Idea No. 233: What do you need to open a pharmacy kiosk on your own?

Novice entrepreneurs who want to receive a high stable income even in times of crisis are interested in how to open a pharmacy kiosk (point) from scratch and what is needed for this. In fact, this is not such an easy project. It requires careful preparation and large investments.

But the relevance is really confirmed in any period. After all, people always get sick, and today it is rare that anyone is treated with the help of folk remedies and various herbal decoctions. Traditional medicine is increasingly preferred. And if you think carefully about the range of goods and the location of the pharmacy, then you can count on a constant influx of customers.

Business features

Initially, it is worth studying pharmaceutical activities from the point of view of the law and some of the nuances of organizing and doing business in this industry. After all, they are slightly different from any other form of trading. A document called Federal Law No. 86 of 06/22/1998 will help with this.

Establishments selling medicines in Russia differ from each other:

1. A pharmacy is a large institution that not only sells medicines, but also prepares them. Here you can buy any medicine, even those that are dispensed by prescription.
2. Pharmacy kiosk or point - the range of goods is limited only to popular positions that can be sold freely.
3. Internet pharmacy - as a modern version of the previous version. With the help of the online system, you can sell products anywhere in the country. Often becomes an additional way to sell drugs.

A novice entrepreneur with a small start-up capital is recommended to open a pharmacy kiosk. And although it involves less profit from trading activities than pharmacies, it can still be a successful project and, with minimal difficulties, bring tangible income. Also remember that the state prohibits setting a markup on goods higher than 10-40%.

It is believed that even in the presence of competition and a large number of pharmacy points in different cities of Russia, there are a number of undeniable advantages in organizing this type of business:

• Fast payback of the project.
• Constant high demand, as diseases are an integral part of modern society.
• Broad target audience - all segments of the population suffer from various ailments (rich and poor, young and old, leading a calm or active lifestyle, etc.).
• There is no special seasonality - income is provided all year round.
• There are no restrictions on the choice of the location of the kiosk.

And indeed, whether it is a village, a small town or a metropolis, in almost every pharmacy there are always buyers who need this or that product. Even if there are several similar establishments on the same street, each of them has customers.

But in such a business industry there are also disadvantages, there are not many of them, but they are significant and can scare away some start-up entrepreneurs:

1. Even opening a small pharmacy kiosk will require large initial investments.
2. You will have to overcome a number of registration barriers and difficulties, obtain a license and always monitor the activities of the company so that all details meet high requirements and standards.

If you do not know where to start and are not sure that you will cope with the difficulties on your own, it is recommended to take advantage of acquiring a franchise. In this case, you will be provided with a ready-made business plan and step-by-step instructions, staff will be trained, and everything necessary for the sale of medicines will be provided.

Download free pharmacies as a sample.

Registration questions

The most difficult and lengthy process will be the registration of pharmacy activities in accordance with all the rules. To do this, you will have to go through a number of stages. First, register as an individual entrepreneur, LLC or JSC. Self-employment is only suitable if the pharmacy is not too large, the assortment includes only running over-the-counter items, and in the future you have no desire to expand and create a network.

Otherwise, you must first register a legal entity. True, in this case, you will have to submit more paperwork and hire an accountant to maintain complex financial statements. The taxation system is chosen on a general basis (UTII). Be sure to indicate all possible OKVED codes, taking into account the proposed range of products:

• 31 - retail trade in the field of pharmaceuticals;
• 12 - sale of goods in non-specialized stores;
• 32 - responsible for the sale of various medical and orthopedic products;
• 33 - in the presence of cosmetic and perfume items.

Next, you will have to obtain permission from Rospotrebnadzor, the fire inspection and the sanitary and epidemiological service. To do this, you first need to properly prepare the premises for sale and develop a production control program. Additional documents required:

1. Copies of the certificate of graduation from the medical educational institution of employees, since only people with a special pharmaceutical higher education have the right to engage in such activities;
2. Staff medical records.
3. Contracts for the lease of premises, garbage disposal, disposal of waste containing mercury.
4. A document confirming the regular cleaning of overalls, as well as disinfection and disinfestation of the building.

The most difficult issue for many aspiring entrepreneurs is licensing. To do this, you will need to submit the following papers:

• specialist certificate from the manager or owner of the business;
• copies of documents on the education of a pharmacist and pharmacists working in a pharmacy;
• obtained permits from SES and SPI;
• a document confirming the registration of the LLC;
• long-term lease agreement;
• drawn up BTI plan;
• certificates for all commercial equipment in which medicines will be stored.

To clarify the list of required papers, you can check with the order of the Russian Federation No. 489. It will be possible to obtain a license only after paying the state fee for five years. After this period, you will have to go through the procedure again. Only after the issuance of all certificates and permits can one directly engage in the purchase of medicines, the opening of an institution and the receipt of income from the sale of goods.

