Apollo Pharmacy to add 250 outlets every year

Firm clocks Rs 1,150 cr turnover in FY13, sees consistent demand from metros, other cities

Apollo Pharmacy, a part of Chennai-based healthcare major Apollo Hospitals, has said it would add 250 outlets every year.
    
"We would able to grow 250 outlets every year. We have grown between 30 to 35 per cent every year," Apollo Pharmacy Vice President Atul Ahuja said.
    
The company had a turnover of Rs 1,150 crore in the last financial year. It is witnessing a consistent demand from the metros and other cities.
    

On the issue of home delivery of medicines, as recently demanded by some other pharmacy chains, he said it was feasible but for that law of the land has to be changed.

    
"Yes it is feasible, but the law of the land says that the dispensing of the medicines has to be done by the qualified pharmacists. That has to be changed," he said on the sidelines of 11th edition of Franchise India 2013, a franchise, retail and brand licensing show in the city, earlier this week.
    
The pharmacy chain currently employs around 10,000 people, he said.
    
He further said dispensing has become a critical aspect in the pharmacy retail chain business, which include transportation, warehousing in proper cold environment and distribution, which are managed at the back end.

    
"This entire work of supply chain management right from procuring to warehousing and sale at outlets is done by experienced pharmacist," he added.
    
He further informed that all Apollo Pharmacy stores are company owned.