Opening And Starting A Retail Or Community Pharmacy In Nigeria

Community Pharmacy Shop

Community pharmacies are drug stores managed and controlled by a pharmacist. They usually compliment the work of hospital pharmacy. They are mostly the first port of call for most patients.

They stock and sell all forms of legal drugs from prescription-only medicine (POM), over the counter (OTC) drugs to prescription-only medicine controlled drugs (POMCD).

Community pharmacy is found everywhere, especially in towns and cities. Most graduates of pharmacy always consider either working here for some time or even starting one right away. This is the reason why the thought of this article came up.

Not every person in Nigeria can own a community pharmacy. In addition, not every practising pharmacy can. The reason is that a pharmacy can only use one license for one career unless such one decides to change careers.

Read Also: How To Set Up A Patent Medicine (Chemist) Store In Nigeria

Non-pharmacist have device means of owning pharmacy shops. However, this is only possible with the aid of a pharmacist with a valid license. On the other hand, a pharmacist in other careers who wish to own a community pharmacy or new graduates must follow these processes to get one.

Owning A Community Pharmacy

All applicants must be up to date with the Mandatory Continuing Professional Development (M.C.P.D) programme. Every pharmacist must have a valid license before proceeding to the next step, which is registration as a pharmaceutical chemist.

Note that same as registration requirement for retail, distribution and importation outfit.

1. Pharmaceutical Chemist: This is achieved by visiting the nearest state-owned Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (P.C.N) office to get the form with a standard fee. The form, which is designated Form C, is filled and submitted with a passport size photograph.

2. Name Registration: After approval by PCN, the name of the pharmacist is registered with PCN. This also costs a standard fee that covers a year period.

3. Registration with CAC: After all these things, the business must be registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) by visiting any of their state branches. To do this, pick two business names you like, submit to CAC. Wait for approval, if not change the name. It happens most times when the name is taken or closely related to another. Finally, take the approved name to CAC. They will demand a copy of the license of the pharmacy shareholder to incorporate a pharmacy named company. CAC will give all new applicants form Co2 and Co7 if the limited liability company or business name of it is enterprise.

4. Premise Registration: Registration of the premises to be used is the next step. At this step, it is better to have a shop that is most likely to be approved. If it is disapproved, it can mean the loss of rent for a whole year.

To register the premise Form B is filled out just like Form J. Submission of Form J with a photocopy of annual license to practice and application for the retention of a name in the pharmaceutical register with a passport size photograph. This is given to the pharmacy inspector at their office. There is a prescribed inspection and registration fee that is to be paid as a bank draft. The bank draft is given to the applicant with account details already printed, which is to be submitted back to PCN.

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Forms to be given include job declaration, directors understanding form and ownership form.

Documents To Be Forwarded For Registration Of A New Premise

1. Application letter to register the premises on a letter headed paper of the company

2. Company's Certificate of Incorporation (Evidence of registration of business name is acceptable) 

3. Article and Memorandum of Association (certified true copy)

4. Form C. 07 showing names and particulars of Directors. Particulars of first directors (certified true copy)

5. Letter of resignation from previous employment (if applicable)

6. Letter of acceptance of resignation (if applicable)

7. Letter of appointment' (photocopy) as the Superintendent Pharmacist in the new 

premises; 

8. Acceptance letter (photocopy) for the appointment

9. Legal agreement between the superintendent pharmacist and employer (photocopy)

10. Current or last annual license (photocopy) of the superintendent pharmacist

11. Undertaking by the superintendent pharmacist to the effect that he or she has only one full time job

12. Letter of undertaking by the Managing Director of the Company to the effect that all pharmaceutical business shall be under the direct, personal control and management of the Superintendent Pharmacist.

13. Prescribed fees in Bank Draft payable to the Council

14. Annual license of the Pharmacist Director (photocopy). Photocopy of the annual license of the pharmacist Director is not submitted some times. Photocopy of the current or previous years' annual license of the pharmacist Director must be submitted. If not available, submit any one in your position and evidence of renewal for the current year.

