- At least until 2019 there were 6,400 branches of Similar Pharmacies in Mexico, Guatemala, Chile and Peru.
- It is a successful business model that generates annual revenues of 800 million dollars.
- The main attractions of this chain are low prices and immediate medical care.
The business of clinics attached to pharmacies has become one of the most successful in our country. It is only necessary to see the growing number of units throughout the country. While within this category Similar pharmacies has positioned itself as the undisputed leader.
It all started in 1997 at the initiative of the businessman and politician Victor Gonzalez Torres. Its objective was to offer medicines at low cost so that they were within the reach of the majority of the population. For the same reason, its slogan “same but cheaper” It has become its main attraction.
Low prices and immediate medical attention
But while the original idea was only limited to the sale of drugs, a short time later it increased. In this way, general medical offices emerged at low prices. This managed to attract an even larger number of patients.
While at the beginning the main attraction of this business was the price, in recent years patients also come because the attention is immediate. With this in mind, more and more beneficiaries of IMSS and ISSSTE prefer to go to Similar pharmacies so you don’t have to spend hours in the waiting room.
Now, to understand the success of this model, until 2019 there were 6,400 branches of this brand in Mexico. In addition, it has also expanded to other countries such as Guatemala, Chile and Peru. As a whole, it generates annual revenues of 800 million dollars.
While one of the features of Similar pharmacies is that it works with the franchise model and anyone can hire one. It is quite similar to what happens with food chains because the only thing that is needed is to cover the initial investment to open a space.
How much does it cost to buy a franchise of Similar Pharmacies?
Now comes the most interesting because the medium planet franchise disclosed the exact amount of money needed to participate in this business. The minimum figure is 500 thousand dollars (around 10 million pesos at the current exchange rate). Although in return you receive the following:
- Adaptations of the premises
- marquee ads
- medical furniture
- 2 air conditioners
- Desk
- shelves
- refrigerators
- electrical preparations
- Staff training
- Feasibility studies
- Socio-economic study
- Purchase of inventories
Based on the above, by participating you practically obtain a space ready for patient care and medicine sales. The entire procedure must be carried out before the Best Foundation which is in charge of authorizing the sale of branches.
Similarly, the premises must have a minimum area of 66 m2. The objective is that it can be adapted to have the following sections required by the Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Riskss (Cofepris).
- Counter Area
- Shelves Area
- general medical office
- Waiting room
- Toilets
But one of the aspects that can be sad for some is that at this time there are no branches available. At least during the remainder of 2022, it is not intended to offer this option because all the new pharmacies that are about to open are owned by the corporate.