Big Retail Pharmacy players of 12-15 In India with a growth rate of 30% will account for $9 billion by 2011

Unorganised Retail Outlets, FDI Norms, Lack of Weak Legislation hamper the Growth of Major Pharma Biggies Like Apollo, Guardian, Medplus, Trust, Religare in the Fiercely Competative Indian Market. End Quote

(1888PressRelease) February 09, 2011 - Pharmaleaders on the eve of the Nation's much awaited India Leadership Awards (www.indialeadershipawards.com ) to be held in Mumbai on 22nd April 2011 today released an exclusive report on the leading players of Retail Pharmacy with their strong presence in the highly unorganized Indian market. As roughly 4000 Organized players are trying to mark their distinctive mark in thir effort to consolidate, the stage is now set for a bitter rivalry & competition. Ranked thirteenth in terms of value, and fourth in terms of volume, it is estimated to be ranked amongst the top ten markets, by 2015 Retail pharmaceutical sector in India is highly fragmented, and the unorganized channel of pharmaceuticals currently dominates this space commanding over 97% of the total market share The total retail pharmacy market has been growing at an average of 18% per annum over the last few years, and is anticipated to grow by even higher numbers in the future Organized retail pharmacy however, as a subset, has been growing at an average of 25%, and is expected to grow between 35 - 40% in this next decade.

The sector currently has nearly 15 layers serving through an aggregate of 2000 stores across the country Both, the number of players and the total stores in operations shall increase with the increase in investments in this sector Analyst's consensus suggests the retail pharma sector would witness investments in excess of USD one billion over the next few years High margins of 25-35% make the retail pharmacy a very lucrative business in India With increasing consciousness and disposable incomes, the organized pharmacy business shall experience plenty of opportunities for growth.

Challenges facing Indian retail industry are
* The tax structure in India favors small retail business
* Lack of adequate infrastructure facilities
* High cost of real estate
* Dissimilarity in consumer groups
* Restrictions in Foreign Direct Investment
*Shortage of retail study options
* Shortage of trained manpower
* Low retail management skill.

The pharma retail sector in India, so far dominated by unorganized players, is expected to see a shakeup and consolidation soon. Big retail chains and other organized players have invested long term in it and are going about changing the business landscape. The key players and their growth and expansion plans & Challenges and benefits to the Indian Consumer are going to be a big challenge as there are some unorganized players are coming in small small groups with minimum capitals. They are enjoying the Customer support in plenty in sharp contrast to the Big Major Pharma Retailers featured in the latest edition of Pharma Leaders Magazine ( www.pharmaleaders.co.in) , A division of Network 7 Group, the flagship company of Indian Affairs Magazine ( www.indiaaffairs.in ) such as Medicine Shoppe, Apollo Pharmacy, Subiksha Pharmacy, Reliance Retail, Himalaya, Fortis, Guardian, Health & Glow, MedPlus, Trust, Dial for Health, Religare amongst others despite their many Schemes & "Discounted Pricing Strategy". Lately one of the big Players in the Market went into offering Life Membership Cards with Credit facilty, a move that was hitherto unknown in the sector.

As stated above, the retail channel of pharmacy currently is not open for Foreign investments The government has allowed 100% FDI for the pharmaceutical sector, which are tagged as single brand stores Retail pharmacy falls under multi brand stores, FDI options for which at present are still being reviewed by the concerned authorities Pharmacy stores require a license to set up shop as well as to sell drugs in India FDA (Food and Drug administration) grants licenses to those willing to enter the retail pharmacy business Licenses are issued as per the provisions of the Food and cosmetics act, 1940 No license is however required for the sale of Ayurveda products The store format and the area of the store are critical determinants in the retail pharmacy sector . As for the area, a minimum carpet area of ten square meters is mandated Factors such as the availability of controlled temperatures for storage of drugs, is also one of the primary requirements, as a majority of drugs lose their effectiveness if not stored under the prescribed temperatures We thus see, that all organized retail pharmacy stores discussed in this report have highlighted the fact that they operate through stores that possess proper storage facilities Reality Check : APOLLO PHARMACY, A Division of the Apollo Hospitals enterprises - Asia's largest healthcare Group India's first and largest branded pharmacy network Over 1000 stores serving 24 hours daily First pharmacy store opened in Chennai in the year 1983 Operating in 17 states across India Provides genuine medicines from leading manufacturers Pharmacy outlets manned by qualified and trained pharmacist VALUE ADDED SERVICES Personalized pharmacy - refilling services Free health camps Toll free Helpline services Free health insurance on purchases over INR 6000 in a year Health newsletters 24 hours store operations TIE UPS Owned Hospitals ITC E-Choupals Godrej Aadhar STORE FORMATS Shop in Shop Hospitals High Street Stores
GUARDIAN PHARMACY , a Six year old retail chain in India offering Pharmacy, Wellness, Health and Beauty products Currently serves through 230 outlets Aims to have 400 operational stores by 2012 Has presence in 26 cities, spread across North, East and West India Stores have an international look and feel Stores managed by professionally trained pharmacists VALUE ADDED SERVICES Advisory services on drugs and their usage Maintain record of customer's medicine requirements Guardian Xtravalu cards: Help earn points every time a customer shops Monthly health magazine: Guardian Health Chronicle Senior citizen discounts: 10% discount on medicines and an additional 1% discount on prescription medicines Free health Check up camps Community service: Provide cut strips of medicines to NGOs Online shopping option TIE UPS Individuals Corporates Retailers STORE FORMATS High Street stores Malls Neighborhood stores .HEALTH & GLOW , a Joint venture in India between Dairy Farm International holdings ltd of Hong Kong and Arko ltd Headquartered in Bangalore Largest organized health and wellness player in South IndiaCurrently has 65 operational stores across four cities Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai and Mumbai Aims to have over 200 stores operational in the near future .