15. Resignation and acceptance of resignation from the former employer of the superintendent Pharmacist or NYSC discharge certificate for newly qualified pharmacists. Some applicants that graduated many years back and have worked still submit an NYSC discharge certificate instead of resignation and acceptance of resignation from their former employer. Also pharmacists that have completed NYSC for over many years but claimed not to have never worked anywhere go ahead to submit a NYSC discharge certificate. An NYSC discharge certificate is not an alternative to resignation and acceptance of the same from your former employer. They should be submitted as applicable. NYSC discharge certificate is applicable to those that have just finished NYSC service, it should not be more than 1 year old at the time of application for registration of premises. However, for those that claim not to have worked for some reasons, they are allowed to, in addition to the NYSC certificate, make a letter to the  Registrar telling their story why they had never worked.

16. Pharmacist interstate movement form /letter(photocopy) for pharmacists moving from one state to the other. Any pharmacist moving from one state to another to seek registration in the new State of residence must submit an interstate movement letter/form in addition to resignation and acceptance of resignation letters from their former state of residence.

17. Evidence of payment of registration and inspection fee. Though it's rare, pharmacists sometimes fail to attach evidence of payment for inspection fees. You must attach the evidence of payment (duplicate of the PCN receipt for inspection) for your premises to be inspected. If you have lost the duplicate, attach a photocopy.

Note: Five letters of agreement between employer and employee to be submitted to the Association Of Community Pharmacy of Nigeria (A.C.P.N). This is the only way to get cleared. Submit originals and two (2) photocopies of the following documents:

1. Form J

2. Form B

3. All PCN bank tellers

4. ACPN receipts and endorsed clearance form

5. Oath certificate

6..NYSC discharge letter or exemption letter

7. Superintendent joint declaration form

8. Ownership form

9. Letter of employment

10. Letter of acceptance

11. Endorse contract agreement

12. All Corporate Affairs Commission (C.A.C) documents

At this stage, all is set but to get your location approved by PCN, the following must be adhered to:

Location: The location of the store must be some distance from other community pharmacy stores around. For retail stores, the minimum distance is 30.3 SQM while wholesale should be not less than 50 SQM.

Environment: Site the stored away from complicated surroundings like garbage dump sites, abattoirs, mechanic shops, markets, motor parks etc.

Equipment: The store must have these basic things like shelves, fire extinguisher, pharmacist office, poison box, air conditioner.

Structure: The size of the store must not be less than 30 SQM with ceiling height of at least 3.05 SQM. The building must be in concrete block or similar quality. Painting should be suitable for the business. The name of the superintendent pharmacy should be on display in a space clearly visible to visitors.

Read Also: Things To Expect When You Visit A Doctor For Medical Diagnosis

Tips To Be Successful In Community Pharmacy Practice

Good Location: A busy area will be more viable than a sparsely populated place.

Competitors: Siting close to an established name can spell doom except there is an advantage like rent if free. However, careful planning is needed here.

Capital: It is capital intensive so there should be a lot of cash at hand when starting off. However, care must be taken not to stock the wrong type of drugs. Essential medicines vary from location to location. A proper survey from a fellow pharmacist in the business and those indigenous to the place can be an eye opener. Better to stock small and note the most sought after drug.

Advertise: Keep advertising your store using words of mouth and paid adverts. One cheap way I always recommend is for every business owner to own a blog which is cheap to manage and yet sells the business in no time.

Employ Staff: Employ capable hands that can handle the store when you are not there. Such ones can come from pharmacy technicians or fellow pharmacists. The bottom line is considered your capital.

Dealers: Have good dealers where you can buy drugs from at affordable rates. Also, consider the quality of what they are selling.

Analyse the community: Age population, disease prevalence, competitors’ strength, and weakness with your own opportunity and threats.

Insurance: Please insure the business against unforeseen occurrences like fire, negligence etc.

Note: To be successful as a major drug supplier to patent stores in that environment, it is a requirement that you register in their organisation. If you fail to do that, they will restrict their members from patronising you. Ha-ha! That is how powerful they are.

In case you have any contribution and query, please feel free to use the comment box or contact me using the contact form.