business plan of a pharmacy

Pharmacy Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Pharmacy Business Plan

You’ve come to the right place to create your pharmacy business plan.

We have helped over 10,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans and many have used them to start or grow their pharmacies.

Pharmacy Business Plan Example

Below is a sample pharmacy business plan and template to help you create each section of your pharmacy business plan.

Executive Summary

Business overview.

Healthy1 Pharmacy is a new independent retail pharmacy located in Charleston, South Carolina. The company is founded by Stephen Harris, a licensed pharmacist who has spent more than fifteen years working in the pharmacy industry. Stephen is confident that his strong communication skills combined with his keen attention to detail when preparing prescriptions will help him quickly grow a loyal customer base for his new pharmacy. Stephen has recruited a team of highly qualified professionals to help manage the day-to-day complexities of running a retail pharmacy including marketing, sales, customer service, financial reporting, and operations management.

Healthy1 Pharmacy will provide all of the products and services that are available at large retail chains, only with a better price and a small-town atmosphere. At Healthy1, sales associates and pharmacy technicians will get to know each customer by name and be able to offer a more personalized service not typically offered at larger pharmacies. Healthy1 Pharmacy will be a one-stop shop for any customer in need of a prescription, flu shot, OTC medication, and more.

Product Offering

The following are the services that Healthy1 Pharmacy will provide:

• Over-the-counter (OTC) medications
• Prescription medications
• Immunizations
• Travel medications
• Point-of-Care (POC) Tests
• Compounding

Customer Focus

Healthy1 Pharmacy will target all individuals in Charleston. The pharmacy will target multiple age groups from pediatric to geriatric. Healthy1 will also target patients needing prescriptions filled on a regular basis. No matter the customer, Healthy1 Pharmacy will deliver the best communication, service, and prices.

Management Team

Healthy1 Pharmacy will be owned and operated by Stephen Harris. He has recruited Emily Jackson, an experienced retail pharmacy manager to be his Store Manager and help to supervise the staff and run the day-to-day retail operations.

Stephen Harris is a licensed pharmacist with a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree and more than fifteen years of experience working in the pharmacy industry. Stephen has been recognized by his former employer as a top performing pharmacist for five years in a row.

Emily Jackson has been a store manager at a local retail pharmacy for over a decade and has garnered a positive reputation for her exceptional organizational skills and leadership. Emily has worked in the pharmacy industry for so long, she understands all aspects required in running a successful retail pharmacy.

Success Factors

Healthy1 Pharmacy will be able to achieve success by offering the following competitive advantages:

• Friendly, knowledgeable, and highly qualified team of sales associates and pharmacy technicians who will assist customers, answer questions, and provide a personalized approach not found in larger pharmacies.
• Comprehensive array of products and services that includes everything you would expect from a large pharmacy, only with attentive customer service and lower prices.
• Healthy1 Pharmacy offers the best pricing in Charleston. The pharmacy’s pricing structure is the most cost effective compared to the competition.

Financial Highlights

Healthy1 Pharmacy is seeking $400,000 in debt financing to launch its new pharmacy. The funding will be dedicated towards securing the retail space and purchasing equipment, inventory, and supplies. Funding will also be dedicated towards three months of overhead costs to include payroll of the staff, rent, and marketing costs. The breakout of the funding is below:

• Pharmacy and retail space build-out: $100,000
• Equipment, supplies, inventory, and materials: $100,000
• Three months of overhead expenses (payroll, rent, utilities): $160,000
• Marketing costs: $25,000
• Working capital: $15,000

The following graph below outlines the pro forma financial projections for Healthy1 Pharmacy.

Company Overview

Who is healthy1 pharmacy.

Healthy1 Pharmacy is a newly established independent retail pharmacy located in Charleston, South Carolina. Healthy1 Pharmacy will provide all of the products and services that are available at large retail chains, only with lower prices and a small-town atmosphere. At Healthy1, sales associates and pharmacy technicians will get to know each customer by name and be able to offer a more personalized service not typically offered at larger pharmacies. Healthy1 Pharmacy will be a one-stop shop for any customer in need of a prescription, flu shot, OTC medication, and more. Healthy1 Pharmacy will be able to provide Charleson customers with the experience of a friendly, neighborhood drugstore while ensuring each prescription is handled with the highest standards of quality and care. The team of pharmacy technicians and sales associates will be highly qualified and experienced in helping customers find the right over-the-counter solutions for their individual needs as well as ensuring each prescription is filled accurately and efficiently.

Healthy1 Pharmacy History

Healthy1 is owned and operated by Stephen Harris, a licensed pharmacist with over fifteen years of experience working in the pharmacy industry. Stephen has worked for a large pharmacy chain and managed a team of pharmacy technicians for several years. Stephen’s tenure with the pharmacy chain combined with his pharmaceutical education has given him the skills and knowledge required to start his own pharmacy.

Since incorporation, Healthy1 Pharmacy has achieved the following milestones:

• Registered Healthy1 Pharmacy, LLC to transact business in the state of South Carolina.
• Has a contract in place to lease the retail storefront he will use for his pharmacy.
• Reached out to numerous contacts to include experienced pharmacy technicians and sales associates to advise them of the upcoming opportunities at his new pharmacy.
• Began recruiting the management team members including a store manager, an accountant/bookkeeper, and a marketing director.

Healthy1 Pharmacy Services

The following are the pharmacy products and services that Healthy1 Pharmacy will provide:

Industry Analysis

The pharmacy industry in the United States is valued at $534.2B and is projected to grow to $862B by 2028. Major market drivers include a growing number of types of diseases, an increasing percentage of people with chronic illnesses, an aging population, and higher healthcare costs.

There are more prescription medications being developed, and the demand for more prescriptions is growing faster than ever before. In 2020, there were an estimated 860M medications prescribed by physicians and 336M prescribed by hospitals. This prescription demand is resulting in more pharmacies opening across the U.S. The National Council for Prescription Drug Programs (NCPDP) reports an estimated 20,400 independent pharmacies in 2010. This number has grown to over 23,000 by 2019, a 12.9% increase in the number of independent pharmacies for that time period.

Industry operators in the pharmaceutical market can benefit from providing above average customer service, lower prices than competitors, and products or services that aren’t being offered elsewhere.

Customer Analysis

Demographic profile of target market.

Healthy1 Pharmacy will target all individuals in Charleston, South Carolina. The pharmacy will target multiple age groups from pediatric to geriatric. Healthy1 will also target patients needing prescriptions filled on a regular basis.

The precise demographics for Charleston, South Carolina are:

Customer Segmentation

Healthy1 will primarily target the following customer profiles:

• Parents of pediatric patients
• Geriatric patients
• People taking medications on a regular basis
• People needing compounding services
• People looking for vaccines or immunizations
• People who need lab tests

Competitive Analysis

Direct and indirect competitors.

Healthy1 Pharmacy will face competition from other companies with similar business profiles. A description of each competitor company is below.

Charleston Care Pharmacy

Charleston Care Pharmacy provides a wide variety of pharmacy products and services including OTC medications, lab testing, and compounding. Located in a senior neighborhood, Charleston Care Pharmacy specializes in serving the geriatric population, but welcomes customers of all ages. Charleston Care Pharmacy’s promise is to deliver effective communication, honesty, and integrity in every transaction. Charleston Care Pharmacy’s team of experienced pharmacy technicians assures customers are well taken care of and prescriptions are filled quickly and correctly.

FeelBetterNow Pharmacy

FeelBetterNowPharmacy is a Charleston-based neighborhood pharmacy that provides a full suite of services including compounding, vaccines, lab testing, local delivery, and more. The owners of FeelBetterNowPharmacy are licensed pharmacists who have extensive experience working for independent retail pharmacies so they understand what customers are looking for in a neighborhood pharmacy. Customers who choose FeelBetterNowPharmacy can rest assured they are getting the best quality products at reasonable prices.

Care Better Pharmacy

Care Better Pharmacy is a trusted Charleston pharmacy that is known for providing superior customer service. They are able to provide a one-stop shop for customers looking for convenient OTC and prescription medications, durable medical equipment, vaccines, and immunizations. Care Better Pharmacy is also able to serve customers in need of compounding, recurring prescriptions, and lab testing. They have expert pharmacy technicians to provide information about each medication and answer all of their customers’ questions.

Competitive Advantage

Healthy1 Pharmacy will be able to offer the following advantages over their competition:

• Healthy1 Pharmacy offers the best pricing in Charleston. The pharmacy offers its customers low prices on all of its products and services compared to the competition.

Marketing Plan

Brand & value proposition.

Healthy1 Pharmacy will offer the unique value proposition to its customers:

• Highly-qualified team of skilled pharmacy technicians and sales associates will be able to provide personalized customer service and ensure all prescriptions are handled with care.
• Unbeatable pricing to its clients – Healthy1 Pharmacy does not mark up its products and services at a large percentage. The pharmacy will offer the lowest prices guaranteed. If a customer finds a cheaper price elsewhere, Healthy1 Pharmacy will give the customer a better price.

Promotions Strategy

The promotions strategy for Healthy1 Pharmacy is as follows:

Healthy1 Pharmacy will create and maintain a company website that is well organized, informative, and lists all the products and services that Healthy1 is able to provide. The website will also list promotions and discounts, informative healthcare articles, and pharmacy-sponsored community events.

SEO/Google Marketing

The company’s marketing director will manage Healthy1’s website presence with SEO marketing tactics so that any time someone types in the Google or Bing search engine “Charleston pharmacy” or “pharmacy near me”, Healthy1 Pharmacy will be listed at the top of the search results.

Social Media Marketing

Healthy1 Pharmacy’s marketing director will also manage the company’s social media presence on several platforms including Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, TikTok, and LinkedIn. The goal of the social media strategy is to attract new customers while engaging with current customers to encourage referrals, reviews, and feedback.

Content Marketing/Email Marketing

The company will post blogs and other promotional content on a regular basis with informative health and wellness information to keep people coming back. Healthy1 will post informative content on the website, social media platforms, and through email newsletters.

Professional Associations/Networking

Healthy1 Pharmacy will become a member of professional associations such as the Independent Retail Pharmacy Association, the National Community Pharmacists Association, and the Tennessee Pharmacists Association. The company will focus networking efforts on expanding its customer base.

Print Advertising

Healthy1 Pharmacy will invest in professionally designed print ads to display in programs or flyers at industry networking events, in magazines, direct mailers, and in local newspapers.

The pricing will be lower than competitors so customers feel they receive value when they choose Healthy1 products and services.

Operations Plan

The following will be the operations plan for Healthy1 Pharmacy.

Operation Functions:

• Stephen Harris will be the Owner and Lead Pharmacist. He will oversee pharmacy technicians. Stephen has spent the past year recruiting the following staff:
• Emily Jackson – Store Manager who will oversee all retail operations, sales associates, supplier relations, and inventory management.
• Jessica Johnson – Staff Accountant/Bookkeeper who will provide budgeting, tax payments, and financial reporting.
• Tim Thompson – Marketing Director who will provide marketing and sales campaigns for Healthy1 Pharmacy.

Milestones:

Healthy1 Pharmacy will have the following milestones complete in the next six months.

9/1/2022 – Finalize contract to lease the retail space.

9/15/2022 – Finalize personnel and staff employment contracts for the Healthy1 Pharmacy team.

10/1/2022 – Finalize contracts with suppliers.

10/15/2022 – Network at industry events and initiate the marketing and promotional campaign.

10/22/2022 – Begin moving into the Healthy1 Pharmacy storefront.

11/1/2022 – Healthy1 Pharmacy opens for business.

Stephen Harris is a licensed pharmacist with a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree and more than fifteen years of experience working in the pharmacy industry. Stephen has been recognized for his commitment to excellence in filling prescriptions accurately and efficiently as well as his communication skills and positive rapport with customers.

Emily Jackson has been a store manager at another retail pharmacy for over a decade and has garnered a positive reputation for her exceptional organizational skills and leadership. Emily has worked in the pharmacy industry for so long, she understands all aspects required in running a successful retail pharmacy.

Financial Plan

Key revenue & costs.

The revenue drivers for Healthy1 Pharmacy are the fees charged to customers in exchange for the pharmacy’s products and services.

The cost drivers will be the overhead costs required in order to staff a pharmacy. The expenses will be the payroll cost, rent, utilities, inventory, supplies, and marketing materials.

Funding Requirements and Use of Funds

Healthy1 Pharmacy is seeking $400,000 in debt financing to launch its pharmacy business. The funding will be dedicated towards securing the retail space and purchasing equipment, inventory, and supplies. Funding will also be dedicated towards three months of overhead costs to include payroll of the staff, rent, and marketing costs. The breakout of the funding is below:

Key Assumptions

The following outlines the key assumptions required in order to achieve the revenue and cost numbers in the financials and in order to pay off the startup business loan.

• Number of prescriptions filled per month: 2,000
• Average fees collected each month: $50,000
• Retail lease per year: $100,000

Financial Projections

Income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement, what is a pharmacy business plan.

A pharmacy business plan is a plan to start and/or grow your pharmacy  business. Among other things, it outlines your business concept, identifies your target customers, presents your marketing plan and details your financial projections.

You can easily complete your pharmacy business plan using our Pharmacy Business Plan Template here .

What are the Main Types of Pharmacy Businesses?

There are a number of different kinds of self storage business , some examples include: Pharmacy, Home Care Pharmacy, Mail Order Pharmacy and Compounding Pharmacy.

How Do You Get Funding for Your Pharmacy Business Plan?

Pharmacy businesses are often funded through small business loans. Personal savings, credit card financing and angel investors are also popular forms of funding.

What are the Steps To Start a Pharmacy Business?

Starting a pharmacy business can be an exciting endeavor. Having a clear roadmap of the steps to start a business will help you stay focused on your goals and get started faster.

1. Develop A Pharmacy Business Plan - The first step in starting a business is to create a detailed pharmacy business plan that outlines all aspects of the venture. This should include potential market size and target customers, the services or products you will offer, pricing strategies and a detailed financial forecast.  

2. Choose Your Legal Structure - It's important to select an appropriate legal entity for your pharmacy business. This could be a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks so it’s important to do research and choose wisely so that your pharmacy business is in compliance with local laws.

3. Register Your Pharmacy Business - Once you have chosen a legal structure, the next step is to register your pharmacy business with the government or state where you’re operating from. This includes obtaining licenses and permits as required by federal, state, and local laws. 

4. Identify Financing Options - It’s likely that you’ll need some capital to start your pharmacy business, so take some time to identify what financing options are available such as bank loans, investor funding, grants, or crowdfunding platforms. 

5. Choose a Location - Whether you plan on operating out of a physical location or not, you should always have an idea of where you’ll be based should it become necessary in the future as well as what kind of space would be suitable for your operations. 

6. Hire Employees - There are several ways to find qualified employees including job boards like LinkedIn or Indeed as well as hiring agencies if needed – depending on what type of employees you need it might also be more effective to reach out directly through networking events. 

7. Acquire Necessary Pharmacy Equipment & Supplies - In order to start your pharmacy business, you'll need to purchase all of the necessary equipment and supplies to run a successful operation. 

8. Market & Promote Your Business - Once you have all the necessary pieces in place, it’s time to start promoting and marketing your pharmacy business. This includes creating a website, utilizing social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter, and having an effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy. You should also consider traditional marketing techniques such as radio or print advertising.

Learn more about how to start a successful pharmacy business:

• How to Start a Pharmacy Business

Where Can I Get a Pharmacy Business Plan PDF?

You can download our free pharmacy business plan template PDF here . This is a sample pharmacy business plan template you can use in PDF format.

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Pharmacy Business Plan

Things to Consider Before Writing a Pharmacy Store Business Plan

Check your legal requirements.

A pharmacy business requires a fair amount of licenses and permits. It is good to have a checklist of all the required licenses and to see if you have to get any of them.

Research what permits your state requires as well as the ones mandatory for everyone. It helps you stay on the good side of the law.

Pick a good location

A pharmacy setup requires a fixed minimum area. Also, a pharmacy that is easily accessible is more likely to succeed than one which is unreachable during emergencies. Hence, picking a good location is important .

Also, you can pick between starting a physical store or going online. Both business structures would have their pros and cons. You should pick the one that is the best for you.

Have a proper storage facility

Different medicines and formulas have different storage requirements. You’ll keep most of them in cool and dry places though. Bad storage can cost a pharmacy business dearly, even if you do everything else right.

Hence, it is important to have a good and ideal storage facility before you get started.

Check if your staff has the proper technical knowledge

You need technical knowledge and attention to detail to fare well as a pharmacist and so does your staff. As dealing with medicines is quite a critical job and can have consequences if not done right, it is important to find staff who know what they are doing and are well-trained and up to the job.

After you figure out some of the technical requirements, it is essential to figure out the business side of running a pharmacy. Planning, in the beginning, can save you from a lot of trouble later on.

Chalking Out Your Business Plan

A business plan helps you stay prepared for challenges, make better decisions, and formulate better business strategies. A pharmacy business takes a fair amount of legal procedures and competitive strategies, a pharmacy business plan can help you with that.

Reading some sample business plans will give you a good idea of what you’re aiming for. Also, it will show you the different sections that different entrepreneurs include and the language they use to write about themselves and their business plans.

We have created this sample pharmacy business plan for you to get a good idea about how perfect a pharmacy business plan should look and what details you will need to include in your stunning business plan.

Pharmacy Business Plan Outline

This is the standard business plan outline which will cover all important sections that you should include in your business plan.

• Keys to Success
• Business Ownership
• Summary Chart
• Business Model Description
• Mail order customers
• Walk-in customers
• Target Market Analysis
• Target Market Segment Strategy
• Competitive Edge
• Marketing Strategy
• Sales Forecast
• Development Requirements
• Personnel Plan
• Important Assumptions
• Break-even Analysis
• Projected Profit and Loss
• Projected Cash Flow
• Balance Sheet

Let’s understand how you can write each section of the pharmacy business plan.

1. Executive Summary

The executive summary section forms the first page of your business plan. It summarises all that your business stands for.

The executive summary section consists of the following subsegments:

• Objectives : This segment consists of the reason you started your business in the first place. What is your idea behind it and what problem do you plan on solving with it?
• Mission : Your mission statement should reflect how your pharmacy business can help people, apart from providing them with medicines. It reflects how your idea can deal with a problem more optimally.
• Financial Summary : This section would consist of the funding requirements of your business, and how the said funds would be put to use. It serves the main purpose of the executive summary, which is to get your business funded.