Selection and preparation of premises

A variety of places are suitable for the location of a pharmacy:

1. Crowded streets.
2. Close to roads and trails.
3. In sleeping areas on the first floors of residential buildings.
4. At the grocery store or mall.
5. Close to offices and government institutions.
6. On the territory of hospitals and clinics or in their immediate vicinity.
7. At public transport stops.
8. Stations, bus stations, airports, etc.

A lively flow of people promises the presence of random visitors. But if you locate a pharmacy in a residential area, then it will be much more convenient for residents to buy medicines near their homes. Due to the fact that medicines are required by almost all segments of the population, there are no particular difficulties in choosing a good building.

But it must necessarily comply with certain standards:

• The total area is not less than 12 square meters. m., but it can be more (preferably 36 sq. m.), if a wide range of goods is expected and its convenient display on the shelves.
• The workplace of a pharmacist should be completely fenced off from the shopping area with high glass.
• In addition to the trading floor, you need to allocate space for a warehouse, a shower for staff, a bathroom and utility rooms.
• Organize a convenient space for receiving and sorting goods.
• It is obligatory to carry out high-quality systems of electricity, sewerage, plumbing, ventilation, heating.
• Also take care of the presence of fire and security alarms.
• SES will require the presence of various devices that record and control air parameters (its temperature and humidity).
• It is advisable to cover the floor with linoleum or ceramic tiles, you can additionally insulate it, and use safe materials that are easy to wet clean to decorate the ceilings and walls.

What will be required?

We list the main set of commercial equipment that is needed to open a pharmacy kiosk:

1. Open shelving and shelves for medicines.
2. Closed transparent windows.
3. Counter.
4. Cash register.
5. Medicine cabinets.
6. Special floor-standing refrigerators with glass doors designed for pharmaceutical purposes.
7. Medical freezer.
8. Computer or laptop for staff and pharmacy management.
9. Office furniture.
10. Program for electronic accounting of goods and payments.

If you decide to open a place where various narcotic and psychotropic substances will be sold, then you will also need a burglary safe thermostat. It is important that all purchased equipment be certified and registered by the Ministry of Health of Russia, and also authorized for use specifically for pharmacy purposes.

When installing an alarm system, refrigerators, cash registers and software for work, you need to take care to conclude contracts with various service organizations for servicing this equipment and devices.

Range

When selecting trade items for sale in a pharmacy kiosk, you should be guided by the following criteria:

• Each medicine must be officially approved for sale in our country and have the appropriate certification.
• Consider the list of medicines allowed for free sale (in a small point it is impossible to sell narcotic and psychotropic drugs, as well as those that are sold strictly according to medical prescriptions).
• Make up the assortment in such a way that you can offer customers a variety of options - cheap and expensive, new items and well-known medicines to eliminate various problems and ailments.

It is good if, in addition to direct pharmacy products, related products will be presented on the shelves - vitamins, baby diapers, personal hygiene products, body care cosmetics, wipes, etc.

Be careful not to buy drugs with a very short expiration date, otherwise you may not have time to sell them. Also, at the first purchase, it is advisable to order trial items in a small amount (up to 10 pieces of each of them). And only with time, in the process of activity, it will be possible to better navigate which drugs to purchase in larger or smaller volumes.

Recruitment

To work in a pharmacy, you can not hire people without a pharmaceutical education. The only exceptions are the cleaning lady and the accountant. The staff must have pharmacists (one for each shift) and a pharmacist who is involved in compiling the assortment and the plan for purchasing goods. To hire suitable employees, you need to be guided by the following criteria:

1. Russian citizenship.
2. Pharmaceutical education with confirmed accreditation.
3. Experience in this field of activity.
4. Availability of health books.
5. Once every five years, such specialists take refresher courses, as evidenced by the issued documents.

Please note that even the owner of such a business is required to have an appropriate specialized education in the field of pharmaceuticals. Otherwise, you will have to hire a person to perform the management function.

The advantage of opening such a kiosk is that even without additional efforts, but only due to a good location and a noticeable sign, it is possible to get a large flow of customers. You may not have to spend a lot on an advertising campaign. And yet, for rapid development, use modern strategies:

• Announce the opening in the media.
• Put up ads in transport, at bus stops, in crowded places.
• Advertise online.
• Develop a profitable discount system for regular customers.
• Run periodic promotions.
• Offer home delivery services.
• Implement the ability to order the required medicine, even if it is not on the shelves.
• Make sure your staff is attentive to your customers so that they come back when needed.
• Periodically expand the range of goods, pay attention to what buyers are interested in.
• Always offer new items that are actively advertised on TV.

The financial side of the issue

So, how much money will be needed to implement such a plan? Depending on the expected scale, form of activity, product range and other details, the final amount will also differ. The averages look like this:

But that's not all. After all, large sums will be constantly spent on the maintenance of a pharmacy.

On average, the profit of such institutions ranges from 850,000 rubles per month. As a result, it is possible to recoup all investments in 1.5-2 years and receive about 270 thousand rubles of net profit every month. But these figures can be higher if you carefully consider each step and responsibly approach the implementation of the project.

Video: what does it take to open a pharmacy?