongoing basis; it may also include additional items: baby food, personal care products, cosmetics, herbal teas, etc.

The lion's share of the invested capital will go to ensuring a good assortment and purchasing stock items. Registration and search for decent personnel will require considerable expenditure of the nervous system.

A pharmacy business, like any other business that starts from scratch, requires a lot of strength and patience. Knowledge of the registration procedure and the list of required documentation is of considerable importance.

That is, opening a pharmacy as an individual entrepreneur or LLC requires considerable financial and time costs.

Selling medicines with the right approach can become a very profitable business, which is why many beginning (and not only) businessmen are interested in questions about how to open a pharmacy. What documents will be needed for this? What is more profitable to open: a pharmacy, a pharmacy or a kiosk? What is the difference between these companies?

What is the difference between pharmacies and pharmacy points?

In modern cities you can often see pharmacies, kiosks, shopping centers, and even shops. What are the differences between them? If you are interested in how to open a pharmacy, you should immediately understand these subtleties.

Pharmacies sell almost all types of medicines. Moreover, some products are prepared here, in the pharmaceutical laboratory. Such enterprises also supply those medications that are issued exclusively with a doctor’s prescription. Pharmacies sell ready-made medications, both with and without prescriptions.

The only limitation in this case is narcotic, poisonous, psychotropic and potent drugs. But at the pharmacy kiosk they sell exclusively those medications that can be issued without a prescription from the treating specialist. It is immediately worth noting that the boundaries between such enterprises are often blurred.

How to open a pharmacy? Required package of documents

Of course, in order to open your own point of sale of medicines, you need the appropriate documents. First of all, you should register with the tax service. If you plan to open just one kiosk and cooperate exclusively with individuals, you can arrange an individual

entrepreneurship. But if in the future you plan to expand your business, cooperate with public and private institutions, a limited liability company or open joint stock company will be a more suitable option.

In addition, you will need an appropriate license to sell pharmaceuticals. If you are a certified pharmacist with more than three years of experience as a pharmacist, then you will not have any problems - you will receive the necessary permission within 45 days. But how to open a pharmacy without pharmaceutical education? This is also possible, you just need to provide evidence that your staff has professional employees with the necessary education and work experience.

Now it’s worth mentioning the OKVED codes. A pharmacy falls under clauses 52.3 (retail sale of medical and pharmaceutical goods), 52.31 (retail sale of pharmaceutical goods and manufacture of drugs), 52.32 (retail sale of medical and orthopedic goods), 52.33 (sale of perfumes and cosmetic products).

In addition, you will need permission from the sanitary and epidemiological station, a copy of the agreement with special organizations that ensure regular disinfection of premises, removal of medical waste, etc. By the way, copies of all documents must be kept in the pharmacy in case of an unscheduled inspection.

Pharmacy premises requirements

In fact, the requirements for the premises are not that great and depend on the type of activity.
If the pharmacy will be engaged exclusively in sales, then the minimum area should be about 12 m2. If the enterprise is engaged in the production of medicines, it will need a separate room for the laboratory and storage of raw materials, and this increases the minimum area to 22–30 m2.

Naturally, there must be an uninterrupted water and electricity supply, as well as a ventilation and air conditioning system. We need a small office for the manager, as well as a wardrobe room for employees.

By the way, if you are interested in the question of what it takes to open your own business and make it profitable, you should know that a favorable location is one of the main factors. Rent a room in busy and densely populated residential areas of the city.

It is advantageous to locate a pharmacy near a clinic, hospital, or hostel. Before opening, it is worth conducting research and determining what category of clients you will have to serve - it is unlikely that a person with a minimum salary will buy expensive, foreign funds unless there is a special need for it.

Design Features

If you are interested in how to open a pharmacy, think about the necessary equipment and furniture that are simply necessary. To begin with, you should purchase the necessary racks, shelves, counters and other furniture that is necessary to display and store medicines. By the way, it is best to arrange the drugs in a certain sequence (for example, analgesics, diuretics, antibiotics, etc.).