It has Drug advisory services of International ambience with well qualified & trained staff for specialist care Home Delivery Gift coupons TIE UPS Individuals Corporate Retailers STORE FORMATS Express stores Concept stores Malls Hypermarkets Supermarkets RELIGARE WELLNESS , a Part of the Religare group, which amongst other business interests carries the 'Fortis' brand Pioneering endeavor within India's healthcare industry putting health solutions on the retail map. Incorporates setting up of a Pan India World Class Retail Network of health stores that would provide comprehensive solutions under one roof Hopes to have a chain of 1000 complete health stores all across India covering 400 cities by 2012 Stores managed by professionally trained employees VALUE ADDED SERVICES SRL Collection center Health food & Supplement advisory Ayurveda & Homeopathy advisory Customer loyalty programs: points on purchase Free Home delivery 24 hours operational stores TIE UPS Individuals Hospitals Corporates STORE FORMATS Hospitals Company owned stores Franchisee stores

MEDPLUS , Established in the year 2006 with the aim of eliminating the risk of consumers purchasing fake drugs First store opened in Hyderabad in February 2006 Presently serves through over 800 pharmacy stores in five states covering 98 cities and towns in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu Owns India's first exclusive hospital pharmacy chain - RiteCure Launched state-of-the-art diagnostic lab services which can aid in the prevention, detection, or management of a wide range of illnesses Guided by three themes - quality, convenience, and low prices Market share: 30% of the organized retail pharma market VALUE ADDED SERVICES Eleven integrated health centers Community Care initiative: Help reduce the pain of finding a good doctor Strive to Ensure Genuine medicines, accurate lab tests, and experienced doctors Points based program: accumulate points on purchase which can be redeemed for gifts at a later stage Convenient locations Discounts on medicines, lab tests Free lab test vouchers on purchase of medicines TIE UPS Retailers STORE FORMATS High street stores Shop in Shop. HIMALAYA HEALTHCARE , a Part of the Himalaya drug company that was founded in 1930 Specializes in extending only Ayurvedic products to consumers Serving across 71 countries Converted Ayurveda's herbal tradition into a complete range of proprietary formulations dedicated to healthy living and longevity VALUE ADDED SERVICES Online purchase option Global product delivery model Monthly contests: 'Himalaya Babies of the month Contest' Toll free phone number for Ordering within India Personalized messages for gifting Himalaya products Exhaustive Ayurveda knowledge bank on website TIE UPS Individuals Manufacturers Retailers Doctors STORE FORMATS Shop in shops Online purchase options High street stores