As a pharmacy business, your executive summary would consist of the type and size of your pharmacy business, your team, your qualifications and licenses, and a summary of your financial plan.

2. Products and Services

This section consists of a description of all the products and services your pharmacy offers.

For example, apart from your general products, this section can also consist of services your pharmacy offers like home delivery of medicines, subscription packages, online orders, etc.

3. Market Analysis

Market analysis helps you understand what you are getting yourself into. It also helps you make sense of all the research you have done and how you can put it to use for your business.

It consists of the following subsegments:

• Market Segmentation : Through market segmentation, you separate your target audience from the rest of the market based on their age, gender, income, occupation, medical conditions, etc.
• Market Positioning : In this segment, you can add an analysis of where you stand in the current market. And what would be the best marketing strategy for you as per your position?
• Target Market Analysis : In this section, you’ll write down an analysis of your target market, and their tastes and preferences.

As a pharmacy business, you can list down the type of pharmacy you own, your target customer base, the kind of services they like, the location they’ll prefer, and how they buy their medical supplies.

4. Strategy And Implementation

After you carry out market analysis, the next step would be to create a marketing strategy based on the same. This section helps you promote your business to your target audience.

This section consists of the following subsegments:

• Competitive Edge : Include your competitive advantage in this section. Include how your product is better than your competitor’s and how you’ll use that to your advantage.
• Marketing Strategy : Your marketing strategy should speak to your target audience. Your campaign should show your customers how your business solves a pressing problem.
• Sales Strategy : A sales strategy should be formulated after surveying what works best for your specific industry.

As a pharmacy business, you can center your marketing around safe products, better service, and availability. According to various surveys, KAM, clinical sales force, and service rep model are three of the most successful strategies for pharmacies.

5. Web Plan

With everything going online, a website strategy is of utmost importance. With online pharmacies like mail, my prescriptions, and Amazon pharmacy coming up, having an online presence is crucial to being seen by your consumers.

Moreover, an eCommerce website can also serve as a good alternative if you don’t want to go through the hassle of owning a physical store.

Nonetheless, building your online presence can help you in getting noticed. It is also a good method of promoting your brand idea.

6. Financial Plan

This section would consist of everything about your company’s finances. From your financial history to your projected profits, your financial plan would cover it all.

A good financial plan helps your business survive and thrive.

This segment consists of the following subsegments:

• Financial Resources : This segment would consist of the investment you can put in your business, as well as other resources for meeting your funding requirements.
• Funding Requirements : This would consist of the funding requirements to set up your pharmacy and keep it going.
• Projected Cash Flow and Profits : This section would consist of your business’s expected cash flow and profits in the long term.

Download a sample pharmacy business plan

Need help writing your business plan from scratch? Here you go;  download our free pharmacy business plan pdf  to start.

It’s a modern business plan template specifically designed for your pharmacy business. Use the example business plan as a guide for writing your own.

The Quickest Way to turn a Business Idea into a Business Plan

Fill-in-the-blanks and automatic financials make it easy.

Pharmacy Business Plan Summary

In conclusion, though a pharmacy business might take a lot of work, you can make running your business a lot easier and smoother with a business plan.

A business plan helps you stay organized and updated as per market trends and changing environment of the industry.

After getting started with Upmetrics , you can copy this sample pharmacy business plan template into your business plan and modify the required information and download your pharmacy business plan pdf or doc file.

It’s the fastest and easiest way to start writing your business plan.

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How to Start a Pharmacy: A Complete Guide

Last updated Dec 11, 2020 | Pharmacy Management

Starting any new business can be daunting and pharmacies come with their own unique learning curve. In a competitive market, pharmacists have to work hard to stand out from the crowd and scale their business successfully.

There are a lot of components to a good pharmacy, but it starts with creating a solid business plan and brand. To help you prepare, we’ve created a guide that walks you through how to start a pharmacy, from business plan to grand opening.  

Create a Business Plan

Before getting into the nuts and bolts of opening your pharmacy, it’s important to start with an overview of the business you want to build. A business plan is a roadmap for your pharmacy, laying out all the different components in one place and acting as a manual for growth.

How to Start a Pharmacy Business Plan

A pharmacy business plan should contain the following:

Executive Summary

A high-level summary, highlighting the important points to give potential investors all the information they need on a single page. 

Description of Business 

Includes details like your:

• Pharmacy niche and branding
• Target market/audience
• Location and space
• Potential team members and titles
• Potential expenses

Description of Service(s)

What services do you plan to offer your target market? This section covers your future pharmacy’s sources of revenue, including potential prescription stock, retail products, or specialty and healthcare services.

Marketing Plan 

You need to have a good handle on the competition and a plan for promoting yourself. This section should contain an in-depth competitor analysis, ideas for marketing and sales strategies, and a SWOT analysis of your business .

Financial Plan 

Projected revenue, expenses, and major costs, such as lease timelines, mortgage payments, and estimated payroll go here. Also include any financing information and an exit strategy, if possible. 

To get you started, here is an excellent example of a pharmacy business plan , broken down by section in detail. 

Define Your Pharmacy Brand

A brand encapsulates your business and determines how customers will identify you, interact with you, and use your products or services. 

What Makes a Good Brand?

Many people think of a brand as the visuals, the logo, and color schemes you see on any website or business card. But there’s a lot more to it.

Key factors of a brand include:

Mission and Vision Statements

A mission statement defines your purpose and values as a company, spelling out what you do, how, and why. Your vision statement breaks down future goals for your business and how you will act on your mission.

Value Proposition

In order to stand out in the market, you need to identify your unique value as a business and define it in a value proposition statement . This could be anything from location (“the only pharmacy in town”) or background (“family-run pharmacy”), to competitive pricing, standout customer service, or specialized services.

Naming and Trademarking

Choosing a name can be difficult, and you want it to be easy to remember and tell people who you are and what the business is about. If you pick a unique name or want to make sure no one else can use it, consider applying for a trademark before you open.

Visual Identity

The face of your brand, visual identity covers your logo, brand color palette, typography, images, graphics, and other elements businesses use to market and promote themselves.

Set up Your Website

Now you have branding in place, it’s time to introduce your business to potential patients online. Every successful pharmacy business owner should have a website and social media accounts that patients can visit to access location and service information. 

Getting Your Domain and Social Handles

The first step to setting up your pharmacy website is buying a domain name. Make sure that your ideal domain name is available by plugging it into a domain search database, such as Instant Domain Search .

Social media accounts can boost your position in search engine results and help draw visitors to your site. Set up profiles on Twitter and Instagram and a Facebook Business Page with user names that are as close to your business name as possible. 

Pharmacy Website Basics

If you plan to offer digital tools and services or collect patients’ health information, make sure that your pharmacy website is HIPAA-compliant .

A successful pharmacy website should contain your: 

• Brand identity
• Location and contact information
• Introduction to products, services, and staff
• Links to social media accounts

For more tips on marketing your pharmacy business online, check out our latest ebook .

Pick a Pharmacy Location

Before you start scouting, it’s a good idea to ask yourself a few questions about your area of choice:

• How many other pharmacies are there?
• What services do nearby pharmacies offer and are they direct competitors with you?
• Is the prescription base big enough for everyone?

Assessing the level of competition in your ideal locations can help you narrow things down and assess potential opportunities. 

What Makes a Good Business Site

Real estate agents say it’s all about “location, location, location,” but what does that mean for a pharmacy business? Here are a few factors to consider when searching for a pharmacy site :

Accessibility 

The amount of daily foot and car traffic, visibility from the road, convenience of parking, entrances, and exits, and whether the site has room for a drive-thru or curbside pickup.

Is there room enough to operate and grow? Think about how many locations you want and the services, stock, and staff you’ll need to maintain. 

Previous tenants 

If there were other pharmacies in the same space, try to figure out what made them leave or close. It could mean there’s an active customer base or it could be a warning sign. 

Other business sources 

Look for sites located near complementary businesses, like doctor’s offices or other medical facilities which help guarantee good foot traffic and offer opportunities for future collaboration. 

Determine Your Financials

Your business plan should include an estimate of startup and working costs for your pharmacy , as well as the types of funding you plan to pursue. Determining your pharmacy’s financial needs will help prepare you for applying for loans or approaching potential investors. 

Here are some of the costs you should keep in mind:

Build-out costs: Includes mortgage down payment, construction, renovation, fixtures, and interior design.

Inventory: Covers your initial stock of prescription and OTC drugs and other retail or healthcare products. 

Operating expenses: Calculate how much you’ll need to cover day-to-day expenses for at least 6 months after you open to allow time for the pharmacy to make a profit.

Once you have funding in place, keep track of current and future costs with a pharmacy income statement , which calculates your:

• Sale deductions
• Cost of goods sold (COGS)
• Gross profit
• Net profit and profit margins
• Operating expenses

Get Your Licenses in Order

All new businesses require paperwork and that’s doubly true of pharmacies, which tend to be heavily regulated. Get started by registering as a business entity in your state , requesting your federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) , and opening your first business bank account . 

After you complete the business basics, check for state and federal pharmacy operating licensing requirements and permits , which will vary by location. 

Typical requirements include:

• State pharmacy license or permit
• Controlled substance registration
• National Council for Prescription Drug Programs (NABP/NCPDP) number
• Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) number
• National Provider Identifier (NPI) number

Keep in mind that if you also plan to practice in your own location, you need to meet state requirements for pharmacists as well. 

Prep for Opening

You’re nearly ready to open for business, but before you do, there are some important last-minute details you’ll need to oversee. 

Investing in Digital Tools

To simplify operations, start off strong by streamlining your workflow and offering patients a multichannel digital experience. Install a pharmacy management system (PMS) to keep you running efficiently and an interactive voice response (IVR) solution to manage inbound calls. Digital communications software can offer secure messaging and help you identify clinical opportunities.

Contact us today for a free demo of our IVR solution. 

Inventory Ordering

Look for wholesalers you can develop long-term relationships with , not just ones that offer lower costs. Try and ask for sample orders of prescription and OTC medications initially to keep costs down and tide you over while your pharmacy grows.

Front of Store Flow and Design

Think about what you want patients to see when they walk through your door. Consider the overall store layout and how best to position products, staff, and counters. Generous aisle spacing and clear paths to checkout lines can make a big difference to traffic flow and revenue . 

Online and Offline Advertising 

Try to position signage towards high-traffic areas so people will see it as they drive by and contact local publications for a new business interview. If you haven’t already, start working on a digital marketing strategy , leveraging social media channels and paid ads to generate interest in your brand opening and attract visitors to your website. 

Last but not least, don’t forget to celebrate your new achievement! Throw a party for yourself and your staff to kick off this new phase of your life. 

More Pharmacy Management Resources

For more about running a successful pharmacy, check out our resources for pharmacy management . 

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Retail Pharmacy Business Plan Template & Guidebook

Starting a pharmacy business can be a daunting task, but with the right plan and guidance, it can be a great opportunity to provide quality healthcare services to customers. The #1 Retail Pharmacy Business Plan Template & Guidebook provides a comprehensive template and step-by-step guide to help entrepreneurs create an effective business plan and accurately assess the financial viability of their pharmacy business. Learn how this invaluable document can help take your retail pharmacy business to the next level.

Get worry-free services and support to launch your business starting at $0 plus state fees.

• How to Start a Profitable Retail Pharmacy Business [11 Steps]

How to Write a Retail Pharmacy Business Plan in 7 Steps:

1. describe the purpose of your retail pharmacy business..

The first step to writing your business plan is to describe the purpose of your retail pharmacy business. This includes describing why you are starting this type of business, and what problems it will solve for customers. This is a quick way to get your mind thinking about the customers’ problems. It also helps you identify what makes your business different from others in its industry.

It also helps to include a vision statement so that readers can understand what type of company you want to build.

Here is an example of a purpose mission statement for a retail pharmacy business:

Our mission is to provide our customers with an exceptional experience in the retail pharmacy, comprised of personalized and accessible care from knowledgeable and compassionate staff combined with a wide range of products and services tailored to a variety of needs.

2. Products & Services Offered by Your Retail Pharmacy Business.

The next step is to outline your products and services for your retail pharmacy business. 

When you think about the products and services that you offer, it's helpful to ask yourself the following questions:

• What is my business?
• What are the products and/or services that I offer?
• Why am I offering these particular products and/or services?
• How do I differentiate myself from competitors with similar offerings?
• How will I market my products and services?

You may want to do a comparison of your business plan against those of other competitors in the area, or even with online reviews. This way, you can find out what people like about them and what they don’t like, so that you can either improve upon their offerings or avoid doing so altogether.

3. Build a Creative Marketing Stratgey.

If you don't have a marketing plan for your retail pharmacy business, it's time to write one. Your marketing plan should be part of your business plan and be a roadmap to your goals. 

A good marketing plan for your retail pharmacy business includes the following elements:

Target market

• Who is your target market?
• What do these customers have in common?
• How many of them are there?
• How can you best reach them with your message or product?

Customer base 

• Who are your current customers? 
• Where did they come from (i.e., referrals)?
• How can their experience with your retail pharmacy business help make them repeat customers, consumers, visitors, subscribers, or advocates for other people in their network or industry who might also benefit from using this service, product, or brand?

Product or service description

• How does it work, what features does it have, and what are its benefits?
• Can anyone use this product or service regardless of age or gender?
• Can anyone visually see themselves using this product or service?
• How will they feel when they do so? If so, how long will the feeling last after purchasing (or trying) the product/service for the first time?

Competitive analysis

• Which companies are competing with yours today (and why)? 
• Which ones may enter into competition with yours tomorrow if they find out about it now through word-of-mouth advertising; social media networks; friends' recommendations; etc.)
• What specific advantages does each competitor offer over yours currently?

Marketing channels

• Which marketing channel do you intend to leverage to attract new customers?
• What is your estimated marketing budget needed?
• What is the projected cost to acquire a new customer?
• How many of your customers do you instead will return?

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4. Write Your Operational Plan.

Next, you'll need to build your operational plan. This section describes the type of business you'll be running, and includes the steps involved in your operations. 

In it, you should list:

• The equipment and facilities needed
• Who will be involved in the business (employees, contractors)
• Financial requirements for each step
• Milestones & KPIs
• Location of your business
• Zoning & permits required for the business

What equipment, supplies, or permits are needed to run a retail pharmacy business?

In order to run a retail pharmacy business, the following equipment, supplies and permits are needed:

• Medical Supplies and Equipment
• Computers and Point of Sale System
• Pharmacy Software
• Licensing and Permits from State & Federal Agencies
• Business Licensing
• Safety Supplies
• Adequate Insurance Coverage

5. Management & Organization of Your Retail Pharmacy Business.

The second part of your retail pharmacy business plan is to develop a management and organization section.

This section will cover all of the following:

• How many employees you need in order to run your retail pharmacy business. This should include the roles they will play (for example, one person may be responsible for managing administrative duties while another might be in charge of customer service).
• The structure of your management team. The higher-ups like yourself should be able to delegate tasks through lower-level managers who are directly responsible for their given department (inventory and sales, etc.).
• How you’re going to make sure that everyone on board is doing their job well. You’ll want check-ins with employees regularly so they have time to ask questions or voice concerns if needed; this also gives you time to offer support where necessary while staying informed on how things are going within individual departments too!

6. Retail Pharmacy Business Startup Expenses & Captial Needed.

This section should be broken down by month and year. If you are still in the planning stage of your business, it may be helpful to estimate how much money will be needed each month until you reach profitability.

Typically, expenses for your business can be broken into a few basic categories:

Startup Costs

Startup costs are typically the first expenses you will incur when beginning an enterprise. These include legal fees, accounting expenses, and other costs associated with getting your business off the ground. The amount of money needed to start a retail pharmacy business varies based on many different variables, but below are a few different types of startup costs for a retail pharmacy business.

Running & Operating Costs

Running costs refer to ongoing expenses related directly with operating your business over time like electricity bills or salaries paid out each month. These types of expenses will vary greatly depending on multiple variables such as location, team size, utility costs, etc.

Marketing & Sales Expenses

You should include any costs associated with marketing and sales, such as advertising and promotions, website design or maintenance. Also, consider any additional expenses that may be incurred if you decide to launch a new product or service line. For example, if your retail pharmacy business has an existing website that needs an upgrade in order to sell more products or services, then this should be listed here.

7. Financial Plan & Projections

A financial plan is an important part of any business plan, as it outlines how the business will generate revenue and profit, and how it will use that profit to grow and sustain itself. To devise a financial plan for your retail pharmacy business, you will need to consider a number of factors, including your start-up costs, operating costs, projected revenue, and expenses. 

Here are some steps you can follow to devise a financial plan for your retail pharmacy business plan:

• Determine your start-up costs: This will include the cost of purchasing or leasing the space where you will operate your business, as well as the cost of buying or leasing any equipment or supplies that you need to start the business.
• Estimate your operating costs: Operating costs will include utilities, such as electricity, gas, and water, as well as labor costs for employees, if any, and the cost of purchasing any materials or supplies that you will need to run your business.
• Project your revenue: To project your revenue, you will need to consider the number of customers you expect to have and the average amount they will spend on each visit. You can use this information to estimate how much money you will make from selling your products or services.
• Estimate your expenses: In addition to your operating costs, you will need to consider other expenses, such as insurance, marketing, and maintenance. You will also need to set aside money for taxes and other fees.
• Create a budget: Once you have estimated your start-up costs, operating costs, revenue, and expenses, you can use this information to create a budget for your business. This will help you to see how much money you will need to start the business, and how much profit you can expect to make.
• Develop a plan for using your profit: Finally, you will need to decide how you will use your profit to grow and sustain your business. This might include investing in new equipment, expanding the business, or saving for a rainy day.

Frequently Asked Questions About Retail Pharmacy Business Plans:

Why do you need a business plan for a retail pharmacy business.

A business plan for a retail pharmacy business is essential for the success of the business. It outlines the goals and objectives of the business, provides a road map of how the pharmacy will operate, and helps to identify any potential risks associated with running a retail pharmacy. The plan also helps to identify key personnel, define financial requirements and develop sales and marketing strategies. Additionally, it helps to establish short-term and long-term objectives and provides clarity regarding how profits will be used to grow the business.

Who should you ask for help with your retail pharmacy business plan?

You should ask a business consultant, an accountant or financial advisor, or a business plan writer for help with your retail pharmacy business plan.