If you are going to open a large pharmacy with a huge assortment of goods, then you should think about putting several benches in the sales area where customers can wait in line, etc.

What equipment will you need?

First, you need to obtain and register a cash register. Some pharmacies use computers and special software that facilitates record keeping and bookkeeping.

Don't forget that some medications need to be stored at a certain temperature - you will probably need special refrigerators. If you are going to make medicines, then the amount of equipment and special utensils will increase significantly.

Deciding on the range of products

If you are thinking about how to open a pharmacy kiosk or point, then first of all you should take care of the range of products. Before opening, be sure to conduct monitoring to determine the products in greatest demand.

Some pharmacies work closely with hospitals to purchase the medications and instruments they need.

In addition, pharmacies (points or kiosks) sell other goods, in particular, cosmetic products (shampoos, creams, lotions based on medicinal herbs), baby products and accessories (milk formula, bottles, creams, powders), etc. You can sell simple orthopedic products, some medical devices (for example, tonometers, thermometers). Homeopathic medicines are also popular.

Advice and suggestions from an existing entrepreneur, owner of pharmacies from the Kostroma region, Vladimir Pushkov, which he kindly agreed to offer to all users of our online magazine “Russian Startup”. All the premises in which Vladimir's pharmacies are located are leased by him. This makes it more convenient and profitable for him. The network has a manager who is also a co-owner of the pharmacy business. Each pharmacy employs one pharmacist and two pharmacists. All pharmacies operate profitably, and Vladimir’s business is thriving even in our difficult times.

Every year the pharmacy business is gaining momentum. As practice shows, with the right approach, selling medicines can become quite a profitable business. Vladimir talks about what it takes to open a pharmacy.

How to open a pharmacy from scratch? Personal experience

Before getting into the pharmacy business, I only had the desire to open my own business, but no experience. I considered various options, but decided to focus on selling medicines. No matter what happens in the country, no matter what the income, people will never stop receiving treatment.

Another plus is that the shelf life of medical products is usually at least two years, and the average pharmacy bill is not so small.

Even at the planning stage, it is necessary to find a room - exactly where the pharmacy will be located, the area and layout of the room largely determines what will come out of it in the end.

So, for sales in the city center, in shopping malls and other crowded places, you will need one assortment and appropriate personnel, and for a pharmacy in a residential area - a slightly different one.

If you are planning to open a pharmacy in a village, the approach to organizing its work will be completely different.

You need to choose a direction of activity from several types:

classic regular pharmacy;
pharmacy store;
Pharmacy;
pharmacy kiosk.

The differences between them are determined by the current regulatory documents and lie in the number of services provided and medications permitted for sale.

Thus, only a classic pharmacy or pharmacy can dispense prescription drugs. In kiosks or stores, only over-the-counter products are allowed to be sold.

Therefore, you should decide in advance what services you are going to provide. It should also be taken into account that it is impossible to open a pharmacy without a pharmacy that has already started its activities. Therefore, it is better to immediately collect documents for opening a pharmacy, and in the future develop smaller forms of business.

When opening a pharmacy, a business plan will help solve the issue of initial capital

Like every beginning entrepreneur, I was worried about finding money. I had some savings, but they were not enough. I applied to the bank for a loan to develop a small business - they asked me to provide a business plan.

To be honest, I had no idea how to draw up such documents. When I tried to translate my thoughts into numbers on paper, it turned out something incomprehensible. As a result, I turned to a company specializing in such services and received a fully prepared business plan.

As a result, I received a loan from a bank under a government guarantee from the Small Business Development Center. Firstly, the bank lent money for a small process, and secondly, there were no difficulties in concluding an agreement.

What needs to be done to open a pharmacy without a pharmaceutical education?

