Ghana is a great land of opportunity for business people,
whatever sector they may be.
There is a market for almost
anything you can think of.
Knowing this, be confident that
whatever business you start, nurtured well, will bloom into
something beautiful, and of course profitable.
Pharmacy
business in Ghana is certainly one of those businesses.
Today We will tell you how turning your sights to
pharmaceuticals can make you smile every time you see
the figures in your bank account.
Pharmacy business also
know as chemist shop in Ghana is a multi billion dollar business opportunity.
Why Start a Drug Store/pharmacy ?
Sometimes We wonder how so many people fit into such a
small looking country.
Ghana has quite a large population,
and sadly a corresponding large number of sick people.
How often do you hear the words “I have a cold”, or “I have
a headache”, or “its malaria”? These are a few very minor
examples but thankfully when it comes to pharmaceuticals
as a business, the more sick people the better.
Frankly speaking though, in Ghana, pharmacies are some
of the most visited places, because there are always people
in ill health.
Those people need medication and we are sure
you know that where there is a need, there is business.
Follow these steps and you’ll start a business that’s
profitable not only to you but to the community too.
Types of Pharmacies in Ghana
The healthcare available to most citizens in Ghana is
below par at best. Most people simply cannot afford good
healthcare.
This heralds the current situation, in which
people take their troubles to the government run hospitals,
where healthcare is more affordable.
When they’re there, those who need medication are given
prescriptions, and are usually directed to the
(i) hospital
pharmacies, where often the case is that the medication
they need is not in stock!! Then patients are referred to
nearby
(ii) retail/community pharmacies, where they find
the drugs they need.
This article will instruct you on how to start a community
pharmacy.
Step 1 – Register your business
You can open up shop, buy drugs and start selling them,
but that would most likely end with you in a cell because
there are rules guiding the sale of drugs, implemented by
the Pharmaceutical Council of Ghana (PCG).
So, register
with the PCG.
The list of their requirements is available on
their website, here
You also have to register with the Corporate Affairs
Commission (CAC).
You can do this yourself but it is
advisable to go through a lawyer.
We must mention that according to PCG requirements, there
has to be a Pharmacist present to start and direct the
pharmacy.
If you are one, then that’s covered. If not you
could partner with one, or hire one.
All in all, make sure
that you have a qualified pharmacist.
Step 2 – Research your Pharmacy Niche
a. Should you build a pharmacy from scratch?
b. Should you buy an already existing pharmacy
c. Should you start with a franchise?
B and C both have the benefit of an already established
customer base.
With C , the name/brand is already known, so there is a
customer base already established, people will visit
because they already know the brand.
You’ll have to make
an agreement with the brand owner and stick to the
directives of the agreement.
Make sure you pick a good,
profitable pharmacy to franchise with.
B could cost the most depending on the state of the
business you’re buying.
Regardless, you can retain all the
same customers, with a business that’s already making
profits.
Similar to C , no PCG registration needed. You could
even retain employees who already work there.
With A , You have the opportunity to build the business from
the ground up.
Starting this way could take the least time to
set up and possibly the least capital.
Find out all your options before you make a choice.
Step 3 – Choose the Right Location
As part of the requirements, The PCG will carry out an
inspection of your location and decide whether it is suitable
for operation.
Finding the right location is extremely
important for your business.
You have to do proper
research into this. Being near a large hospital is usually a
good option, patients who need drugs will come to you.
Or
you could be located in a residential area, or a business
community.
Where should you set up ?
Wherever you set up, you must be easily visible, your
business should be in broad view of passers-by, so people
will notice the store.
This is crucial for a startup.
Find out if;
– There are other thriving businesses nearby. If there are
then it’s likely that the area is good for business.
Nearby
offices will also provide a potential source of customers.
– There are other pharmacies nearby. Large established
pharmacies will likely pose a lot of competition to you.
But
with better customer service and services provided, such an
obstacle can be overcome.
The building
Your focus should be maximizing the use of space.
A
structure that’s easy for your customers to move around,
and attractive too.
Ensure that there is room for parking
outside the pharmacy.
All decisions made should be
centred around ease of access and ease of use for
customers.
Step 4 – Items you Need to Buy Purchase all equipment needed
Depending on the size, all
or some of these may be needed;
– Shelves
– Computers
– Cash register
– Phones
– Chairs
Arrange the store in a way that is easy to maneuver, and
convenient to use.
Keep clutter away, make sure everything
is always neat and organized.
Step 5 – Stock up Drugs of Different Brands
This is very important.
So it’s best to work with a
reputable, reliable supplier, who’ll supply you with drugs
that carry no question marks.
You must be known for
quality products and customer service.
You also have to ensure that the supply is regular, so
you’re never out of drugs that customers need.
This is also crucial to your success.
The people you employ
must be credible, qualified and trustworthy.
If you’re a
pharmacist, you may not need to employ one, but you will
need someone to stand in for you on days when you may
not be around.
Depending on the size of your pharmacy, you may need
some or all of these;
– A pharmacist
– An accountant
– A cashier
– A stock worker
– A manager
– A security guard
It is important that you make it clear to your employees that
keeping your customers happy is the top priority.
Stock workers should keep track of the amount of drugs
remaining, reload the shelves and keep them neat and
organized.
Ensure to keep good records.
Everything should always
tally.
Step 7 – Start Marketing
Market your pharmacy before it even opens.
Implementing
good marketing and advertising strategies is important to
success.
You can partner with doctors in the area, so that
they will refer their patients to you.
Step 8 – Look for Additional Funding
This is really one of the first steps to take.
If you’re not
funding the business yourself, then you will have to raise
the capital.
You could take a loan from the bank, from
friends and family. Or you could seek out investors.
Whichever routes you choose, one of the key things to
successfully raising the money is a concrete business plan.
Banks and investors will be willing to invest knowing what
they stand to gain from doing business with you.
So,
develop an Ironclad business plan, and you’ll open doors to
achieving your goals.
There it is. With this, you should have sufficient knowledge
on how to start a pharmacy in Ghana.
All you have to do
now, is go out there and put this knowledge to good use.
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