Can you write a retail pharmacy business plan yourself?

Writing a business plan requires research, development and the ability to write an effective business plan. It is recommended that those wishing to create a business plan for a retail pharmacy should seek professional help from experienced business plan writers, who are familiar with the pharmacy industry and can provide comprehensive and tailored guidance. Additionally, there are online resources and templates available to help guide you through the process of creating a business plan.

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I'm Nick, co-founder of newfoundr.com, dedicated to helping aspiring entrepreneurs succeed. As a small business owner with over five years of experience, I have garnered valuable knowledge and insights across a diverse range of industries. My passion for entrepreneurship drives me to share my expertise with aspiring entrepreneurs, empowering them to turn their business dreams into reality.

Through meticulous research and firsthand experience, I uncover the essential steps, software, tools, and costs associated with launching and maintaining a successful business. By demystifying the complexities of entrepreneurship, I provide the guidance and support needed for others to embark on their journey with confidence.

From assessing market viability and formulating business plans to selecting the right technology and navigating the financial landscape, I am dedicated to helping fellow entrepreneurs overcome challenges and unlock their full potential. As a steadfast advocate for small business success, my mission is to pave the way for a new generation of innovative and driven entrepreneurs who are ready to make their mark on the world.

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Back to All Business Ideas

How to Start a Pharmacy

Written by: Carolyn Young

Carolyn Young is a business writer who focuses on entrepreneurial concepts and the business formation. She has over 25 years of experience in business roles, and has authored several entrepreneurship textbooks.

Edited by: David Lepeska

David has been writing and learning about business, finance and globalization for a quarter-century, starting with a small New York consulting firm in the 1990s.

Published on May 4, 2022 Updated on March 13, 2024

Investment range

$204,550 - $709,100

Revenue potential

$365,000 - $912,000 p.a.

Time to build

Profit potential

$73,000 - $183,000 p.a.

Industry trend

If you’re a licensed pharmacist, it may be the perfect time to quit your day job and start your own pharmacy. It’s a growing US industry, having expanded 28% in the last decade and expected to add nearly 5% more in 2022. It will take a sizable investment to get started, but by selling convenience items as well as prescription drugs, you can make a good living while helping people get the medications they need. 

But in addition to your pharmaceutical knowledge, you’ll need some business know-how as well. Fortunately, this step-by-step guide will teach you the entrepreneurial process involved in launching a successful pharmacy. 

Looking to register your business? A limited liability company (LLC) is the best legal structure for new businesses because it is fast and simple.

Form your business immediately using ZenBusiness LLC formation service or hire one of the Best LLC Services .

Step 1: Decide if the Business Is Right for You

Pros and cons.

Starting a pharmacy has pros and cons to consider before deciding if it’s right for you.

• Critical Service – All communities need crucial medications
• Growing Market – Demand for meds is rising due to US’ aging population
• Good Money – Profit margins on many pharmacy items are high
• Large Investment – Stocking a pharmacy is expensive
• Insurance Hassles – Deal with multiple insurance companies
• Strict Regulations – Licensing required, plus FDA regulations

Pharmacy industry trends

Industry size and growth.

• Industry size and past growth – The US pharmacies and drug stores industry is worth $351.6 billion in 2022 after expanding nearly 28% in the last decade.(( https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/market-size/pharmacies-drug-stores-united-states/ ))
• Growth forecast – The US pharmacies and drug stores industry is projected to grow 4.6% in 2022. 
• Number of businesses – In 2022, 28,813 pharmacies and drug stores businesses are operating in the US.(( https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/number-of-businesses/pharmacies-drug-stores-united-states/ ))
• Number of people employed – In 2022, the US pharmacies and drug stores industry employs 744,869 people.(( https://img.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/employment/pharmacies-drug-stores-united-states/ ))

Trends and challenges

Trends in the pharmacy industry include:

• Mail order prescriptions are declining due to the availability of 90-day prescriptions from drug stores, driving more people to retail outlets.
• More pharmacies are adding mini-clinics to their stores, which is an additional cost and revenue opportunity for pharmacy owners.

Challenges in the pharmacy industry include:

• People are increasingly opting for the lower prices of generic drugs, which decreases revenue and profit for pharmacies.
• The market is becoming more and more saturated with pharmacies, creating intense competition.

Demand hotspots

• Most popular states – The most popular states for pharmacists are Maine, New Hampshire, and California.(( https://www.zippia.com/pharmacist-jobs/best-states/ ))
• Least popular states – The least popular states for pharmacists are South Dakota, Arkansas, and Wyoming.

What kind of people work in pharmacies?

• Gender – 56.8% of pharmacists are female, while 43.2% are male.(( https://www.zippia.com/pharmacist-jobs/demographics/ ))
• Average level of education – The average pharmacist has a bachelor’s degree.
• Average age – The average pharmacist in the US is 42 years old.

How much does it cost to start a pharmacy business?

Startup costs for a pharmacy range from $200,000 for a small community pharmacy to $700,000 or more for a larger pharmacy. The largest cost is the inventory of drugs and other items.

You’ll need a handful of items to successfully launch your pharmacy business, including: 

• Dosage measures and measure racks
• Material safety data sheets
• Compounding equipment
• Personal protective equipment
• Tablet bottles and cartons
• Refrigerator

How much can you earn from a pharmacy business?

Prices for pharmacy items vary greatly. Some drugs cost hundreds of dollars, and pharmacy convenience prices also vary. These calculations will assume that the average customer in your pharmacy will spend $50 (some of which will be paid by insurance companies). Your profit margin after rent, overhead, cost of goods, and labor should be about 20%.

In your first year or two, you might have 20 customers a day, bringing in $365,000 in annual revenue. This would mean $73,000 in profit, assuming that 20% margin. As you build a strong reputation, you might have 50 customers a day. With annual revenue of $912,000, you’d make a fantastic profit of nearly $183,000.

What barriers to entry are there?

There are a few barriers to entry for a pharmacy. Your biggest challenges will be:

• Required education and licensing 
• Getting credentialed by insurance companies
• Funding the high startup costs

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Step 2: hone your idea.

Now that you know what’s involved in starting a pharmacy, it’s a good idea to hone your concept in preparation to enter a competitive market.

Market research will give you the upper hand, even if you’re already positive that you have a perfect product or service. Conducting market research is important, because it can help you understand your customers better, who your competitors are, and your business landscape.

Why? Identify an opportunity

Research pharmacies in your area to examine their products, price points, and customer reviews. You’re looking for a market gap to fill. For instance, maybe the local market is missing a small independent pharmacy, a pharmacy with a clinic, or a pharmacy with a delivery service. 

You might consider targeting a niche market by specializing in a certain aspect of your industry, such as controlled substances or discount prescription medications.

This could jumpstart your word-of-mouth marketing and attract clients right away.

What? Determine your products or services

In addition to prescription medications you can offer a host of other items from over-the-counter drugs, to snacks, to cosmetics, and much more.

How much should you charge for pharmacy items?

Prices vary greatly based on items. Check the prices other pharmacies charge to make sure you’re competitive. After all costs, you should aim for a profit margin of about 20%.Once you know your costs, you can use this Step By Step profit margin calculator to determine your mark-up and final price points. Remember, the prices you use at launch should be subject to change if warranted by the market.

Who? Identify your target market

Your target market will be extremely broad. You should spread out your marketing to include sites like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook.

Where? Choose your pharmacy location

The location of your pharmacy is an important factor in attracting customers and ensuring your business’s success. Look for a spot in a busy commercial district or near a medical center or hospital.

Consider accessibility and convenience, ensuring that the location is easily reachable by public transportation and has ample parking.

By strategically choosing the right location, you can establish a profitable and successful pharmacy that provides essential healthcare services to customers and stands out in the competitive healthcare industry. You can find commercial space to rent in your area on sites such as Craigslist , Crexi , and Instant Offices .

When choosing a commercial space, you may want to follow these rules of thumb:

• Central location accessible via public transport
• Ventilated and spacious, with good natural light
• Flexible lease that can be extended as your business grows
• Ready-to-use space with no major renovations or repairs needed

Step 3: Brainstorm a Pharmacy Name

Your business name is your business identity, so choose one that encapsulates your objectives, services, and mission in just a few words. You probably want a name that’s short and easy to remember, since much of your business, and your initial business in particular, will come from word-of-mouth referrals.

Here are some ideas for brainstorming your business name:

• Short, unique, and catchy names tend to stand out
• Names that are easy to say and spell tend to do better 
• Name should be relevant to your product or service offerings
• Ask around — family, friends, colleagues, social media — for suggestions
• Including keywords, such as “pharmacy” or “drugstore”, boosts SEO
• Name should allow for expansion, for ex: “Vitality Pharmacy” over “Mental Health Meds”
• Avoid location-based names that might hinder future expansion
• Use online tools like the Step by Step Business Name Generator . Just type in a few keywords and hit “generate” and you’ll have dozens of suggestions at your fingertips.

Once you’ve got a list of potential names, visit the website of the US Patent and Trademark Office to make sure they are available for registration and check the availability of related domain names using our Domain Name Search tool. Using “.com” or “.org” sharply increases credibility, so it’s best to focus on these. 

Find a Domain

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Finally, make your choice among the names that pass this screening and go ahead with domain registration and social media account creation. Your business name is one of the key differentiators that sets your business apart. Once you pick your company name, and start with the branding, it is hard to change the business name. Therefore, it’s important to carefully consider your choice before you start a business entity.

Step 4: Create a Pharmacy Business Plan

Every business needs a plan. This will function as a guidebook to take your startup through the launch process and maintain focus on your key goals. A business plan also enables potential partners and investors to better understand your company and its vision:

• Executive Summary: A concise overview of the pharmacy business plan, summarizing key elements and objectives.
• Business Overview: Detailed information about the pharmacy, including its mission, vision, location, and legal structure.
• Product and Services: Outline of the pharmaceutical and healthcare services offered, including any additional products or specialized services.
• Market Analysis: Examination of the local and broader market, identifying target demographics, trends, and potential opportunities for the pharmacy.
• Competitive Analysis: Evaluation of competitors in the area, highlighting strengths, weaknesses, and strategies to differentiate the pharmacy.
• Sales and Marketing: Strategies for promoting the pharmacy’s products and services, attracting customers, and building a loyal clientele.
• Management Team: Introduction of key personnel involved in the pharmacy, emphasizing their skills and roles.
• Operations Plan: Details on day-to-day activities, workflow, and logistics of running the pharmacy efficiently.
• Financial Plan: Comprehensive financial projections, including income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow forecasts for the pharmacy.
• Appendix: Supplementary materials such as resumes, licenses, permits, or any additional documentation supporting the business plan.

If you’ve never created a business plan, it can be an intimidating task. You might consider hiring a business plan specialist to create a top-notch business plan for you.

Step 5: Register Your Business

Registering your business is an absolutely crucial step — it’s the prerequisite to paying taxes, raising capital, opening a bank account, and other guideposts on the road to getting a business up and running.

Plus, registration is exciting because it makes the entire process official. Once it’s complete, you’ll have your own business!

Choose where to register your company

Your business location is important because it can affect taxes, legal requirements, and revenue. Most people will register their business in the state where they live, but if you’re planning to expand, you might consider looking elsewhere, as some states could offer real advantages when it comes to pharmacies. If you’re willing to move, you could really maximize your business! Keep in mind, it’s relatively easy to transfer your business to another state.

Choose your business structure

Business entities come in several varieties, each with its pros and cons. The legal structure you choose for your pharmacy will shape your taxes, personal liability, and business registration requirements, so choose wisely. 

Here are the main options:

• Sole Proprietorship – The most common structure for small businesses makes no legal distinction between company and owner. All income goes to the owner, who’s also liable for any debts, losses, or liabilities incurred by the business. The owner pays taxes on business income on his or her personal tax return.
• General Partnership – Similar to a sole proprietorship, but for two or more people. Again, owners keep the profits and are liable for losses. The partners pay taxes on their share of business income on their personal tax returns.
• Limited Liability Company (LLC) – Combines the characteristics of corporations with those of sole proprietorships or partnerships. Again, the owners are not personally liable for debts.
• C Corp – Under this structure, the business is a distinct legal entity and the owner or owners are not personally liable for its debts. Owners take profits through shareholder dividends, rather than directly. The corporation pays taxes, and owners pay taxes on their dividends, which is sometimes referred to as double taxation.
• S Corp – An S-Corporation refers to the tax classification of the business but is not a business entity. An S-Corp can be either a corporation or an LLC , which just need to elect to be an S-Corp for tax status. In an S-Corp, income is passed through directly to shareholders, who pay taxes on their share of business income on their personal tax returns.

We recommend that new business owners choose LLC as it offers liability protection and pass-through taxation while being simpler to form than a corporation. You can form an LLC in as little as five minutes using an online LLC formation service. They will check that your business name is available before filing, submit your articles of organization , and answer any questions you might have. 

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Step 6: Register for Taxes

The final step before you’re able to pay taxes is getting an Employer Identification Number , or EIN. You can file for your EIN online or by mail or fax: visit the IRS website to learn more. Keep in mind, if you’ve chosen to be a sole proprietorship you can simply use your social security number as your EIN. 

Once you have your EIN, you’ll need to choose your tax year. Financially speaking, your business will operate in a calendar year (January–December) or a fiscal year, a 12-month period that can start in any month. This will determine your tax cycle, while your business structure will determine which taxes you’ll pay.

The IRS website also offers a tax-payers checklist , and taxes can be filed online.

It is important to consult an accountant or other professional to help you with your taxes to ensure you’re completing them correctly.

Step 7: Fund your Business

Securing financing is your next step and there are plenty of ways to raise capital:

• Bank loans: This is the most common method but getting approved requires a rock-solid business plan and strong credit history.
• SBA-guaranteed loans: The Small Business Administration can act as guarantor, helping gain that elusive bank approval via an SBA-guaranteed loan .
• Government grants: A handful of financial assistance programs help fund entrepreneurs. Visit Grants.gov to learn which might work for you.
• Friends and Family: Reach out to friends and family to provide a business loan or investment in your concept. It’s a good idea to have legal advice when doing so because SEC regulations apply.
• Crowdfunding: Websites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo offer an increasingly popular low-risk option, in which donors fund your vision. Entrepreneurial crowdfunding sites like Fundable and WeFunder enable multiple investors to fund your business.
• Personal: Self-fund your business via your savings or the sale of property or other assets.

Bank and SBA loans are probably the best option, other than friends and family, for funding a pharmacy business.

Step 8: Apply for Pharmacy Business Licenses and Permits

Starting a pharmacy business requires obtaining a number of licenses and permits from local, state, and federal governments.

In addition to being a licensed pharmacist in your state, you’ll also need a pharmacy license. Check with your state for licensing requirements. You’ll also need the following:

• Association of Boards of Pharmacy/National Council for Prescription Drug Programs (NABP/NCPDP) number
• Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) number and controlled substance registration
• National Provider Identifier (NPI) number

You’ll also be subject to state prescription drug monitoring programs. Failure to comply with licensing requirements and regulations can result in severe disciplinary actions. 

Federal regulations, licenses, and permits associated with starting your business include doing business as (DBA), health licenses and permits from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration ( OSHA ), trademarks, copyrights, patents, and other intellectual properties, as well as industry-specific licenses and permits. 

You may also need state-level and local county or city-based licenses and permits. The license requirements and how to obtain them vary, so check the websites of your state, city, and county governments or contact the appropriate person to learn more. 

You could also check this SBA guide for your state’s requirements, but we recommend using MyCorporation’s Business License Compliance Package . They will research the exact forms you need for your business and state and provide them to ensure you’re fully compliant.

This is not a step to be taken lightly, as failing to comply with legal requirements can result in hefty penalties.

If you feel overwhelmed by this step or don’t know how to begin, it might be a good idea to hire a professional to help you check all the legal boxes.

Step 9: Open a Business Bank Account

Before you start making money, you’ll need a place to keep it, and that requires opening a bank account .

Keeping your business finances separate from your personal account makes it easy to file taxes and track your company’s income, so it’s worth doing even if you’re running your pharmacy business as a sole proprietorship. Opening a business bank account is quite simple, and similar to opening a personal one. Most major banks offer accounts tailored for businesses — just inquire at your preferred bank to learn about their rates and features.

Banks vary in terms of offerings, so it’s a good idea to examine your options and select the best plan for you. Once you choose your bank, bring in your EIN (or Social Security Number if you decide on a sole proprietorship), articles of incorporation, and other legal documents and open your new account. 

Step 10: Get Business Insurance

Business insurance is an area that often gets overlooked yet it can be vital to your success as an entrepreneur. Insurance protects you from unexpected events that can have a devastating impact on your business.

Here are some types of insurance to consider:

• General liability: The most comprehensive type of insurance, acting as a catch-all for many business elements that require coverage. If you get just one kind of insurance, this is it. It even protects against bodily injury and property damage.
• Business Property: Provides coverage for your equipment and supplies.
• Equipment Breakdown Insurance: Covers the cost of replacing or repairing equipment that has broken due to mechanical issues.
• Worker’s compensation: Provides compensation to employees injured on the job.
• Property: Covers your physical space, whether it is a cart, storefront, or office.
• Commercial auto: Protection for your company-owned vehicle.
• Professional liability: Protects against claims from a client who says they suffered a loss due to an error or omission in your work.

Business owner’s policy (BOP): This is an insurance plan that acts as an all-in-one insurance policy, a combination of the above insurance types.

Step 11: Prepare to Launch

As opening day nears, prepare for launch by reviewing and improving some key elements of your business.

Essential software and tools

Being an entrepreneur often means wearing many hats, from marketing to sales to accounting, which can be overwhelming. Fortunately, many websites and digital tools are available to help simplify many business tasks. 

You may want to use industry-specific software, such as DATASCAN , EnterpriseRX , or Liberty , to manage your tasks, records, refills, billing, and payments.

• Popular web-based accounting programs for smaller businesses include Quickbooks , Freshbooks , and Xero . 
• If you’re unfamiliar with basic accounting, you may want to hire a professional, especially as you begin. The consequences for filing incorrect tax documents can be harsh, so accuracy is crucial.

Develop your website

Website development is crucial because your site is your online presence and needs to convince prospective clients of your expertise and professionalism.

You can create your own website using services like WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace . This route is very affordable, but figuring out how to build a website can be time-consuming. If you lack tech-savvy, you can hire a web designer or developer to create a custom website for your business.