The only thing that worried me was the lack of a medical school diploma. Having become interested in how to open a pharmacy without a pharmaceutical education, I found out that this is not related to direct work, but to the form of ownership.

A pharmacist or pharmacist diploma is required when you register as an individual entrepreneur. This is discussed in the law regulating the circulation of medicines.

If you choose any other type of property, the question of whether it is possible to open a pharmacy without a pharmaceutical education will not confront you.

But what is needed to open a pharmacy, in addition to the usual worries associated with financial investments, renting premises or recruiting staff, is knowledge of the laws and regulations related to this area. And this is one of the most important issues among what is needed to open a pharmacy in Russia.

Pharmacy activities are regulated by the following regulations: documents:

Federal Law “On the Circulation of Medicines” No. 61-FZ of April 12, 2010.
Federal Law (as amended on October 4, 2010) “On licensing of certain types of activities” No. 128-FZ dated August 8, 2001;
Regulations on licensing of pharmaceutical activities No. 416 of July 6, 2006;
Resolution “On approval of rules for the destruction of substandard medicines, counterfeit medicines and counterfeit medicines” No. 674 of September 3, 2010;
Resolution “On approval of the regulations on licensing the production of medicines” No. 684 of September 3, 2010.

Obtaining a license can be quite time consuming. In addition, you will need to purchase equipment: refrigerators for storing medicines, air conditioners, safes for medicines containing narcotic substances, commercial equipment.

When renovating, pay attention to the fact that the finishing materials can be wet cleaned with disinfectants. Ramps for shoppers with disabilities and handrails for seniors are required.

The real story of creating an inexpensive business plan can be found in this interesting article:

A large number of cases of creating highly profitable businesses from existing entrepreneurs can be read

You can select, download or buy a working business plan for any business in this catalog:

It is also important what material will be used to finish the floor and outdoor space near your pharmacy. Remember that a significant portion of buyers will be elderly people with health problems.

If they feel uncomfortable entering (especially in winter when it's slippery), then you will lose most of your customers.

The issue of personnel selection also has its own nuances. In addition to the fact that there must be a pharmacist and a pharmacist on staff, even ordinary sellers must understand the product and, if necessary, be able to recommend one or another medicine.

This is especially true for pharmacies located in residential areas - this way you can develop a base of regular customers who come only to you.

If you, like me at the beginning, are not very well versed in what product to buy, you cannot do without the services of a good pharmacist. Medicines can be purchased directly from manufacturers or from pharmacy warehouses that sell goods at wholesale prices.

Don't be afraid to start a business in unfinished areas.

At first, the flow of buyers will be small, but later competitors will be less likely to appear nearby.

As a result, you will have a large market at your disposal.

In general, it seems to me that in order to answer the question “I want to open a pharmacy, where to start,” it will take a lot of time.

But you understand this with experience, and without practice, as you know, it does not appear.

For example, advertising for individual pharmacies does not give any return; investing money in promotion only makes sense if you are working with a chain of establishments. But promotions, discounts and benefits, even very small ones, can attract many people.

Therefore, think about this issue in advance, prepare discount savings cards, arrange discounts on weekends or in the morning - all this will bring quite a significant income.

How much money do you need to open a pharmacy?

It all depends on what type of pharmacy you will open. So, in order to open a pharmacy under a franchise, you will need one amount, depending on the conditions offered by the franchisee.

This is very convenient, you get an almost ready-made business with a well-promoted name, a developed work scheme and ready-made suppliers. In addition, network players are interested in attracting new outlets. But it will cost more, and the profits will have to be shared.

Thus, a pharmacy franchise for the “36.6” chain will cost only a thousand dollars, but in addition to selecting premises, paying rent and finding personnel, you are expected to invest 50-100 thousand dollars. The picture is approximately the same in other well-known networks.

