Outlet Pharmacy: The Death of Real Pharmacy?
Fiona Sartoretto Verna
I help pharmacy owners transform their businesses into unique Health centers through innovative design and brand strategies | Architect Pharmacy Design Expert | Entrepreneur |2000+Pharmacies Ｂｏｏｋ Your Ｃａｌｌ :))
Pharmacy or Warehouse? The Future We Don't Want
During my trip to Arab Health in Dubai, I stumbled upon something that left me speechless.
A pharmacy outlet—yes, an outlet—opened just six months ago by the Indian chain Life. But calling it a pharmacy is a stretch.
This is not a place of care, expertise, or patient trust. It’s a bulk warehouse on the road, selling to both customers and competing pharmacists at rock-bottom prices—not just because of high volumes, but because some products are close to expiration.
If this is the future of pharmacy, I want no part of it.
What Is a Pharmacy in 2025?
After COVID, independent pharmacists worldwide started expanding spaces, integrating services, and turning their pharmacies into true health hubs. The shift has been medical, not just commercial.
Because let’s be honest—purely commercial pharmacies are doomed: Price wars between chains. E-commerce giants slashing margins. Insane delivery speeds competing with each other.
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This is what happens when pharmacies stop being healthcare providers and become retail warehouses.
What’s the Alternative?
A Professional Pharmacy—not a stockroom with a cash register. Diagnostics, Prevention & Well-being at the core. Expert-led services rather than mindless price cuts. A patient-centric model, not a race to the cheapest pill.
So, I ask you—what is pharmacy to you in 2025? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Drop a comment and let’s start a conversation or see you facetoface in Ny ( Feb 16-18) and Clearwater, FL for the NCPA multiple locations conference ( Feb 19-22 ):
RX Ownership Start Up Specialist at McKesson
1 周The state of Idaho has granted full prescriptive authority to pharmacists. Excited to see what happens in that state and how far the concept spreads
Pharmacist @ BinSina Pharmacy | Doctor of Pharmacy - PharmD
1 周Some of the biggest chains have ruined the concept of a community pharmacy. Pharamcy is a place where patients come not only to take their prescribed medications but also to talk about their health related problems. Those chains want their pharmacist or sales staff to take maximum advantage of their desperation or need. This seems one of them. This ugly transformation has made us seen these kind of worst things along with many. Pharamcy as a profession is in great trouble and there seems a no way out of it.
President at TCE Group - PK+ Telehealth - 2MDOpinion - AMB Wholesale
2 周A virtual pharmacy provide patients seemles access, 24 hrs availablilty, supreme privacy and at most convenience
Insurance Manager | Binsina Pharmacy Group
2 周It's sad to see some pharmacies becoming discount shops, prioritizing profit over patient care, this undermines the core values of pharmacies and maximizes medicine waste.
Business Development Manager @ Al Khayyat Investments (AKI) | B.SC Pharmacy
2 周It is very disappointing to see such behaviours , they consider priee war rather than the Patient centeric and service.