They are unlikely to find your website, however, unless you follow Search Engine Optimization ( SEO ) practices. These are steps that help pages rank higher in the results of top search engines like Google. 

Starting a pharmacy business requires a well-thought-out marketing approach to attract and retain customers. In addition to creating a website and networking, here are some practical strategies to enhance your pharmacy’s visibility and success.

• Community Engagement: Actively participate in local events, health fairs, and sponsor community programs to build trust and awareness within your target market.
• Educational Workshops: Host workshops on health-related topics, offering valuable information to customers and positioning your pharmacy as a knowledgeable and trustworthy resource.
• ** Loyalty Programs:** Implement a customer loyalty program with discounts, rewards, or exclusive deals to encourage repeat business and foster customer loyalty.
• Collaborate with Healthcare Providers: Establish partnerships with local doctors, clinics, and hospitals to receive referrals and create a seamless healthcare experience for patients.
• Online Presence Optimization: Optimize your online presence through review platforms, ensuring positive customer reviews and responding promptly to any feedback or concerns.
• Health Screenings: Offer free or discounted health screenings in your pharmacy to attract foot traffic and demonstrate your commitment to community well-being.
• Personalized Marketing: Utilize customer data to personalize marketing efforts, such as targeted promotions or reminders for prescription refills, enhancing customer engagement.
• Branded Merchandise: Create branded merchandise like reusable bags or promotional items to increase brand visibility and encourage word-of-mouth marketing.
• Social Media Engagement: Leverage social media platforms to share health tips, promotions, and engage with the community, creating a dynamic online presence.
• Collaborate with Local Businesses: Partner with local businesses to cross-promote products or services, expanding your reach and attracting new customers from complementary industries.

Focus on USPs

Unique selling propositions, or USPs, are the characteristics of a product or service that set it apart from the competition. Customers today are inundated with buying options, so you’ll have a real advantage if they are able to quickly grasp how your pharmacy meets their needs or wishes. It’s wise to do all you can to ensure your USPs stand out on your website and in your marketing and promotional materials, stimulating buyer desire. 

Global pizza chain Domino’s is renowned for its USP: “Hot pizza in 30 minutes or less, guaranteed.” Signature USPs for your pharmacy business could be: 

• A neighborhood pharmacy for all your prescription needs
• More than medication – convenience, savings, and a warm welcome  
• Prescription medications, medical equipment, and supplies

You may not like to network or use personal connections for business gain. But your personal and professional networks likely offer considerable untapped business potential. Maybe that Facebook friend you met in college is now running a pharmacy business, or a LinkedIn contact of yours is connected to dozens of potential clients. Maybe your cousin or neighbor has been working in pharmacies for years and can offer invaluable insight and industry connections. 

The possibilities are endless, so it’s a good idea to review your personal and professional networks and reach out to those with possible links to or interest in pharmacies. You’ll probably generate new customers or find companies with which you could establish a partnership.

Step 12: Build Your Team

If you’re starting out small from a home office, you may not need any employees. But as your business grows, you will likely need workers to fill various roles. Potential positions for a pharmacy business include:

• Pharmacy Clerks – make sales, customer services
• Pharmacy Technicians – assisting with filling prescriptions
• General Manager – scheduling, ordering, accounting
• Marketing Lead – SEO strategies, social media

At some point, you may need to hire all of these positions or simply a few, depending on the size and needs of your business. You might also hire multiple workers for a single role or a single worker for multiple roles, again depending on need. Free-of-charge methods to recruit employees include posting ads on popular platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, or Jobs.com. You might also consider a premium recruitment option, such as advertising on Indeed , Glassdoor , or ZipRecruiter . Further, if you have the resources, you could consider hiring a recruitment agency to help you find talent.

Step 13: Run a Pharmacy – Start Making Money!

Owning a pharmacy can be very fulfilling. You’re helping your community and meeting a critical need for countless locals and families. Pharmacies are also a growing industry, which means this is a lucrative opportunity as well. If you have a passion for prescriptions, and for serving others, starting a pharmacy could be a brilliant entrepreneurial decision. 

You’ve now added business knowledge to your resume, so it’s time to get to work and launch your successful pharmacy!

• Pharmacy Business FAQs

Yes, pharmacies can be profitable. More importantly, though, a pharmacy serves the community in a valuable way, which can be much more rewarding than profit.

A Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree program requires at least two years of specific undergraduate college study followed by four academic years (or three calendar years) of professional pharmacy study. You can find continuing education opportunities on the National Community Pharmacists Association website. 

To create a pharmacy app, you’ll need to outline the desired features and functionality, work with app developers or development tools, ensure regulatory compliance, integrate secure payment options, and conduct thorough testing to ensure a smooth user experience.

Specialty pharmacies that focus on high-cost medications or niche therapeutic areas often have the potential to generate higher profits. However, the profitability of a pharmacy can also depend on factors like location, target market, and services offered.

Differentiate your pharmacy by focusing on personalized customer service, offering additional services like medication therapy management or health consultations, providing convenient online prescription refills and delivery options, and emphasizing a strong commitment to patient education and wellness programs.

Effective marketing strategies for a pharmacy include establishing an online presence through a professional website and social media channels, partnering with local healthcare providers for referrals, offering loyalty programs or discounts to attract and retain customers, conducting health screenings or informational events, and utilizing targeted advertising to reach specific demographics.

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• Decide if the Business Is Right for You
• Hone Your Idea
• Brainstorm a Pharmacy Name
• Create a Pharmacy Business Plan
• Register Your Business
• Register for Taxes
• Fund your Business
• Apply for Pharmacy Business Licenses and Permits
• Open a Business Bank Account
• Get Business Insurance
• Prepare to Launch
• Build Your Team
• Run a Pharmacy - Start Making Money!

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Retail Pharmacy Business Plan [Sample Template]

By: Author Tony Martins Ajaero

Home » Business ideas » Healthcare and Medical » Pharmacy

Are you about starting a pharmacy (chemist shop)? If YES, here’s a complete sample wholesale / retail pharmacy business plan template & feasibility report you can use for FREE.

Okay, so we have considered all the requirements for starting a retail pharmacy . We also took it further by analyzing and drafting a sample retail pharmacy marketing plan template backed up by actionable guerrilla marketing ideas for pharmacies. So let’s proceed to the business planning section.

Being in the pharmacy trade is a very good thing. This is because of the great returns on investment that is being guaranteed.

Starting a retail business is a very right step to take if you are looking to delve into the retail pharmacy business. It is important that you are a pharmacist ; this is so that you can get a proper hang of the business, as well as bring in your hands-on prowess into the venture.

A Sample Retail Pharmacy Business Plan Template

1. industry overview.

What really is the pharmaceutical business all about? The pharmaceutical industry is known for developing, producing, and marketing medicine (drugs). Retail pharmacy business is known to be involved in the sale (retailing) of generic or brand medications; some big pharmaceutical stores even engage in the sale of medical devices.

All over the world, the pharmaceutical industry is highly regulated. This is so because of the devastating effect of fake drugs and drug abuse which can’t be quantified. As a matter of fact, there are several universal laws and regulations that govern the patenting, testing, safety, efficacy and marketing of drugs.

For example; in the united states, new pharmaceutical products must be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as being both safe and effective before they can be allowed to go into the market. Any entrepreneur (investor) who has a plan of starting his or her own retail pharmacy business must comply with the Regulation of Retail Pharmacy Businesses that was passed into law in 2008.

Anyone who wants to establish a retail pharmacy business must follow the regulations that guides the sourcing, storage, sale, supply and keeping of records, in respect of medicinal products. Other requirements that they are expected to comply with are; requirements that relates to staff, premises, equipment and procedures are also stipulated.

No doubt retail pharmacy business is indeed a profitable industry; at the end of 2011, there were just over 23,100 independent retail pharmacies operating domestically.

For instance; in 2012 about 62,000 retail, mail and specialty pharmacies operating in America filled more than 4 billion prescriptions. As a matter of fact, in 2012 alone, statistics indicated that the total industry revenues was between $275 billion and $290 billion.

Statistics has it that global spending on prescription drugs grew to a whopping sum of $954 billion in 2011 and The United States accounts for more than a third of the global pharmaceutical market, with an estimate of $340 billion in annual sales.

It is on record that the retail pharmacy industry is growing at an annual rate of 1.6 percent. Retail pharmaceutical stores are amongst the top beneficiaries; they have experienced high sales growth in the first aid, eye care, sun care, smoking deterrent, foot care and home healthcare categories.

Over and above, the retail pharmacy industry is indeed a growing and a profitable industry and it is open to any aspiring investor (entrepreneur) to come in and establish his or her retail pharmacy outlet.

2. Executive Summary

Kingsley Greeno Retail Pharmacy Store will be located in one of the busiest streets in Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. We have been able to lease a facility for 5 years with the option of acquiring the property once the property is put up for sale.

The facility is well positioned and it matches the ideal picture of a community retail pharmacy store. We are not going to spend much to revamp the facility because before taking over the facility, it was used as a retail shop. Although the business is launching out with just one outlet, but we have plans to open other outlets in key locations around Baltimore, MD.

Kingsley Greeno retail pharmacy store will be involved in the retailing of prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs. We will also be involved in the sale of beauty products, cosmetic, postcards (greeting cards), convenience foods and other related products.

We are in retail pharmacy business to retail a wide range of pharmaceuticals for our customers, at the lowest prices they can get anywhere in Baltimore, MD. Our employees are well trained and qualified to handle the wide range of customers that we are positioned to serve. We will engage in the sale of prescriptions at reduced prices both at the counter and online order.

Kingsley Greeno Retail Pharmacy will operate a 24 hours, 7 days a week pharmaceutical store. We shall also have customers like; walk – in customers and mail order customers. Our work force is going to be well trained to operate within the framework of our company’s corporate culture and also to meet the needs of all our customers.

Kingsley Greeno Retail Pharmacy Store will ensure that all our customers are given first class treatment whenever they visit our shop.

We have a CRM software that will enable us manage a one on one relationship with our customers no matter how large the numbers of our customers’ base grows. We will ensure that we get our customers involved in the selection of brands that will be on our racks and also when make some business decisions.

Kingsley Greeno Retail Pharmacy Store is a family business that is owned and managed by Kinsley Greeno and Family. Mr. Kingsley Greeno is going to be the Chief Executive Officer of the business; he has a first Degree in Pharmacy and an MBA from Harvard University.

He has well over 10 years of experience working as a pharmacist with the United States’ government. His son who is an undergraduate is currently studying pharmacy, with the hope of taking over the family business when he (Mr. Greeno) retires.

3. Our Products and Services

Kingsley Greeno Retail Pharmacy Store will retail a wide range of prescription drugs from different manufacturing brands to customers who are based in Baltimore, MD. We also engage in the sale of beauty products, cosmetic, postcards (greeting cards), baby products, convenience foods and other related products (small scale medical equipment / instruments et al).

4. Our Mission and Vision Statement

• Our vision is to become the largest retail pharmacy store in the whole of Maryland, U.S.
• Our mission is to establish a first class retail pharmacy store that will make available a wide range of generic and branded prescription drugs from top pharmaceutical manufacturing brands at affordable prices to the residence of Baltimore, MD.

Our Business Structure

Kinsley Greeno Retail Pharmacy Store is a business that will be built on a solid foundation. From the outset, we have decided to recruit only qualified people to man various job positions in our organization. We are quite aware of the rules and regulations governing the pharmaceutical industry which is why we decided to recruit experienced and qualify employees as foundational staff of the organization.

We hope to leverage on their expertise to build our business. When hiring, we will look out for applicants that are not just qualified and experienced, but honest, customer centric and are ready to work to help us build a prosperous business that will benefit all the stakeholders (the owners, workforce, and customers).

As a matter of fact, profit-sharing arrangement will be made available to all our management staff and it will be based on their performance for a period of three years or more. This are the positions that will be available at Kingsley Greeno Retail Pharmacy Store;

• CEO (pharmacy owner, superintendent pharmacist and supervising pharmacist)
• Pharmacist (Manager)

Merchandize Manager

• Pharmacist technician (3)
• Information Technologist (Contract)
• Sales agents (3)
• Cashier (Counter Agent).

5. Job Roles and Responsibilities

Chief Executive Officer – CEO:

• Responsible for providing direction for the business
• Creates, communicates, and implements the organization’s vision, mission, and overall direction – i.e. leading the development and implementation of the overall organization’s strategy.
• Responsible for fixing prices and signing business deals
• Responsible for recruitment
• Responsible for payment of salaries
• Responsible for signing checks and documents on behalf of the company
• Evaluates the success of the organization

  Pharmacist (Manager):

• Responsible for managing the daily activities in the restaurant
• provides advice about health issues, symptoms and medications in response to customer enquiries
• recruits, trains and manages staff
• processes prescriptions and dispensing medication
• orders, sells and controls medicines and other stock
• meets medical representatives
• manages budgets
• keeps statistical and financial records
• prepares publicity materials and displays
• markets services
• Interfaces with third – party providers (vendors)
• Controls the sales floor inventory
• Supervises the entire sales staff and workforce
• Any other duty as assigned by the CEO
• Manages vendor relations, market visits, and the ongoing education and development of the organizations’ buying teams
• Helps to ensure consistent quality of drugs and products on our rack
• Responsible for the purchase of goods and products for the organizations
• Responsible for planning sales, monitoring inventory, selecting the merchandise, and writing and pricing orders to vendors
• Ensures that the organization operates within stipulated budget.

Pharmacy Technician

• Ensures that the store facility is in tip top shape and conducive enough to welcome customers (This includes turning on equipment such as computers, scales, printers and fax machines)
• Ensures that goods and products are properly arranged
• Responsible for processing prescriptions
• Responsible for sterilizing the counter tops, scales, pill counting trays, and other medication measuring devices.
• Handles administrative and bookkeeping tasks, inventory control, stocking shelves, and data entry
• Performs monthly inventory counts, file paperwork, and stock inventory
• Handles any other duty as assigned by the floor manager (Pharmacist)

Sales Agents

• Manages external research and coordinate all the internal sources of information to retain the organizations’ best customers and attract new ones
• Models demographic information and analyze the volumes of transactional data generated by customer purchases
• Sources for clients for the company
• Responsible for promoting the company’s image
• Responsible for creating marketing and sales strategies, etc.
• Represents the organization in some strategic business meetings

Information Technologist

• Manages the organization website
• Handles ecommerce aspect of the business
• Responsible for installing and maintenance of computer software and hardware for the organization
• Manage logistics and supply chain software, Web servers, e-commerce software and POS (point of sale) systems
• Manage the organization’s CCTV
• Handles any other technological and IT related duties.

Cashier (Counter Agent):

• Receives payments on behalf of the organization
• Issues receipt to customers
• Prepare financial report at the end of every working week
• Handles financial transaction on behalf of the company
• Interfaces with our bankers
• Responsible for payment of tax, levies and utility bills
• Responsible for cleaning the pharmacy facility at all times
• Ensures that toiletries and supplies don’t run out of stock
• Cleans both the interior and exterior of the pharmacy facility
• Handle any other duty as assigned by the floor manager (Pharmacist)

6. SWOT Analysis

Kingsley Greeno Retail Pharmacy Store is not looking forward to operate a regular retail pharmacy store, because we want to become the biggest retail community pharmacy in Baltimore. We want our pharmacy to be the number one choice of all residence of Baltimore.

We know that if we are going to achieve the goals that we have set for our business, then we must ensure that we build our business on a solid foundation. We must ensure that we follow due process in setting up our retail pharmacy store.

Despite the fact that our CEO (owner) has a robust experience in retail pharmacy business, we still went ahead to hire the services of business consultants that are specialized in setting up new businesses to help our organization conduct detailed SWOT analysis and to also provide professional support in helping us structure our business. This is the summary of the SWOT analysis that was conducted for Kingsley Greeno Retail Pharmacy Store;

Our location is one of our strength. The Business model we will be operating on (physical store and online store) will be opened for 24 hours daily and 7 days in a week. There would be multiple payment options; wide range of prescription drugs, home delivery services and our excellent customer service culture will definitely count as a strong strength for us.

Our perceived weakness is the fact that we are just starting out and we may not have the required finance to sustain the kind of publicity that we intend giving the business.

• Opportunities:

The opportunities that are available to retail pharmacy business is unlimited and we are going to position our business to make the best out of the opportunities that will be available to us in Baltimore, MD.

Just like any other retail business, one of the major threats that we are likely going to face is economic downturn and unfavorable government policies (healthcare reform). It is a fact that economic downturn affects purchasing power. Another threat that may likely confront us is the arrival of a new retail pharmacy outlet in same location where ours is located (Baltimore, MD.).

7. MARKET ANALYSIS

• Market Trends

The market trend in retail pharmacy industry is directly influenced by a country’s healthcare reform policies. The fact that the pharmaceutical industry is highly regulated means that any entrepreneur who wants to run a retail pharmacy store must be ready to play by the book.

Loads of other factors influences the market trend in the industry and it is normal to see bigger retail pharmacy stores (especially those with chains of outlets) weathering the storm whenever there are major shaking in the industry. In essence, the easiest way to build a solid and highly profitable retail pharmacy business is to engage in opening various outlets in key cities around the U.S. and the

No doubt the industry will continue to grow and become more profitable because the aging baby-boomer generation in United States are expected to drive increasing demand for prescription drugs.

Retail Pharmacies are now making use of technology to effectively manage their business by plugging financial leakages which happens to be one of the biggest challenges that retail businesses faces. The use of technology, i.e. CRM software et al are very effective in helping retail businesses manage their clientele base.

8. Our Target Market

Kingsley Greeno Retail Pharmacy Store is in business to service a wide range of customers in Baltimore, Maryland. We will ensure that we target self – pay customers (who do not have drug plans), mail order customers, and walk in customers et al.

The fact that we are going to open our doors to a wide range of customers does not in any way stop us from demanding and screening prescriptions as required by the law. Our staff are trained to effectively service our customers and still play by the rules governing the industry. Our customers can be categorized into the following;

• Corporate Executives
• Business People
• Elderly people
• Expectant Mothers
• Sports Men and Women

Our Competitive Advantage

The retail pharmacy industry is known to be highly competitive in the U.S and in most parts of the world. The industry is growing and there are alternative ways through which clients / patients can get their medications / prescriptions / drugs.