It is quite difficult to give an exact answer on how much it costs to open a pharmacy without knowing the specific circumstances. If we talk about approximate initial figures, then they can amount to 40-45 thousand dollars in Moscow. In the provinces, it is quite possible to limit yourself to the amount of 25 thousand.

Table No. 1. Potential to expand the market of pharmacies and pharmacy chains in Russia

Is it profitable to open a pharmacy?

It all depends on how many buyers you can attract. The approximate payback period for such an enterprise is about a year. But it’s better to immediately aim to open a pharmacy chain over time.

This will reduce the cost of purchasing medicines and, accordingly, increase the profit from each operating point.

From my own experience, I can say that a pharmacy as a business can become not just a profitable business, but also one that remains stable under any external circumstances.

Table No. 2. Growth of drug market participants in Russia

The wider the range offered, the higher the profit;
At the initial stage, medications can be purchased together with some other pharmacies - each of you will benefit from the cost of medications, since discounts for large wholesale buyers can be very significant;
Do not limit the range only to medical drugs: teas, mineral water, dietary supplements from certified manufacturers, skin or hair care products - all this will increase your sales volume and your profit;
You can open a specialized establishment and offer goods to a narrow group of buyers: expensive medicines, medications for diabetics, homeopathic medicines, etc.

collapse

This business never stops growing. There will always be a demand for medicines, like food, and many entrepreneurs are interested in opening a pharmacy. The sale of medicines is a profitable business; the turnover in this business amounts to billions of dollars. There is an opinion that it is not possible to create this business without special education. It's a delusion. How to open a pharmacy without pharmaceutical education? It's worth looking into this.

Anyone who has the desire and means can open a pharmacy. There are several types of such activities:

ordinary institution;
pharmacy store;
relevant item;
kiosk.

There are significant differences between them; a classic pharmacy or point dispenses prescription drugs. Kiosks and shops sell only medicines without prescriptions. Decide on the services you want to provide.

First steps in starting a business

The initial capital may not be enough to create a pharmacy business; contact the bank for a loan. To develop a small business, draw up a business plan, otherwise the loan will not be issued.

For a beginner, drawing up such a plan can incapacitate him for a long time. There are special companies that will do the work for you for a certain amount.

Is pharmaceutical education necessary?

The form of ownership plays a major role in opening a pharmacy without appropriate education. If you register as an individual entrepreneur with the goal of opening an establishment, a pharmacist or pharmacist diploma is required. Any other type of activity does not prohibit opening a pharmacy without special education.

The case provides for a certain license for the sale of medicines.

Competitive environment

Competition in this business is high. New pharmacy kiosks, shops and points are opening on every corner. Before you start a new business, test the waters. What competitors sell, what they don’t have, and so on.

Give preference to a format that compares favorably with competing companies. Create your own unique offer that can interest consumers.

Choosing a room

Decide on the location of the institution. The premises for the pharmacy should be located at some distance from competitors. Preferably near a clinic or shopping center. The comfort in the room will be appreciated not only by employees, but also by visitors. There are requirements for premises rented for a pharmacy. The minimum retail area is at least 12 square meters.

It is better if the establishment is on the first floor.
Walls and floors should be made of materials that can be easily disinfected and washed frequently.
For security purposes, you can install bars on the windows.

The premises do not meet the requirements and need urgent repairs.

Employees should not have their rights infringed upon; they should be allocated a rest room, a dressing room, and the manager should have a separate office.

The premises must have a stable water supply, sewerage, ventilation, and air conditioning. Install comfortable benches where visitors can wait their turn. Make sure that it is easy for people with disabilities to come to your establishment.

Equipment

The cost of equipment takes up the lion's share of capital. No pharmacy can do without glass shelves for displaying medicines and storage cabinets. Take care of the convenience of your employees by purchasing tables, chairs, computers and office supplies.

A metal safe is required; poisonous and narcotic substances are stored in it. Kiosks do not need a safe; they do not have the appropriate license to sell such substances. A pharmacy cannot do without a cash register.

