Rajasthan to become the second state after Maharashtra which provide a boost in the pharmaceutical industry. A robust retail plan having a unique model of advance pharma has been accepted by All India Organization of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD). Now local chemist will offer free blood pressure and sugar tests. Chemist shop will also call the customers to remind their prescription refill or doctor’s appointment.
According to AIOCD president JS Shinde, the Centre has already opened gates for foreign direct investment (FDI) and therefore many big houses have already entered into retail pharma trade in Metro cities. International players are also looking to target the pharma trade in India which is estimated over Rs 50,000 crore.
“This will affect the current trade and is a threat to the existing retailers and wholesalers in India. Considering this danger, AIOCD decided to launch the project of its own members by converting traditional pharmacy store into organized retail chain. It is important for the smaller domestic players to improve their standards so that they can compete with them,” he said.
About the project implementation in Rajasthan, R B Puri, president RCA said, “In the first phase, we estimate to set up seven to eight model shops at each divisional headquarters by April next year. Later on, new franchisees will be added. We will provide technical and training assistance on nominal charges initially but the volunteers need to manage their outlets later on. Patients, especially uneducated and rural ones, are likely to benefit since they will get proper advice on medication, importance of timely health check ups at these model outlets.”
Patient counseling and health management services
AIOCD has initiated the first pilot project in Maharashtra. It has arranged professional training programs to existing retailers and patient counseling courses (PCC) in upgrading their knowledge and skill. Every affiliated pharmacist is getting trained for minimum 16 days on technical and behavioral subjects to stand out for fair and best practices. These courses are conducted with guidance and cooperation of learned faculty members which includes eminent doctors, professors, industrialists and management personnel. Keeping in mind that the vital part of any business is the end user i.e., customer satisfaction, AIOCD is changing the mindset of its members to give all sorts of additional services which today’s customer expect. The shoppe plan would guide on how to give economical and quality service to patients or customers. Customers can expect high service level, maintenance of their medical history, free home delivery to geriatric patients, free health counseling, free initial diabetic tests, blood pressure monitoring tests, customer loyalty programs, prescription refill reminder services, and patient counseling.
Advance Pharma Shops will offer
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