There are alternative provides like mail-order firms, grocery chains, mass merchants and dollar stores; these are the real competitors in the industry. These competitors ensures that they do all that lies within their powers to gain favorable market share of the available market in any given region.

It is a fact that small retail pharmacy stores will always struggle with larger pharmacy chains when it comes to pricing power and brand recognition, which is why smaller retail pharmacy store always go out of their ways to deliver excellent customer service. It is through top notch customer service that they can secure a fair share of the available market.

Smaller retail pharmacies ensures that each order carries a printout. The printout accompany the medications providing directions on how patient are expected to take the medications, other drugs that should be avoided concurrently, and other useful information.

Kingsley Greeno Retail Pharmacy Store is coming into the market well prepared to favorably compete in the industry. Our pharmacy is well positioned and visible, we have enough parking space with good security. Our management staff are well groomed in retail pharmacy and all our employees are trained to provide customized customer service to all our clients.

We are going to be one of the few retail pharmacies in Baltimore that will be opened 24 hours a week and 7 days a week. We have enough staff that are ready to run a shift system. Kingsley Greeno Retail Pharmacy we will ensure that we have a wide range of products (prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs.

We will also be involved in the sale of beauty products, cosmetic, postcards (greeting cards), convenience foods and other related products) available in our store at all times. It will be difficult for customers to visit our store and not see the product that they are looking for. One of our business goals is to make our pharmacy a one stop pharmacy shop.

9. SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGY

• Sources of Income

Our source of income will be majorly in the retailing of prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs. Kingsley Greeno Retail Pharmacy will also generate income from the sale of beauty products, cosmetic, postcards (greeting cards), convenience foods and other related products.

10. Sales Forecast

It is important to state that our sales forecast is based on the data gathered during our feasibility studies, market survey and also some of the assumptions readily available on the field.. Below are the sales projections that we were able to come up with for the first three years of operations;

• First Year-: $200,000 (From Walk – in customers) + $250,000 (From Mail Order customers)
• Second Year-: $450,000 (From Walk – in customers) + $470,000 (From Mail Order customers)
• Third Year-: $700,000 (From Walk – in customers) + $800,000 (From Mail Order customers)

N.B : This projection is done based on what is obtainable in the industry and with the assumption that there won’t be any major economic meltdown and natural disasters within the period stated above. Please note that the above projection might be lower and at the same time it might be higher.

• Marketing Strategy and Sales Strategy

The marketing and sales strategy of Kingsley Greeno Retail Pharmacy Store will be based on generating long-term personalized relationships with customers.

In order to achieve that, we will ensure that we offer medications at lower prices, compared to what is obtainable in Baltimore. We will also ensure that we have a wide range of drug supplies in stock for both quick shipment and storefront pick up.

All our employees will be well trained and equipped to provide excellent and knowledgeable customer service. We know that if we are consistent with offering high quality drugs and excellent customer service we will increase the number of our customers by more than 25% for the first year and then more than 30 percent subsequently.

Before choosing a location for our pharmacy store, we conducted a thorough market survey and feasibility studies in order for us to be able to be able to penetrate the available market and become the preferred choice for residence of Baltimore, MD.

We have detailed information and data that we were able to utilize to structure our business to attract the numbers of customers we want to attract per time.

We hired experts who have good understanding of the retail industry to help us develop marketing strategies that will help us achieve our business goal of winning a larger percentage of the available market in Baltimore, Maryland. In summary, Kingsley Greeno Retail Pharmacy Store will adopt the following sales and marketing approach to win customers over;

• Introduce our business by sending introductory letters to residence, business owners and organizations
• Advertise our business in community based newspapers, local TV and radio stations
• List our business on yellow pages ads
• Leverage on the internet to promote our business
• Direct marketing
• Word of mouth marketing (referrals)
• Enter into business partnership with hospitals, healthcare provider and health insurance companies.
• Attend pharmaceutical related exhibitions / expos.

11. Publicity and Advertising Strategy

Regardless of the fact that our retail pharmacy store is well located in Baltimore, MD., we will still go ahead to intensify publicity for the business. We are going to explore all available conventional and non – conventional means to promote our retail business.

Kingsley Greeno Retail Pharmacy Store has a long term plan of opening outlets in various locations all around Maryland which is why we will deliberately build our brand to be well accepted in Baltimore before venturing out.

As a matter of fact, our publicity and advertising strategy is not solely for winning customers over but to effectively communicate our brand to the general public. Here are the platforms we intend leveraging on to promote and advertise Kinsley Greeno Retail Pharmacy Store;

• Place adverts on both print (community based newspapers and magazines) and electronic media platforms
• Sponsor relevant community programs
• Leverage on the internet and social media platforms like; Instagram, Facebook , twitter, et al to promote our brand
• Install our BillBoards on strategic locations all around Baltimore, MD.
• Engage in road show from time to time
• Distribute our fliers and handbills in target areas
• Position our Flexi Banners at strategic positions in the location where our retail store is located.

12. Our Pricing Strategy

Kingsley Greeno Retail Pharmacy Store will work towards ensuring that all our products (prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs and beauty products, cosmetic, postcards (greeting cards), convenience foods and other related products) are offered at highly competitive prices compare to what is obtainable in Baltimore.

The fact that we are going to be offering our products at cheaper prices does not in any way means that we will sell sub – standard goods. Selling our products at a lower price than what is obtainable in our competitors store means that we will only reduce our profit margin.

• Payment Options

At Kingsley Greeno Retail Pharmacy Store, our payment policy is all inclusive because we are quite aware that different people prefer different payment options as it suits them. Here are the payment options that will be available in every of our outlets;

• Payment by cash
• Payment via Point of Sale (POS) Machine
• Payment via online bank transfer (online payment portal)
• Payment via Mobile money
• Check (only from loyal customers)

In view of the above, we have chosen banking platforms that will help us achieve our payment plans without any itches.

13. Startup Expenditure (Budget)

This is the key areas where we will spend our start – up capital on;

• The Total Fee for Registering the Business in Maryland – $750.
• Legal expenses for obtaining licenses and permits- $1,500.
• Marketing promotion expenses for the grand opening of People’s Choice Retail Store in the amount of $3,500 and as well as flyer printing (2,000 flyers at $0.04 per copy) for the total amount of $3,580.
• Cost for hiring Consultant – $2,500.
• Cost for Computer Software (Accounting Software, Payroll Software, CRM Software, Microsoft Office, QuickBooks Pro, drug interaction software, Physician Desk Reference software) – $7,000
• Insurance (general liability, workers’ compensation and property casualty) coverage at a total premium – $3,400.
• Cost for payment of rent for 12 month at $1.76 per square feet in the total amount of $105,600.
• Cost for Shop remodeling (construction of racks and shelves) – $20,000.
• Other start-up expenses including stationery ($500) and phone and utility deposits ($2,500).
• Operational cost for the first 3 months (salaries of employees, payments of bills et al) – $100,000
• The cost for Start-up inventory (stocking with a wide range of products) – $150,000
• Storage hardware (bins, rack, shelves,) – $3,720
• The cost for counter area equipment (counter top, sink, ice machine, etc.) – $9,500
• Cost for Supplies (Assorted bottles, boxes, envelopes, etc. for dispensing and shipment)- $3,000
• Cost for store equipment (cash register, security, ventilation, signage) – $13,750
• Cost of purchase and installation of CCTVs: $7,000
• The cost for the purchase of furniture and gadgets (Computers, Printers, Telephone, TVs, tables and chairs et al): $4,000.
• The cost of Launching a Website: $700
• The cost for our opening party: $7,000
• Miscellaneous: $10,000

We would need an estimate of $500,000 to successfully set up our retail pharmacy store in Baltimore, MD. Please note that this amount includes the salaries of all the staff for the first month of operation.

Generating Funding / Startup Capital

Kingsley Greeno Retail Pharmacy Store is a private business that is solely owned and financed by Kingsley Greeno and family.

They do not intend to welcome any external business partners which is why he has decided to restrict the sourcing of the start – up capital to 3 major sources. These are the areas Kingsley Greeno Retail Pharmacy Store intends to generate our start – up capital;

• Generate part of the start – up capital from personal savings
• Source for soft loans from family members and friends
• Apply for loan from my Bank

N.B: We have been able to generate about $200,000 (Personal savings $150,000 and soft loan from family members $50,000) and we are at the final stages of obtaining a loan facility of $300,000 from our bank. All the papers and document have been signed and submitted, the loan has been approved and any moment from now our account will be credited with the amount.

14. Sustainability and Expansion Strategy

The future of a business lies in the numbers of loyal customers that they have the capacity and competence of the employees, their investment strategy and the business structure. If all of these factors are missing from a business (company), then it may not be too long before the business closes shop.

One of our major goals of starting Kingsley Greeno Retail Pharmacy Store is to build a business that will survive off its own cash flow without the need for injecting finance from external sources once the business is officially running. We know that one of the ways of gaining approval and winning customers over is to sell our product a little bit cheaper than what is obtainable in the market and we are well prepared to survive on lower profit margin.

Kingsley Greeno Retail Pharmacy Store will make sure that the right foundation, structures and processes are put in place to ensure that our staff welfare are well taken of. Our company’s corporate culture is designed to drive our business to greater heights and training and retraining of our workforce is at the top burner.

As a matter of fact, profit-sharing arrangement will be made available to all our management staff and it will be based on their performance for a period of three years or more. We know that if that is put in place, we will be able to successfully hire and retain the best hands we can get in the industry; they will be more committed to help us build the business of our dreams.

Check List / Milestone

• Business Name Availability Check:>Completed
• Business Registration: Completed
• Opening of Corporate Bank Accounts: Completed
• Securing Point of Sales (POS) Machines: Completed
• Opening Mobile Money Accounts: Completed
• Opening Online Payment Platforms: Completed
• Application and Obtaining Tax Payer’s ID: In Progress
• Application for business license and permit: Completed
• Purchase of Insurance for the Business: Completed
• Leasing of facility and remodeling the shop: In Progress
• Conducting Feasibility Studies: Completed
• Generating capital from family members: Completed
• Applications for Loan from the bank: In Progress
• writing of business plan: Completed
• Drafting of Employee’s Handbook: Completed
• Drafting of Contract Documents and other relevant Legal Documents: In Progress
• Design of The Company’s Logo: Completed
• Graphic Designs and Printing of Packaging Marketing / Promotional Materials: In Progress
• Recruitment of employees: In Progress
• Purchase of the Needed furniture, racks, shelves, computers, electronic appliances, office appliances and CCTV: In progress
• Creating Official Website for the Company: In Progress
• Creating Awareness for the business both online and around the community: In Progress
• Health and Safety and Fire Safety Arrangement (License): Secured
• Opening party / launching party planning: In Progress
• Compilation of our list of products that will be available in our pharmacy store: Completed
• Establishing business relationship with vendors (wholesale pharmaceutical companies): In Progress

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• Purchase History

Pharmacy Business Plan Template

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What You Get in Your Pharmacy Business Plan Package

• A compelling & detailed pre-written Pharmacy business plan template in WORD
• A full & automatic Pharmacy financial plan model in EXCEL you can easily customize
• Customized text tailored to the Pharmacy & Drug Store business
• The ability to paste advanced charts and tables within a click
• No accounting or specialized financial knowledge needed

Pharmacy Business Plan Template Description

Our Pharmacy business plan package is all you need to create a solid, detailed and compelling business plan for your upcoming Pharmacy or Drug Store project. Whether you need a business plan for internal and execution purpose only or whether you need a business plan in order to engage with potential investors and other financial sponsors, a Pharmacy business plan is a must to help you successfully launch your venture. Check below the content of your ready-made Pharmacy business plan package, it is guaranteed to save you time and money.

Pharmacy Business Plan Document in Word

Our ready-made Pharmacy business plan template is in Word format and includes 22 pages. The document is divided into multiple sections. Each section contains the essential points that are necessary to effectively present your Pharmacy project. Each section and sub-section offers you a sample text that you can easily customize to make your business plan unique. Below is a small excerpt of our pre-written Pharmacy business plan.

Pharmacy Automatic Financial Plan in Excel

Our pre-populated financial model is in Excel format and includes multiples worksheets. You can easily edit the model’s inputs including changing costs and revenue assumptions to generate pro-forma financial forecasts including P&L, Cash flows and Balance Sheets. Below is a small extract of our automatic Pharmacy financial plan.

This Ready-Made Pharmacy Business Plan is For

• Entrepreneurs wishing to start a Pharmacy business
• Aspiring Pharmacists and drug store owners who want to create a business plan fast & easy
• Pharmaceutical retail Entrepreneurs who wish to pitch their project to investors
• Pharmacists or investors who wish to better understand the potential of the opportunity

Immediate Delivery by Email

• Once you complete the order, you will receive an email with links to download your documents
• Your order will contain the full pre-written business plan in Word
• Your order will contain the full customizable financial model in Excel

Your Pharmacy Business Plan Content

Executive Summary:  Our Pharmacy business plan template starts with a compelling Executive Summary. This key section is very important as it summarizes in 1 page your Pharmacy project. It will introduce your business model, the key people behind the project as well as the unique selling proposition offered by your Pharmacy project. This section will also mention how market conditions and consumer trends are favorable for launching your project.

The Problem Opportunity: Next, your ready-made Pharmacy business plan will list a number of problems experienced by your prospects in your target market and will show how this presents a unique opportunity for your Pharmaceutical Retail business. These can include issues such as lack of a particular type of Pharmacies in a certain location, low or average product quality offered by existing players, undifferentiated offering by current actors in the market…etc.

The Solution: This section explains how your Pharmacy will take advantage of the current problems in the market and will detail your innovative solution.

Mission & Vision: Your mission will explain in a couple of sentences your Pharmacy’s business ethos. In other words, it will summarize your unique value proposition and will explain how you are different than the competition. Your vision will explain the long-term plans for your Pharmacy project. Are you planning to start with one branch today and expand into a multi-branch business model? Are you looking to transform your Pharmacy business into a franchise model?…etc.

Business Model:  This section details your Pharmacy concept using the business model canvas method. In a visually appealing table, we will detail your Pharmacy’s key partners, activities, resources, value proposition, customer segments, customer relationship plan, marketing channels, cost structure and revenue streams.

Products & Services:  Next, we will talk in detail about your various products and services. We will describe your various types of OTC drugs, prescription drugs, medical devices and other offerings…etc. We will also provide information about your pricing and expected margins.

Market Analysis: This important section describes the various market statistics and consumer trends in the Pharmaceutical Retail industry and explains how they support your own business. The purpose of this section is to show that the market conditions are favorable for launching your new Pharmacy concept.

Global Market Trends:  In this sub-section of the market analysis, we will discuss the latest global market trends in the Pharmaceutical Retail industry. We will look at the global industry size, growth rate, growth diving factors and consumer trends.

Local Market Trends: This sub-section explains the local market trends that are relevant to your specific Pharmacy in your specific area of operation.

Target Customers:  In this section, we will describe your various customer profiles by providing information about their demographics, behavior and purchasing habits.

Competitive Analysis:  We will analyze key competitors active in your target market and provide insights about their strengths and weaknesses.

Competitive Advantages:  After looking at the competitive landscape, we will then show how your Pharmacy is differentiating itself from the competition through a number of key advantages.

SWOT Analysis:  This section features a 4-quadrant table with explanations about how your Pharmacy intends to leverage its key strengths, mitigate weaknesses, capture opportunities and thwart any future threats.

Marketing Plan : This chapter provides detailed information about your go-to-market strategy. It includes a detailed action plan to help you build brand awareness and generate sales.

Branding & Awareness:  We will describe in this sub-section your choice of key marketing channels to build branding and awareness.

Customer Acquisition:  We will describe in this sub-section your choice of key marketing channels to acquire customers and increase sales.

Operating Plan:  This chapter provides information about your Pharmacy’s opening hours, internal processes and describes the interactions between various key departments and teams.

Management Team:  It is very important to present the key people behind your Pharmacy project and thus we have dedicated a section for this very purpose. It is also important to talk here about the founder’s vision, his past education and professional experience.

Hiring Plan:  No business can succeed without having on board the right team. This section lists all the key positions you plan to hire with information about their salaries and expected start dates.

Key Milestones:  To be able to launch and execute your Pharmacy project, you need to follow a set of actionable tasks with target deadlines. This section serves this purpose.

Financial Plan: Without a robust financial plan, your Pharmacy business plan would be an incomplete document. This important section provides crucial information about your pro-forma financial projections and shows that you have really done your homework. The data mentioned in this, and the following sections, will be provided by the dynamic and automatic Excel financial model accompanying your Pharmacy business plan.

Projected Revenue:  This module shows your Pharmacy’s revenue projections over the next three years.

Projected Profit and Loss:  This module shows your Pharmacy’s income statement (also called profit and loss statement) over the next three years. Your income statement includes detailed projections about your sales and expenses and shows how your Pharmacy’s revenue is converted into a net profit.

Projected Cash Flows:  This module shows your Pharmacy’s cash flow projections over the next three years. The first year of operation is even detailed on a monthly basis. Your cash flow statement will detail the various cash inflows your Pharmacy will generate from its day to day operations and from funding sources, as well as the various cash outflows required to pay for operating expenses and business investments.

Projected Balance Sheet : This module shows your Pharmacy’s balance sheet projections over the next three years. The balance sheet will provide a summary of your Pharmacy’s short term and long term assets in addition to your short term and long term liabilities, and capital.

Profitability Analysis:  In this section, we will provide information about your gross margin, net margin and discuss the profitability of your Pharmacy business.

Funding Requirement:  This module states the amount of funding your need to be able to comfortably launch your Pharmacy business. It also describes the planned allocation of the funds between Opex and Capex.

Conclusion : Finally, we will conclude your business plan by recapitulating the key points that make your Pharmacy project compelling and reiterate the rationale behind your business opportunity.

Why Use our Ready-Made Pharmacy Business Plan?

• Speed & Convenience:  Once you complete your order, you will receive the Pharmacy business plan directly in your mailbox. Since it is already pre-written with fully customizable automatic financials, you will only need to spend a couple of hours to edit it and adapt it to your own project.
• High Quality:  Your Pharmacy business plan has been written by our professional team of business plan writers and experts from the Pharmaceutical retail industry. You will receive a professional Pharmacy business plan template ideal for presenting to potential investors or banks.
• Low-Cost:  Our pre-written Pharmacy business plan template is the most cost-effective solution in case you need to build a solid and professional Pharmacy business plan. We are confident you will save hundreds if not thousands of dollars by ordering our premium business plan compared to hiring a consultant or subscribing to complicated and expensive software.