To open a pharmacy kiosk, purchase or order: a cash register display, a refrigerated cabinet with the appropriate temperature. In addition to everything listed above, the item provides a prescription counter, work tables, and cabinets for staff.

Staff

The profitability of an enterprise depends on its personnel. Employees must have the skills and relevant knowledge. A pharmacist must have a specialized secondary education; a worker without a higher specialized education is not a pharmacist. Regardless of their position, employees must be responsible in fulfilling their duties, showing communication skills and, if necessary, patience.

Even if the owner does not have a pharmaceutical education, the staff must have one. Cashiers should offer similar drugs if what the customer asks for is not in stock. Pharmacy employees work in gowns, caps, and, if necessary, with a protective gauze bandage on their face. You cannot leave the premises wearing protective clothing. Each pharmacy employee must have a medical record.

Documentation

To open this business with or without a pharmaceutical education, you will have to draw up a list of important documents. You should start your journey through various authorities with the tax office. When renting premises, you need to conclude an agreement, which should be approved by the medical association, and then by the department of the state property fund. Without permission from the SES, a business will not go far.

A license for the retail sale of medical drugs is required; it can be obtained from the safety control department. When concluding a contract for a pharmacy, the document is drawn up with a medical institution.

The advantage of the case is the long shelf life of drugs.

Government agencies and medical institutions are strict about pharmacies. The legislative system is on guard and punishes low-quality goods and dishonest service.

Advertising

Availability of logo and corporate identity.
Regularly updated website.
Special offers and promotions.
Participation in charitable organizations.

Approximate costs

How profitable is it to open a pharmacy in terms of savings? So, rough calculations for opening such a popular business.

The purchase of furniture and other equipment will cost 120–150 thousand rubles.
Repair 50–60 thousand rubles.
An illuminated sign costs 10–12 thousand rubles, but this is not the limit.
Permitting documents 30–40 thousand rubles.
Installation of security and fire alarms 30–40 thousand rubles. At first you will have to spend about 240–300 thousand.

A financial contribution will have to be made every month. This means:

Rent is about 15 thousand rubles.
Payment to employees is 50–60 thousand rubles.
Advertising will cost 5 thousand rubles.

A well-chosen location can serve 100 people per day. In six months, monthly income will be 350–400 thousand rubles. A 30–40% profitability will allow you to recoup all costs within a year.

Selection of assortment

Conduct research, find out what medications consumers need. Cooperation with hospitals will help answer many questions. You don’t have to limit yourself to medicines; you can sell cosmetics, baby food, diagnostic devices and much more.

Additional income can be obtained from the sale of thermometers, tonometers and orthopedic products. Drug suppliers prefer to work with pharmacy chain owners. You can try to come to an agreement or team up with the owners of other establishments and make purchases all together. The range should be expanded regularly.

In pharmacies, goods must be arranged in a special order; study the rules for arranging medications on display cases and shelves.

Track sold medications and order new ones if necessary. Potential buyers will easily switch to your competitors if they don’t get what they came for.

Knowledgeable people who have long delved into all the intricacies of running a pharmacy business share their experience.

It is not necessary to buy furniture and fittings; it can be made to order.
The buyer's attention will not be distracted if the display cases are placed along the walls.
Choose durable product racks.
The main secret to increasing turnover is the location of expensive drugs. They are usually placed at buyer eye level.
There is a seasonal factor in opening a pharmacy. In summer there is a relative calm, the peak falls between October and April. The organization of such a profitable business should be carried out in the summer, so that the opening of the pharmacy falls in the fall.

This type of business activity as a pharmacy will always be popular, because people need medicines even more than groceries. Statistics show that the right organization helps to attract profits after just six months.

According to experts, competition in this business will become fiercer in a few years. If possible, open a pharmacy in the region, not in a big city. A ready-made, established business can always be sold at a favorable price, so develop, create new enterprises and do not stop there.

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