If you have any question regarding our ready-made Pharmacy business plan package,  do not hesitate to contact us , we are here to help.

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Pharmacy Business Plan Sample

APR.29, 2017

When someone is found doing workouts at home how to start a pharmacy, he must need relevant information, charts, table of content, independent pharmacy business plans, pharmacy business plan as well as few sample templates for pharmacy business branding. So, the entire business plans for pharmacy must include the most important points which must be well covered to start pharmacy business in full fledged.

Pharmacies must have stock of the best medications, and valuable healthcare accessories including sanitary pads, contraceptive pills and many more. Be modern and try to design a good pharmacy marketing plan before going for investment of financial resources in the industry. Get more new pharmacy business plan ideas from different sources.

Diseases, infections and virus attacks are very dangerous to shorten up the span of life of a guy. So, medications are needed to remove injuries, reinforce the immune system and increase the life expectancy to a great extent. For this reason, pharmaceutical agencies and drug manufacturing companies supply new drugs to people to resist the diseases in advance. Pharmacy business is really lucrative and profitable to an entrepreneur. Drugs are needed in hospitals, clinics, healthcare centers and in residential houses for preventive care.

Drugs are used to cure feeble patients. Children need a number of boosters and antibiotic shots to overtake a number of complicated health hazards. In large scale, medications and potions for patients are required in hospitals. Therefore, pharmacies have the jobs of selling drugs to customers. As an entrepreneur you can also start a small pharmacy or drug store in your locality. Sample pharmacy business plans and template will guide you. We, at OGSCapital, help you with this. Our executives have all the expertise for helping you to develop an appropriate strategy to fulfill your all objectives. If you wish to initiate the process, you just need to fill a contact form.

Choose Top Pharmacy Business Plans to Start Pharmacy Successfully

Well, are you a pharmacist to have licenses for running pharmacies in any town? This question is asked by many enthusiasts who are eager to know whether anyone has the permission to open a local drug store in the vicinity. Certainly, opening local drug stores, you must have an experienced pharmacist to check the prescribed drug lists. Pharmacists have the ability to read the prescriptions and identify the drugs at a first glance. His expertise in prescription reading, drug list checking and familiarity with new drugs helps the vendor to sell drugs comfortably.

If you are not a pharmacist, you need a specialist to hire in the case of inaugurating pharmacy in any popular area. He will help you to read prescriptions, handpick particular medications and understand the medical terms. Drug manufacturing companies in America have to sell only FDA approved medications. They must get authentic papers, citations and drug selling licenses from FDA as well American government.

Therefore, be familiar with local rules to starting a retail pharmacy business plan commercially. Go through a top sample pharmacy business plan and free template for more information.

Basic Requirements to Start Pharmacy Business

• A complete retail pharmacy business plan
• A preliminary financial budget
• Specific site for posting retail pharmacy business plans
• A specialist/experienced pharmacy
• Good stock of new drugs in
• Healthcare accessories like sanitary pads
• Basic amenities like refrigerators, electricity, water and good air vents
• Pharmacy needs to have a site for industry promotion
• Site map with a sample Pharma business plan as well as template
• Information brochures
• Medical aids kits to supply
• Initial affordable drug selling packages to attract customers to have drugs at low price
• Free quotes to do comprehensive studies for opening up a pharmacy.

Understand the Innovation in Pharmacy Business

Pharmacies must not be dirty and poorly managed. Expensive drugs should be stored in safer place which is much more eco-friendly. Heat, fire, rain water and bacteria destroy life saving drugs. The drug store should have excellent air ventilation, clean ambience, least toxins inside the shop and soothing ambience. Refrigerators keep stored medications in good condition.

Internet browsing is not harmful. So, regular data checking must stand you in good stead. The more you research the more you will get new ideas to launch a compact pharmacy business project with bright expectation to have excellent returns. Initially, as a newbie, your ability to design a pharmacy business plan must be limited. You are an educated person with enthusiasm to stand resilient financially. You went for getting advices from seniors to open pharmacies.

Maybe you have had dream of becoming a good pharmacist with your own outlet to sell qualitative drugs. Fake and spurious medications, potions and medical aids are destructive. These fake drug dealers must be punished. In the open market, low quality, sub-standard medications and expired healthcare tonics are sold at low prices. Therefore, every year, the death toll increases due to the exposure to the drug adulteration. Perhaps you have the setback or previous caustic experience. Someone might have died due to consumption of bad drugs. Your dream must be fulfilled.

Online planners in pharmaceutical industry have pre-designed samples, fact sheets, research papers and documents to train newcomers. Novice financers have no industry expansion ideas. Especially pharmacies are different projects to highlight. Drug is the most valuable product as it saves lives. So, definitely lot of care is needed to run pharmacies or drug stores in the city. What type of pharmacy business do you need to opt for? Basically, drug retailers, individual sellers and small size company partners like to have free consultation before establishing a start-up drug store in any known area. The advantages of opening drug stores or local pharmacies in the residential areas include

• Known ambience
• Good familiarity with local citizens
• Be accustomed to local administration
• Good relationship with doctors, patients and oldies
• Easy to find customers
• Better options to enlarge pharmacy business in the home town

However, most probably, you are trapped because you must struggle to find more genuine options to expand your drug stores to have lot of money. So, geographical barrier must not be a problem. Often, it is a lucrative business for you in case you have the plan and templates to take your drug store to backcountry. There are not many drug stores. Competition is low. You can buy and sell expensive drugs to rich persons. Poor people will get affordable medications from your shop.

So, it is good business to manage in the rural areas. However, drug stores in cities are always dazzling in vanity. The buying strength of local people is obviously higher. City based pharmacies are equipped with modern infrastructures. In villages, poor people are not able to buy costly drugs. The availability of sumptuous medical aids packages is also not good in rural belts. Urban areas are developed. Therefore, locate the place and start evaluation. Pros and cons must be checked before deciding to deal with pharmaceutical industry. Retail pharmacy business plan writers are also helpful to people to have guidance in designing the independent plan for starting retail drug store business plan .

Brand medications are not cheaper. These drugs have qualitative components used by manufacturers to produce standard medications in the market. The effect of intake of brand medications is really awesome to help patients to avoid disaster. Doctors prescribe brand medications. Great. Well, one of the best ways to sell brand medications is to find the high profile class. Online ventures must bring a new customer to you. This is a different industry for entrepreneur as there is little chance to meet vendors face to face.

Customers hit the online sites to check the pharmacies for buying the branded drugs recommended by experts. All are not financially sound to buy brand drugs. Pack of Viagra (branded) costs a customer around $1000. Or a pack of 60 pills of Soma is equivalent to $400 inclusive of overnight shipment cost. So, economical buyers find generic medications which are affordable to some extent. Therefore, your drug stores must have both branded medications for the rich and generic medications for the economical class.

It will be a strategy to win customers by providing alternative medication buying option. Generic medications are cheap and components used in manufacturing these affordable drugs are not low in quality. The impact of consumption of generic medications is equal to the effect experienced by a person who takes brand medications. Retail pharmacy business plan writer has many ideas/ template to precise the process of industry inauguration smoothly.

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Discount Pharmacies

In the pharmaceutical industry, scientific probing, research and deep analysis are inseparable. Scientists in the medical arena are trying to invent more cost efficient products which must be vehicles for economical customers to save money. Pharmacists will emulate new technologies to increase the cost effectiveness and quality of the drugs. So, doctors, scientists and pharmacists are closely connected for making a convenient customer support portal for better drug supply at low cost. Discount pharmacies are byproduct of the innovative thoughts nurtured by experts.

The collaborative venture in the pharmaceutical industry has made a strong platform for pharmacy business owners to sell affordable medications at discounts. Customers get promotional codes on different types of generic medications. It is much more cost efficient. It is much affordable to a young guy. Result is also same. So as a pharmacist, offer your customers what you have in stock. Discount pharmacies are the places for buying cheap generic medications. Brick and mortar discount drug stores reduce the cost of buying valuable medications.

Well, think whether you are fitted to drug selling industry. A discount drug store needs to have only cheap medications which must be good. Customers will get their drugs by showcasing prescriptions. Now, tailor a business plan identifying the trend in the market. You have handful options to use. As a local guy, you can apply for loan for industry running. Banks will give you support to invest in the pharmaceutical industry.

Next steps include the easy refinancing, recruitment of competent employees, assistants , the availability of good medications at discounts and drug safety programs to minimize the threat. People need proper medical assistance from a vendor. As being a professional pharmacist, it is your concern to prioritize the table work/ground work to inaugurate the drug store in your residential area. Innovation can’t be stopped. Americans are habituated to consume sleeping pills, anti-anxiety drugs and self-boosting capsules to have energy in excess.

They are fast, sophisticated and crazy to travel for exploration. Well, most of American customers are seen buying drugs from online pharmacies which offer discounts. These online discount pharmacies assist busy Americans to have affordable qualitative medications at considerably cheap prices. So, you must have a compatible optimized online shop with an inventory storing only new drugs/ prescribed medications/non prescription medications at discounts. The local stores for drug selling are not permitted to sell non prescription drugs.

They need prescriptions. However, comparatively online pharmacies have good options to help customers to purchase non prescription drugs. Customers don’t need to send the scanned photocopies of prescriptions to pharmacists to buy packet of Soma or Viagra. Buy medications from vendors at any point of time. So, if you want to modernize your retail drug store, design an affordable business plan to start selling generic medications at discount drug stores without putting a band of legal obligation. The online pharmacy is not a local departmental store.

Customers don’t need to visit the store for product purchasing. The virtual shopping cart or pharmacy is actually run through internet. Its customers place orders at the shopping cart and complete transactions instantly. Vendors are liable to ship products to the customers. Now you must have a site which supports mobile phones, computers and different smart devices. Consumers will cross check list of drugs available in their areas. You have a group of employees who manage customers online. Usually, online pharmacies have no go-down or small warehouses.

They are professional and hire moving companies for product shipment. It is a chain for drug supplying. No manual paperwork is conducted. Nor is there any option for meeting customers physically. So, the whole transaction is done via internet. E-commerce infrastructure is easy to operate. This marketing strategy is extensive to help local traders to go for vast venture to reach million customers on a single go. Around $829 billion is invested in global pharmacy business. So, this opportunity is also open to you to have scum of the profits to upgrade your own life.

Online discount pharmacy is open regularly round the clock. Customers from different locations hit the online drug store and buy medications. Prices of these lifesaving drugs, sanitary pads, healthcare pills and antibiotic pills are affordable. Discounts of these medications are attractive to impress economical class. Like Rite Aid, you can also have a chain meds service to bring more fluent drug delivery options to customers. Give individualized service by keeping personal records of patients after clearing transactions.

In future, if the customers have allergies or infections, try to avoid supplying medications which are not prescribed. Besides, help them to choose the prefect meds from the inventory. Unlike local drug store, online discount pharmacies have multi channels to get customers. If you have licenses or permit to export medications to market abroad, strategy vastly. Then, you are also a good exporter with permits to deal with overseas clients. Online platform for medication selling is now modernized.

The shopping carts online must have fast content management, instant credit checking while making payment, quick transactions and free registration. The prescription refill process must be fast and easy. On the other side, the non prescription generic or brand medications should be supplied to have more positive visitors to hit your e-commerce website.

So, you will also have lot of sources to track the best retail pharmacy business plan/ templates, pharmacy start up business plan, pharmacy business plan pdf and innovative pharmaceutical sales business plans. Go through ins and outs of pharmaceutical business plan, pharmaceutical business plans sample, and retail pharmacy business plan including new templates.

Product Quality – Must

In the pharmacy business, the product quality is a must. A vendor or pharmacist should not earn money by delivering expired meds to patients. He should have social obligations to maintain for fairness in pharmacy business. Same way, he is also responsible to process the orders. If meds are delivered late then patients can die. If it is urgent, then shipping process must be fast. Overnight drug supply is not cost effective. Extra processing charges are borne by the buyer.

When your pharmacy business blooms, you must have some better options to make your customers happy. Your online pharmaceutical has few exceptional features which are unbeaten to take your pharmaceutical to million customers outperforming rivals. Pharmaceutical companies must facilitate customers to have their drugs at discounts. Quality of the drugs must not be low. For this reason, there must be analysts and experts to make their comments based on the products meant for sale. Customers will talk to consultants for getting pharma template.

They will go through reports, comments and reviews to have ideas about the quality of meds kept for being sold. Your online med supply stores should be compatible with multiple devices including smart phones. Customers are interested to cross check regular information and updates on their mobile phones. Your e-commerce portal is connected with vast network to support such a sophisticated device. Online customer management center assists new customers to buy products.

For this reason, people feel free to go for buying expensive brand meds from the best pharmacy online. Jot down pros of running a discount pharmaceutical online. Why do people want to buy products online? What is the difference between a local med store and the pharmaceutical on internet? What type of med is sold online? What are the most important pros of buying meds from online pharmacies? Is it cost effective or less time consuming to make deals with online vendors? Well, there are more such questions which can be highlighted for discussion.

Basically, internet based online med stores don’t need manual paperwork. Nor is there any need to entertain customers at the shop. So, investors are not required to buy the land for constructing a big set-up to sell packets of life saving meds, boosters, and health tonics. Online meds stores are operated by pharmacists through broadband. It is a different setting to attract people for business related transaction. Many people don’t understand how to buy meds online. They must be educated.

Well, your pharmacy business promoting campaigns should encourage customers to know about the good aspects of online transactions. First of all, post few blogs, photos, slide shows and of course glossy video clips on home screen to lure newbie customers to have a fast look at the site. After visiting the site, they will be energized to read content, check photos, videos, slide shows and navigate in the site. Online free start-up pharma template will make you more confident.

Site accessibility, information delivery, transaction method, registration, product buying as well as packing for shipment, prices of medications, and way of billing must be innovated. Therefore, ask your website designers to upgrade the site nicely to make it much more compatible with the latest i-devices. Ask them to assist you to change the old policy. Crazy customers in America, Canada, the UK and other parts in Europe have tendencies to buy non-prescription drugs which are not recommended or prescribed by doctors.

They have to pay higher prices to get packets of sedatives or anti-anxiety pills from the local market. Often they are addicted to spurious drugs which enhance the scope of faster deterioration in the health management. They don’t need prescribed drugs as they are not permitted to consume multiple sedatives within 24 hours. They are drug addicted and therefore proper counseling is needed. However, when they hit the online sites or med stores on internet, the surprising gifts are waiting for them.

At a time, it is possible to buy different meds from stores without providing prescriptions. Secondly, they have facilities to deal with a number of drug stores in this online drugstore industry. Promotional offers and discounts are offered to customers as well. At first, when you establish a small size pharmacy, you require the base to stand. It is the ground for you to start building up a strong long lasting structure. It is a dynamic policy to enhance the much faster business promoting.

New Policy for Starting Pharmaceutical Company

Minimum investment is needed to run a pharmacy business. So, the product selling base is required first to ensure the good prospect in this meds supply industry. How to achieve success depends on the strength, resilience, willing force, and lot of energy to do the hard work out. Maybe, it is time consuming but success will come through devotion, hard struggles, and meticulous research to find the best opportunities to be successful entrepreneur with a solid pharmacy business structure.

Invest in the best market where there is excellent ambience to gear up the money earning. It is one of the best things for you to locate the area where you will open the small drug store with innovated structure, and other facilities to tempt customers. It stands to reason; you require lot of plans to design. When you have the dream projects to implement for the business expansion, you must have someone to take you to the last resort successfully.

Many of start-up entrepreneurs are not well organized due to the lack of experience in pharmacy business planning as well as endorsement policy. Well, in this case, a professional business planer needs to be hired for innovating the business plans before investing in the pharmacy industry. Money is needed but you should have excellent projects which have lot of information, data, template, strategy, table of content and resources to let the pharmacy business run smoothly.

Research, probing, intuition and self-discovery study are important to aspiring pharmacy entrepreneurs. To become an experienced entrepreneur, you will have to have strong desires to probe deeply. This research oriented mind will give you a booster to scale up in the industry with success. That’s why, when you have new innovative commercial management plans, policy, programs and glossy projects to implement, you must not stop. The start-up pharmacy business must be expanded.

The profits must be generated. The mobility in the business promotion should be uninterrupted. The longevity of the pharmacy business should be surprisingly longer. Therefore, concentrate on different aspects of commercial management. Go to professional business consultants, experts and business analyzers to have new guidelines/instructions/ plans for extensive analysis.

Brand Business

Brand name of your business works as a booster. It is the workforce. It is the vehicle with a new strategy for you to start the business smoothly. Who will track your business? Brand name is the sign of identification. People will be familiar with your company through the brand name. So, choose the most suitable name for your pharmacy. Well, maybe you have lot of confusion how to configure the brand name and logo.

Really it is much important to you. A cumbersome brand name is not easy to understand. If the name of the pharmacy is long and technically intricate, people are not able to read the brand name easily. So, select the relevant short and attractive words to name your med store. Obviously you need a strategy to conduct more productive business branding.

Invest Money in Promoting Products

Million dollars are overspent in the business promotion campaigns. Giant entrepreneurs have lot of money and they spend financial resources to promote business. Gifts, discounts, and promo codes are offered by these multinational companies. Well, you are a small entrepreneur and you need to earn more money. In the beginning, you have few attractive projects to inaugurate the small business. Well, strategically, you must advertise your products. Advertisement agencies can make your dream productive through lot of ground work, plans, programs and tips.

Hire the top notch advertisers who will make a brief-up covering the most important areas of pharmacy business. Your online advertisements, ads and video clips showcase the med store to impress customers. Certainly, you must have some awesome product endorsement publicizing projects. How to promote the pharmacy business? The objective of your promotional expedition lies in the expansion of the customer management platform with more opportunities to build up the foundation for rejuvenating the business.

Business branding through internet is the weapon for you to convey the best message to people. Your strategy to run business must be effective. What type of medication do you need to sell? Are you a drug retailer? Are you able to sell cheap generic meds? What sort of med do you have in stock? People need better price tags. They are economical. They have the least interest to buy brand meds. Well, your discount drug pharmacy is very much modernized with the stock of high caliber generic medications, life saving meds and qualitative drugs at discounts.

Next step is to have all legal papers, and documents. The paperwork must be done step-wise. First of all, you have to apply for a license. It is the passport for your pharmacy to run. Certainly, it is not easy. Drug licenses are approved only after several surveys, cross verifications and probing. You can’t damage one’s precious life by supplying low quality spurious meds. Right now, government and FDI are not flexible to issue drug licenses easily. Drug addiction is now accelerating to make young generation incompetent.

They have lot of drug buying options. Fake dealers and spurious drug suppliers are seen tempting customers. That’s why; fake licenses and wrong documentation are severely increasing to threaten up people to a great extent. Therefore, you must be fair and honest to have your licenses legally. In this connection, meet an attorney who will advise you how to get the drug license from the superior authority. Smartly speaking, it is not entirely difficult. The legal power will assist you to convince the concerned authority to have the original drug license.

In the beginning, it is the most unavoidable assignment to contact a group of legal experts to ensure the advertising project completion successfully. Pharmacy business must not be dried up after few weeks. You should not backtrack in shame. Bold and strong entrepreneurs must have energy to prioritize the collection of important components to format a new strategic version of business plan to nourish the pharmacy outlet dynamically.

It is a must to maximize the vast media exposure, business branding, meticulous analysis and study to probe deep with good motif to locate the most fruitful niche to speed up the business promotion. Your decision must not be obscure because of the disorders created by your subordinates. Therefore, organize your team to finalize the business branding program and innovative commercial management strategy with the resolution of giving thousand horsepower to your small med store to gain speed.

Tailor Futuristic Advertising Projects

Design futuristic advertising projects. Calculate how much fund is required to establish a single compartment as a small street outlet for selling generic meds. Money you need must be available. If you are not so lucky to arrange fund immediately to overtake hurdle, you must not be found being in lethargic state. Business loans, short term financial aids, and good financial support from different agencies are obtained without complicated paperwork. So, search for this type of secured/unsecured business loan to finance the med store. Financial assistance must be required to buy packets of brands drugs, install computers, and other tools to decorate the drug store.

Basic Components of Discount Pharmacy Business Plan

• Basic indoor furniture pieces like table, chair, desks, small file storing cabinets
• Cash registering systems
• Front counter
• Computer terminal
• Printer for billing
• Electrical goods
• Small data storage server
• Shipping accessories
• Good insurance coverage
• Storing bins

Important Facts to Remember

Customers are different in nature. They don’t have similar mindsets. Nor are they on same strings. Well, study and then evaluate the mindsets of customers. Choose the area where you will get positive customers to sell drugs. Reinvent new strategy to promote pharma. Specific groups of customers need to make walk-in visits to the outlet to purchase meds. This sort of customer has the habit to go to the local med store to buy meds. They are literate.

However, many laymen in the lower middle class are interested to buy prescribed meds from the pharmacies. Secondly, there is another group of people. They are online buyers. They have money to go to the online pharmacy to purchase drugs. Basically, generic medications, and different types of stress management pills they buy from online stores. Prescriptions are not a must for them to buy Viagra, Cialis, Soma or any cheap generic medication to consume.

Apart from this economical class, the enriched and affluent high profile buyers opt for brand meds. Now these medications are very expensive. Even vendors of publicizing portal are not capable of storing different types of brand medications for sale. So, tailor a compact financial budget which must include the overall cost of storing brand, generic and local meds at discounts. The product sale must be fast. Drugs which stored in your refrigerator must be qualitative.

Top Strategies to Expand Pharma

Strategies are applicable to the drug selling. Promotional campaigns are conducive to the faster development of the business. However, forecast is needed to evaluate the vision of yours in the long run. In the first year, estimate the profit percentage. Then you must compare whether you are a gainer or loser. Moderate revenue collection is also good as you are a novice entrepreneur. Well, you need to improve by hook or by crook. Commercial management is not a new thing. Even local traders and informal entrepreneurs know this term.

When your pharmacy business will be launched, your target must concentrate on the store management. Employees should be duty bound. Your pharmacist must be responsible. Drugs kept in your refrigerator must be hygienic. Temperature inside the drug store must be eco-friendly. Apart from this, documentation, billing, registration process and other paper work must be carried out properly. At present, computer application is very urgent. Your tiny med store must be renovated with a set of computers, laser printer and printable papers.

Customers will get bills and invoices through automated bill generated machine. So innovation in the decoration of the med store is certainly essential. Commercial management is also done via internet. Online documentation is undoubtedly smooth. Contact customers on online chatting platform. Talk to them over phone. Make video calls to have advices from experts if required. Permit your employees to use cell phones to send emails to your inbox. Oracle based commercial management portal must be installed into your pharmacy store for taking care of back office jobs smoothly.

Understand Competition and Reset Your Marketing Strategy

You are not alone in the pharmacy advertising portal. Regularly minimum 1 million visitors check over thousand sites to buy medications in the world. Billion dollars are hovering in the med manufacturing trade. The advancement in the med field is the turning point and slowly people are showcasing their interest in buying drugs from the online pharmacies. Rivalry, competition, and struggles are basic things for a trader. To make your pharmacy business/ marketing profitable, be proactive to be much more competent.

Emulate new strategies. Borrow much innovative marketing plans and imitate successful sample business templates to bring innovation to the pharmacy business/ pharma marketing. Who is your rival in the market? Well, rivalry doesn’t mean hostility. You must not have impatience to kill someone. Nor are you a militant to spray venom for terminating the city. So, don’t be misled. Competition means the fair rivalry in advertising trade. You should upgrade your trade structure.

You should be efficient to sell drugs at more affordable prices. You should have dozens of futuristic plans to enlarge the trade faster. The cost efficiency is the objective of a newbie to reduce the cost of drugs. Similarly he will not violate the FDI law to sell drugs at lower prices. Competition is needed for the betterment of the service. Fancy how to bring a result oriented business promotion strategy to expect a sound financial structure by operating a small pharmacy store.

Be a creative person. You are budding pharmacy entrepreneurs. So, recycle your raw energy embedded in mind. Go through periodicals, brochures, and magazines to have authentic information. Research materials need to be gathered for making a giant project to enhance the superb commercial management. Therefore, create a different business plan for pharmacy. It is your draft. You have quality to express what you need. You have bundles of new concepts, and ideas to use.

So in draft assignment, feel free to describe the goals, objectives, business starting plans, budget related issues, sources of arranging fund and basic requirements and marketing to start the drug store. Well, the finishing touch needs to be added to the draft. An experienced pharmacy business planner has over hundred samples. He is a professional business plan writer for pharmacy.

He has solved complicated problems. He is one of the most successful planners in the field. So he can give you a summary of the business plan. Even his instant business plan writing backup must be fruitful to you. Do more probing in the modernized med manufacturing and pharmacy company.

Upgrade your basic knowledge for the sake of good familiarity with the pharmacy field/ marketing. Online library, data and million tons of samples boost up novice traders to track their loopholes in upgrading futuristic strategy. Through compact SWOT analysis, he is able to find the negative factors which are not helpful to him to run the small size drug store. Strength of the entrepreneurs must be identified. It is also applicable to you as well. Track where are going? If you have no vision, the area will not be resilient. You should find the niche in which you will cultivate the land for flourishing the pharmacy business dynamically.

Install Plan Software

Conventional planning needs to be replaced. Computers minimize the jobs of taking care of customers. Well, few years back, drug stores have to keep large space for entertaining customers who were found standing for buying medications. Separate counters for billing were open to all consumers. Drugs were not sold through a single counter during emergency. So, there must be extra space for drugs storing, supplying and customer management. Besides, lighting fixtures, indoor furniture pieces and other important accessories must be installed in the drug store.

Simultaneously, change the traditional billing system. Commercial management/ marketing process must undergo vast innovation. Compact highly advanced SAP software for management/ marketing software is on display in Google. Experts have reset this SAP model to help entrepreneurs to complete handful jobs perfectly. Billing, customer care, marketing, data management, invoice processing, and company analysis are conducted. You have the fast software to take decision within short span of time.

Your marketing trade must be perfectly integrated into a unique platform. Monthly you must analyze the trend. Is your pharmacy running fast or any downtime is likely to happen? Profit ratio, and revenues collected for the particular year must be cross checked. Industry remodeling must be done. However, it is really urgent to go deep and find more facts to compare. Is your drug store compatible with new technology? For instance, virtual pharmacy industry is now much sought-after.

Many American guys buy drugs from online med stores. However, in South Africa, Nigeria, and many countries located in Asia are not perfectly tuned up to run online med stores. Mail order delivery system is not innovative in the remote places as well. So, before opening a new drug store online, once again study to understand the mindsets of local people. However, online mail order marketing system is a vast business expansion portal. You will get more customers in this pharma industry.

Even if you have authentic permits and licenses to export expensive meds to overseas customers, you are a successful entrepreneur with good prospect. Drugs are not useless things. Patients must need medications to save their lives. So, the importance of online pharmacy business will not go down even after a millennium. So, slowly you must have command over the pharmacy commercial management/ marketing. Newbie entrepreneurs should do experiments to be much acquainted with the latest industry operating ethics.

It is obviously time consuming but with technical innovation, and advancement in the commercial management, it is wonderfully much more convenient for a newcomer to learn how to open a good pharmacy store in this specific industry. Starting a pharmacy business plan designed by experts is basically a tool for a newcomer to get a roadmap to innovate the pharmacy in much more dynamic way.

In this connection, OGS capital consultants online are experts to guide newcomers how to chalk out futuristic pharmacy business projects fantastically. Take valuable business promoting tips, modern strategy and free advices from these consultants. Chat with OGS capital business consultants to have new strategy, and ideas to remodel the entire corporate portal successfully.

Download Pharmacy Business Plan Sample in pdf

OGS capital writers specialize in business plan themes such as massage business plan , medical clinic business plan , cannabis dispensary business plan , nursing business plan ideas , transportation corporation health services business plan , reiki business plan and many others.

OGSCapital’s team has assisted thousands of entrepreneurs with top-rate business plan development, consultancy and analysis. They’ve helped thousands of SME owners secure more than $1.5 billion in funding, and they can do the same for you.

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Pharmacy Business Plan

Identify and study the market needs for pharmaceuticals.

• 1 Hospitals and clinics
• 2 Individual consumers
• 3 Long-term care facilities
• 4 Healthcare organizations
• 5 Pharmaceutical wholesalers
• 1 Strong competition
• 2 Changing regulations
• 3 Limited access to medication
• 4 Lack of awareness
• 5 Logistics challenges

Research on the regulatory requirements for setting up a pharmacy business

• 1 Complex licensing process
• 2 Cost of obtaining permits
• 3 Stringent security measures
• 4 Regular inspections and audits
• 5 Maintaining accurate recordkeeping

Prepare a business model and revenue plan

• 1 Prescription medications
• 2 Over-the-counter medications
• 3 Healthcare products and supplements
• 4 Consultations and services
• 5 Compounding medications

Create a detailed marketing and sales strategy

• 1 Digital marketing (website, social media)
• 2 Print advertisements
• 3 Radio and television ads
• 4 Direct mail campaigns
• 5 Partnerships with healthcare providers
• 1 Brochures
• 4 Business cards
• 5 Digital advertisements

Draft a detailed organizational structure

• 1 Pharmacist
• 2 Pharmacy technician
• 3 Front-end staff
• 4 Inventory manager
• 5 Marketing manager
• 1 Communication gaps
• 2 Staff turnover
• 3 Employee conflicts
• 4 Performance management
• 5 Training and development

Approval: Organizational Structure

• Draft a detailed organizational structure Will be submitted

Develop a business operation plan

• 1 Ordering and receiving medication
• 2 Storing and organizing inventory
• 3 Monitoring and restocking inventory
• 4 Managing expiration dates
• 5 Implementing quality control measures
• 1 Inventory shortages
• 2 Medication errors
• 3 Supply chain disruptions
• 4 Unforeseen emergencies
• 5 Staff scheduling conflicts

Research and decide on an ideal location

• 1 High rental costs
• 2 Limited availability of commercial spaces
• 3 Zoning restrictions
• 4 Competition from existing pharmacies
• 5 Accessibility issues for customers

Estimate initial setup and ongoing operating costs

• 1 Negotiating bulk purchase discounts
• 2 Energy-efficient lighting and appliances
• 3 Automation of manual processes
• 4 Staff cross-training for multi-functional roles
• 5 Optimizing inventory management

Identify potential sources for investment

• 1 Business plan
• 2 Financial projections
• 3 Market analysis
• 4 Legal and regulatory compliance documentation
• 5 Track record of the management team
• 1 Limited access to capital
• 2 Competitive investment landscape
• 3 Uncertainty in the healthcare market
• 4 Regulatory changes impacting investment decisions
• 5 Market saturation in the pharmacy industry

Approval: Investment Sources

• Identify potential sources for investment Will be submitted

Create a detailed risk management plan

• 1 Limited resources for risk mitigation
• 2 Complex regulatory requirements
• 3 Resistance to change from staff or stakeholders
• 4 Inadequate risk monitoring and reporting systems
• 5 Emerging risks in the healthcare industry

Draft a proposal for partnership with pharmaceutical suppliers

• 1 Price fluctuations in the pharmaceutical market
• 2 Dependence on a single supplier
• 3 Quality control issues
• 4 Supply chain disruptions
• 5 Maintaining competitive pricing for customers

Approval: Pharmaceutical Suppliers Proposal

• Draft a proposal for partnership with pharmaceutical suppliers Will be submitted

Develop a training plan for employees

• 1 Limited resources for training programs
• 2 High staff turnover impacting training effectiveness
• 3 Keeping up with changing regulations and industry standards
• 4 Practical application of training concepts
• 5 Staff resistance to training initiatives

Create a customer service and retention strategy

• 1 In-person interactions
• 4 Website chat support
• 5 Social media platforms
• 1 Long wait times
• 2 Communication barriers with non-native language speakers
• 3 Patient confidentiality concerns
• 4 Managing customer complaints and queries
• 5 Ensuring accurate medication information

Plan for the pharmacy layout

• 1 Accessibility for customers with disabilities
• 2 Space constraints
• 3 Ergonomic design for staff
• 4 Compliance with building codes
• 5 Effective utilization of retail space

Develop a digital strategy including e-prescriptions, home delivery, etc

• 1 E-prescriptions
• 2 Online ordering
• 3 Home delivery
• 4 Mobile app for medication reminders
• 5 Virtual consultations
• 1 Technological infrastructure requirements
• 2 Integration with existing systems
• 3 Training staff on digital platforms
• 4 Protecting customer information from cyber threats
• 5 Managing customer expectations and feedback

Outline a plan for future growth and expansion

• 1 Competitive landscape in new markets
• 2 Acquiring adequate funding for expansion
• 3 Managing increased operational complexities
• 4 Adapting to changing industry regulations
• 5 Maintaining consistent quality across multiple locations

Create a final draft of pharmacy business plan

• 1 Executive summary
• 2 Company overview
• 4 Marketing and sales strategies
• 5 Organizational structure
• 6 Operational plan
• 7 Financial projections
• 8 Risk management plan
• 9 Partnership and supplier strategies
• 10 Training and development plans
• 11 Customer service and retention strategies
• 12 Digital strategy
• 13 Growth and expansion plan

Email Subject: Final Draft of Pharmacy Business Plan

Approval: Pharmacy Business Plan

• Create a final draft of pharmacy business plan Will be submitted

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Pharmacy Business Plan Template

The world’s #1 pharmacy business plan template — it’s the quickest and easiest way to create a winning pharmacy business plan, period.

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“I was so happy to find your business plan template. It was just what I needed to get my new business started in the right direction. The template pushed me to think in areas I had not put much focus on before, and I was able to put all the information in a well laid out plan and have it look very professional.

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As they began to ask questions about my business and monies needed, I was able to answer without stumbling over my words because I had a well thought out plan. They told me they had never seen anyone so prepared to start a business as I was. This gave me great confidence as well as being able to secure a loan for all that I asked for and more!

Danell Fitzgerald

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Pharmacy Business Plan Template [Updated 2024]

Pharmacy Business Plan & Example

If you want to start a pharmacy or expand your current pharmacy business, you need a business plan.

The following pharmacy business plan template gives you the key elements to include in a winning pharmacy business plan.

You can download our Pharmacy Business Plan Template (including a full, customizable financial model) to your computer here.

Sample Pharmacy Business Plan

Below are links to each of the key sections of your pharmacy business plan: I. Executive Summary II. Company Overview III. Industry Analysis IV. Customer Analysis V. Competitive Analysis VI. Marketing Plan VII. Operations Plan VIII. Management Team IX. Financial Plan

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Pharmacy Business Plan Home I. Executive Summary II. Company Overview III. Industry Analysis IV. Customer Analysis V. Competitive Analysis VI. Marketing Plan VII. Operations Plan VIII. Management Team IX. Financial Plan

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Business plan essentials for opening a new pharmacy

Opening a successful new pharmacy starts with a well-thought-out business plan

• RxOwnership® has helped thousands of pharmacy owners get started.
• Key lessons learned: understand the basics, develop a business plan, assemble a team and pick a good location.
• A business plan is foundational. Understand all of the essential elements.
• Focus on financing; lack of working capital is the #1 reason for failure.
• After developing your plan, regularly review and revise it.

Turning your passion into reality

Have you thought about opening your own independent pharmacy?

Perhaps you work at a chain and want to run your own business. Maybe you’ve worked at an independent pharmacy and want to go out on your own. Or, perhaps you own one pharmacy and see an opportunity to acquire another.

It is important to know the positives and challenges of starting an independent pharmacy.

The rewards of starting and running a successful independent pharmacy can be significant. But just opening a pharmacy and simply expecting it to automatically be successful is unrealistic. It takes hard work and careful planning.

Lessons from RxOwnership

To date, RxOwnership has been involved in more than 6,000 transactions involving independent pharmacies. Chris Cella, R.Ph., national vice president for RxOwnership, states, “We’ve seen it. We understand it.”

RxOwnership has found there is much to consider before opening a new pharmacy.

Business plan essentials

Among RxOwnership’s tools and resources is a list of essential elements of an effective business plan. Also, Cella points out, “There’s no need to do it alone.” Whether you choose to work with RxOwnership or another resource, “use the expertise of people who have done this before.”

• Mission statement
• Executive overview
• Ownership structure (sole proprietorship, partnership, etc.)
• Financial plans and projections
• Competitive analysis
• Demographic analysis
• Competitive advantage: what will differentiate you?
• Pharmacy services and offerings
• Marketing plans
• Future plans/exit strategy

To highlight a few business plan essentials:

• Demographic analysis : This is about determining the opportunity in a location. It entails understanding the age, income and ethnic makeup of a community to understand who you would be serving.
• Competitive analysis : Understand how many competitors are in a market and the strengths and weaknesses of each. A “SWOT analysis” (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) is a good exercise. Cella says, “Just because there’s somebody in a market doesn’t preclude you from going in, but you need to identify their weaknesses to find your pharmacy’s advantage.”
• Differentiation : The pharmacy landscape is already competitive. So, how will your pharmacy attract and retain enough customers to build a successful business? What will set you apart? Define how your pharmacy will be different and better. For example, your pharmacy may be in a clinic setting that will fill prescriptions and work with prescribers to keep patients healthier. Also, think about distinctive services such as medication synchronization, compliance packaging, compounding, immunizations and unique offerings like DME and/or nutraceuticals.

Focus on financing

RxOwnership has seen that the #1 reason start-up pharmacies fail is not lack of intelligence or effort. It is lack of working capital.

“It can take 15–24 months to break even,” Cella said. “During that time the pharmacy still needs to pay staff, rent, utilities and its wholesaler. Better to get plenty of funding up front. Having your project properly capitalized will help keep your business plan on the right track,” he said.

Budget for marketing before and after you open

Not budgeting enough for marketing is another common mistake. “You need to build in a marketing budget both pre- and post-opening,” Cella said. At least three months before opening, you need to market to prescribers and the community, explaining when you will open and what services your pharmacy will offer. Then, budget for grand opening events and for the rest of the year.

Learn and revise your plan

After your pharmacy opens, review the plan at least quarterly. Compare where you are with what you expected and make adjustments. “Your business plan should not be created and shelved,” Cella said. “It’s a living document that needs to be changed and massaged as your business grows.”

Walgreens CEO says no plans to sell specialty pharmacy unit

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VW's US finance unit to pay $48.75 mln to resolve SEC diesel case

Volkswagen Group of America's wholly owned finance unit has agreed to pay $48.75 million to resolve a government lawsuit that accused the German automaker and its former CEO of defrauding investors in U.S. bond offerings.

Here's Why You Should Add Cigna (CI) Stock to Your Portfolio

The Cigna Group  CI is well-poised to grow on the back of strategic acquisitions and collaborations, and rising pharmacy revenues. Its diversified product portfolio, wide agent network and growing Evernorth business bode well.

Cigna, with a market cap of $100 billion, is a healthcare plan providing company in the United States with a wide range of products. CI provides pharmacy services, benefits management, care solutions, as well as data and analytics. These services are used by health plans, employers, healthcare providers and government organizations.

Courtesy of solid prospects, this Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) stock is worth adding at the moment.

Let’s delve deeper.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Cigna’s 2024 earnings per share (EPS) is pegged at $28.34, indicating a 13% year-over-year rise. The estimate remained stable over the past week. Adjusted EPS guidance for 2024 is anticipated to be a minimum of $28.25. Cigna expects to maintain average annual adjusted EPS growth in the range of 10-14% in the long term. The company beat earnings estimates in all the last four quarters, with the average surprise being 2.9%.

Cigna Group Price and EPS Surprise

Cigna Group price-eps-surprise | Cigna Group Quote

The consensus estimate for 2024 revenues is pegged at $235.1 billion, suggesting a 20.4% rise. Growing pharmacy revenues, premiums and fees are expected to boost the top line. We expect pharmacy revenues to rise 23.6% in 2024, along with a 9.2% jump in premiums. The company expects adjusted revenues at a minimum of $235 billion in 2024.

Cigna’s membership has been growing for the past few quarters, and the trend is expected to continue due to the expansion of its customer base within its U.S. Commercial business. We expect Individual and Family Plans, small and middle market medical customers to grow 0.1%, 0.8% and 0.6%, respectively, in 2024. Cigna expects long-term average annual adjusted income growth in the range of 7%-10% in its Cigna Healthcare segment. Long-term average margins are expected to be in the range of 10.5-11.5%.

Cigna’s Evernorth segment also remains well-poised for growth on the back of improved pharmacy benefits, care services and specialty performance. CI expects long-term average annual adjusted income growth between 5% and 8%. It also expects the pharmacy benefit services business to win 270 new clients in 2024. CI recently unveiled new offerings like EncricleRx and Evernorth Behavioral Care Group, improving the segment’s prospects. 

The company’s acquisitions like Express Scripts and collaborations, including those with CarepathRx, Virgin Pulse, VillageMD and others, continue to expand its portfolio and capabilities. These enable the company to provide customers with a holistic range of healthcare solutions. Value enhancing initiatives, such as divesting loss-making operations, are expected to improve efficiency in the future. In January 2024, CI divested its Medicare Advantage Unit to Health Care Services for $3.3 billion. This move came after the business could not reach its long-term target margins due to high administrative expenses. Capital freed from this transaction is expected to be clawed back to invest in its core business of employer-sponsored coverage.

Cigna has a strong shareholder value-boosting program in place. In 2023, Cigna bought back 7.8 million shares for around $2.3 billion. It recently added $10 billion to its share buyback program, bringing the total repurchase fund to $11.3 billion. It paid $1.5 billion in dividends in 2023. It increased its quarterly dividend by 14% to $1.40 in the first quarter of 2024. It remains optimistic to pay an attractive dividend and generate an operating cash flow of a minimum of $11 billion for 2024. In the 2022-2026 period, management expects CI to generate operating cash flows of roughly $50 billion.

However, Cigna’s return on assets of 4.1% is below the industry average of 7.3%, suggesting that the company is generating less profit from its assets relative to its industry peers. Its divestments are targeted to reduce less profitable assets and improve returns. Given its ROA, the company has room to improve operational efficiency and optimize assets. Also, its high debt level, with a net debt to capital of 28.7% (against the industry average of 17.8%), can lead to growing interest expenses. Nevertheless, we believe that a systematic and strategic plan of action will drive CI’s long-term growth.

Other Key Medical Picks

Some other top-ranked stocks in the Medical space are  Organon & Co.  OGN,  The Ensign Group, Inc.  ENSG and  Chemed Corporation  CHE. While Organon currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), Ensign Group and Chemed carry a Zacks Rank #2. You can see  the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here .

Organon’s earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in two of the last four quarters and missed the mark twice, the average surprise being 5.1%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for OGN’s earnings indicates a rise of 3.6%, while the consensus mark for revenues suggests an improvement of 1% from the corresponding year-ago reported figures.

The consensus estimate for OGN’s 2024 earnings has moved 2.1% north in the past 30 days.

Ensign Group’s earnings outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 1.7%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ENSG’s 2024 earnings indicates a rise of 12.2% from the year-ago reported figure. The consensus mark for revenues indicates growth of 11.2% from the year-ago reported figure.

The consensus estimate for ENSG’s 2024 earnings has moved 0.6% north in the past 30 days.

Chemed’s earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in two of the trailing four quarters and missed the mark twice, the average surprise being 1.1%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CHE’s 2024 earnings indicates a rise of 15.1%, while the consensus mark for revenues suggests an improvement of 5.2% from the corresponding year-ago reported figures.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CHE’s 2024 earnings has moved 1.9% north in the past 30 days.

To read this article on Zacks.com click here.

Pricey phone plans; unveiling the national pharmacare plan: CBC's Marketplace cheat sheet

Consumer and health news you need from the week.

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Corporate pressure led Shoppers Drug Mart staff to bill for unnecessary medication reviews, pharmacists say

Shoppers Drug Mart billing Ontario for unnecessary checks, former employees say

Sitting at her home in Ottawa earlier this month, Mary Fernando got an out-of-the-blue call from her pharmacy at Shoppers Drug Mart. An employee on the other end of the line asked if she was still using two inhalers to control her asthma, and if she was happy with the medication. She said yes, then quickly ended the call — all within five minutes. "It was just a bizarre conversation," she said. Fernando later realized Shoppers Drug Mart had billed for the conversation as a virtual medication review under Ontario's MedsCheck program, which reimburses pharmacies in Ontario for meeting with patients to go over their prescriptions. "I could not imagine a milder patient than me, right? And a more useless MedsCheck," Fernando said in an interview. "You think that money could be used — should be used — more wisely." CBC News spoke with former Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacy employees who believe the company is taking advantage of the MedsCheck service by pushing staff to bill for consultations patients don't necessarily need. The company can then bill the province up to $75 per call. Eight former Shoppers Drug Mart employees said intense pressure from management pushed staff to cold-call customers regularly. In an internal letter obtained by CBC News that was emailed to company leadership last July, a group of pharmacy owners said the "borderline abusive" pressure to do more MedsCheck calls was affecting their ability to provide the best patient care. In an interview on Tuesday, Shoppers Drug Mart president Jeff Leger said the company does not "pressure pharmacists to bill for MedsChecks" in order to turn a profit. "We obviously monitor this very closely, take these allegations very seriously, but really believe that MedsChecks and med reviews are actually having a positive impact on Canadians," Leger said.  Read more

Some phone plans are pricier than before the Rogers-Shaw deal, says Canada's competition watchdog

Certain cellphone plans in Western Canada are not as cheap as they were prior to the Rogers-Shaw merger, Canada's competition watchdog says. Jeanne Pratt, the Competition Bureau's senior deputy commissioner of mergers and monopolistic practices, says the agency hasn't seen evidence showing Rogers Communications Inc. is offering comparable pricing for bundled wireless plans offered by Shaw Mobile in Alberta and British Columbia before the $26-billion takeover closed last April. Pratt was testifying at the House of Commons industry committee on Monday along with representatives from the CRTC, as MPs study the accessibility and affordability of wireless and broadband services in Canada. MPs on the committee sounded the alarm in January, when Rogers confirmed prices were going up by an average of $5 for wireless customers not on contract, and some Bell Canada customers were also told their wireless bills were set to increase. The committee has invited the chief executives of Rogers, Bell parent BCE Inc. and Telus Corp. to testify at an upcoming meeting.  NDP MP Brian Masse tabled a motion on Monday to summon the three CEOs to appear if the committee's invitation is not accepted.  Read more

A fluctuating Frosty? Wendy's will test dynamic pricing at some U.S. locations in 2025

Craving a Frosty? Better get it on a slow day — if you're going to a Wendy's that'll be testing dynamic pricing in the U.S., that is. The company recently announced in an earnings call that it would launch the experiment at some locations as part of its new digital menus to be launched next year. The idea is that the cost of menu items, such as the fast-food giant's signature frozen dessert, will fluctuate throughout the day and might even cost more when demand is high. After media reports noting the change were published on Tuesday, Wendy's responded, saying it won't increase prices during the busiest times at its restaurants — and that it isn't implementing "surge pricing," which the spokesperson said was distinct from dynamic pricing. A summary of the earnings call posted on the Wendy's website refers to "dynamic pricing" and "upsell capabilities" in a slide touting its new digital menu boards. The spokesperson added that the change is expected to drive traffic during slower parts of the day. When asked if the changes will take effect in Canada, the spokesperson said the experiment will be confined to some U.S. locations for now.  Read more

Ottawa has unveiled a national pharmacare plan that would cover diabetes treatments and contraception

Health Minister Mark Holland released the long-awaited details of the federal government's pharmacare plan on Thursday, with a commitment to cover some diabetes treatments and contraception. If the bill, C-64, passes Parliament, Holland will begin negotiating with the provinces and territories on a funding commitment that would cover the cost of providing these medications to people for free. The federal government says it will also establish a fund to support Canadian diabetics who need access to syringes and glucose test strips to manage their condition but struggle to afford them. The government says one in four Canadians with diabetes — about 3.7 million people have the condition — have reported they're not following their treatment plans due to the cost. The "first-dollar" coverage for these drugs — an insurance industry term that means the government foots the bill entirely — will help those diabetics in particular. The pharmacare plan also will give the nine million Canadians of reproductive age better access to contraception to ensure "reproductive autonomy, reducing the risk of unintended pregnancies and improving their ability to plan for the future," the government said in its media release. The federal government says that beyond diabetes treatments and contraception, it intends eventually to implement more coverage for other medications.  Read more

What else is going on?

The Canadian economy not in recession, but 2023 was one of its weakest recent years StatsCan says aside from first year of pandemic, growth in 2023 rose at slowest pace since 2016.

As Lynx heads to the discount airline graveyard, what options do travellers have? CBC's Jenna Benchetrit breaks down why it's so difficult for ultra low-cost carriers to compete.

Thieves were able to steal $1,000 in Optimum points from a Vancouver woman Here's how to protect yourself. 

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jenny Cowley is an investigative journalist in Toronto. She has previously reported for CBC in Nova Scotia. You can reach her at [email protected].

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Instrument Name Neighbourly Pharmacy Inc Instrument Symbol (NBLY-T) Instrument Exchange TSX

Neighbourly receives final court approval of plan of arrangement to be acquired by persistence capital partners.

TORONTO , March 13, 2024 /CNW/ - Neighbourly Pharmacy Inc. (" Neighbourly " or the " Company ") (TSX: NBLY ), Canada's largest and fastest growing network of independent pharmacies, is pleased to announce that the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Commercial List) has issued a final order approving the previously announced plan of arrangement under the provisions of the Canada Business Corporations Act involving Neighbourly and T.I.D. Acquisition Corp. (the " Purchaser "), a newly-formed entity controlled by Persistence Capital Partners (" PCP ").

Provided Content : Content provided by Newswire.ca. The Globe and Mail was not involved, and material was not reviewed prior to publication.

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What to know about the SAVE plan, the income-driven plan to repay student loans

NEW YORK — More than 75 million student loan borrowers have enrolled in the U.S. government’s newest repayment plan since it launched in August.

President Joe Biden recently announced that he was canceling federal student loans for nearly 153,000 borrowers enrolled in the plan, known as the SAVE plan . Forgiveness was granted to borrowers who had made payments for at least 10 years and originally borrowed $12,000 or less.

The SAVE plan was created last year to replace other existing income-based repayment plans offered by the federal government. More borrowers are now eligible to have their monthly payments reduced to $0, and many will qualify for lower payments compared to other repayment plans.

For Lauran Michael and her husband, the SAVE plan has reduced student loan payments by half.

Since getting married, they’ve both been paying off her husband’s student loans, which would have amounted to about $1,000 a month when payments resumed after a pause during the pandemic. Under the SAVE plan, their payments are now $530 a month.

“We don’t want our loans dictating our life choices, and us not being able to do other things because we’re paying so much money. The SAVE plan is definitely a game changer for us,” said Michael, a 34-year-old interior designer in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Michael’s family is paying for daycare for their two children using the money they saved from not making payments during the pandemic and the reduced payments under the SAVE plan.

If you are interested in applying for the SAVE plan, here’s what you need to know:

WHAT IS AN INCOME-DRIVEN REPAYMENT PLAN?

The U.S. Education Department offers several plans for repaying federal student loans. Under the standard plan, borrowers are charged a fixed monthly amount that ensures all their debt will be repaid after 10 years. But if borrowers have difficulty paying that amount, they can enroll in one of several plans that offer lower monthly payments based on income and family size. Those are known as income-driven repayment plans.

Income-driven options have been offered for years and generally cap monthly payments at 10% of a borrower’s discretionary income. If a borrower’s earnings are low enough, their bill is reduced to $0. And after 20 or 25 years, any remaining debt gets erased.

HOW IS THE SAVE PLAN DIFFERENT?

More borrowers in the SAVE plan are eligible for $0 payments. This plan won’t require borrowers to make payments if they earn less than 225% of the federal poverty line — $32,800 a year for a single person. The cutoff for other plans, by contrast, is 150% of the poverty line, or $22,000 a year for a single person.

Also, the SAVE plan prevents interest from piling up. As long as borrowers make their monthly payments, their overall balance won’t increase. Once they cover their adjusted monthly payment — even if it’s $0 — any remaining interest is waived.

Other major changes will take effect in July 2024. Payments on undergraduate loans will be capped at 5% of discretionary income, down from 10% now. Those with graduate and undergraduate loans will pay between 5% and 10%, depending on their original loan balance.

The maximum repayment period is capped at 20 years for those with only undergraduate loans and 25 years for those with any graduate school loans.

WHO QUALIFIES FOR THE SAVE PLAN?

The SAVE plan is available to all student loan borrowers in the Direct Loan Program who are in good standing on their loans.

Read more about the SAVE plan here .

HOW DO I APPLY FOR THE SAVE PLAN?

Borrowers can apply to the SAVE plan using the Income-Driven Repayment Plan request through the Education Department’s website.

HOW WILL I KNOW THAT MY DEBT HAS BEEN CANCELED?

If you are one of the borrowers who is benefitting from forgiveness under the SAVE plan, you will receive an email from the Education Department.

WHAT ARE OTHER PROGRAMS THAT CAN HELP WITH STUDENT LOAN DEBT?

If you’ve worked for a government agency or a nonprofit , the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program offers cancellation after 10 years of regular payments, and some income-driven repayment plans cancel the remainder of a borrower’s debt after 20 to 25 years.

Borrowers should make sure they’re signed up for the best possible income-driven repayment plan to qualify for these programs.

Borrowers who have been defrauded by for-profit colleges may also apply for relief through a program known as Borrower Defense.

If you’d like to repay your federal student loans under an income-driven plan, the first step is to fill out an application through the Federal Student Aid website .

WILL THERE BE FUTURE FORGIVENESS?

Several categories of borrowers would be eligible for relief under Biden’s second try at widespread cancellation after the Supreme Court rejected his first plan last year.

The proposed plan includes relief for borrowers who have been paying their loans for at least 20 or 25 years, automatic forgiveness for borrowers who are eligible for income-driven repayment plans but are not enrolled, and loan cancellation for borrowers who attended a for-profit college that left them unable to pay their student loans, among others.

Whether any of the relief will materialize is a looming question as conservatives vow to challenge any attempt at mass student loan cancellation. The new proposal is narrower, focusing on several categories of borrowers who could get some or all of their loans canceled, but legal challenge is almost certain.

Currently, borrowers who are eligible for forgiveness under the SAVE program will get their loans discharged on a rolling basis, according to the Education Department.

The Associated Press receives support from Charles Schwab Foundation for educational and explanatory reporting to improve financial literacy. The independent foundation is separate from Charles Schwab and Co. Inc. The AP is solely responsible for its journalism.