TRUST Chemists & Druggists, Karnataka's leading Pharmacy Chain developed with a conceptualized on the foundation of consumer needs; everything from medicines to preventive care, specified medications to community health camps Bangalore's largest walk-in one-stop drugstore - a pharma brought to perfection with its drive to provide for, and its dedication to consumer service. Single largest Retail Chain of organized Medical Shops in Karnataka Over 80 stores in Bangalore and Chennai Over 20,000 stock keeping units VALUE ADDED SERVICES Free height and weight check ups Free health camps for diabetes, blood pressure, bone density, dental and eye care Weekly consultations with a professional dietitians 24 hours home delivery Monthly offers on consumer goods Offers 1st of its kind 'Trust Credit card' for trust customers in association with Axis Bank TIE UPS Hospitals Sri Chandanmal Boathra Charitable Medical Centre, providing free medical care for the poor I-mint so as for customers to earn points on every purchase STORE FORMATS High street stores Concept stores Shop in shops DIAL FOR HEALTH DESCRIPTION An ISO 9001:2000 organisation, and headquartered in Ahmedabad, has set up several professionally managed pharmacy stores in Mumbai and Pune Established so as to do away with the service-gaps prevalent in the Indian retail pharmaceutical market 'Good Purchasing Practices', whereby the company purchases drugs directly only from wholesalers who have been authorized by manufacturing companies of repute Started operations in from Mumbai in May 2001 Presently 10 stores in aggregate located in Mumbai and Pune. The company has strategic expansion plans VALUE ADDED SERVICES Heath desks at all stores Telephonic orders & Home delivery Free routine checkups for regular customers Health camps Detailed healthcare for regular customers TIE UPS Physicians Hospitals Individuals STORE FORMATS High Street stores ZYDUS WELLNESS, headquartered in Ahmedabad, is the Consumer products business division of the Zydus Cadila group Spearheads the group's presence in the consumer and wellness segment Aims to promote 'healthy living' by anticipating the emerging and day to-day needs in dietetic / health foods The Company is focused on empowering individuals who wish to adopt healthy eating habits and lifestyles. Offers healthier dietary options to the consumers First pharmacy brand to be listed on the Bombay and National stock exchanges Serves directly in over 850 towns through over 500 strong field force VALUE ADDED SERVICES Qualified pharmacists at all stores Health advisory services Regular discounts and offers Large well designed & organized stores Telephonic orders TIE UPS Institutions Retailers Chemists STORE FORMATS Shop in shop Retail stores High street stores RELIANCE WELLNESS , a division of Reliance retail, a subsidiary of Mukesh Ambani led Reliance Industries limited Aims to add value to people's lives by providing products and services that proactively work to enrich people's body, mind and soul One of the latest entrants in the retail pharmacy market. Opened its latest store measuring 3100 sq. ft. in Mumbai in July last year. Shall open 1200 stores by 2012-2013 Includes over 8000 stock keeping units (SKU) Well qualified pharmacists and Optometrists available at the store VALUE ADDED SERVICES Medication compliance program: Reminder service, which facilitates convenient & on time replenishment of their health related products Wellness Events Local Health directory: Information of local hospitals & doctors for providing convenience to the consumers seeking specialist health services Free cashless accidental insurance upon their level of purchase Wellness Newsletter Reliance One: Common loyalty program enabling customers to earn and redeem points across all Reliance retail outlets TIE UPS Individuals Reliance group Employees STORE FORMATS Speciality stores Company owned GLOBAL HEALTHLINE Chain of retail pharmacy stores branded as 98.40 Brand of Global Health line, promoted by Global Influence group International presence with domestic operations in Delhi and NCR and overseas operations in Europe and Middle East Established in the year 2002 Well educated pharmacists attend to customers walking in the company's aesthetically beautiful stores 30 stores across the capital region and intends to open near about 400 stores by 2014 Mastered the aspects of pharmaceutical supply chain Centralized distribution process and location specific warehouses to ensure faster delivery of products and merchandise to stores VALUE ADDED SERVICES Qualified pharmacists at all stores Health advisory services Regular discounts and offers Large well designed & organized stores Telephonic orders TIE UPS Manufacturers STORE FORMATS Company Owned Shop in shops Institutions HETERO PHARMACY, a Division of Hetero Drugs, the parent company established in 1993 is one of the largest Indian pharmaceutical companies with over 2000 crores in revenues and employs more than 5000 employees. Hetero is a vertically integrated pharmaceutical company and is a leading player in API's and finished dosages. Hetero supply's API's and finished dosages to major domestic and international generic companies. Hetero operates in more than 200 countries and its manufacturing facilities meet various national and international standards including USFDA. Hetero has a portfolio of more than 200 products and is a leading company in bringing new generic molecules to the market.

About Pharmaleaders Magazine
Pharmaleaders Magazine is a leading Bi-monthly title in print & in digital print is a leading voice for the healthcare Industry ( www.pharmaleaders.co.in ) . Pharmaleaders Magazine is a Division of Indian Affairs Magazine Group ( www.indianaffairs.in ) with a strong presence in the senior leaders of the Industry has been bringing out ground-breaking stories on Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals. With an unbiased approach & independent voice, Pharmaleaders Magazine has established a strong & formidable space in acting as a influential voice to address the growing needs of the pharmaceutical Companies in India to the various statutory bodies. With a strong international presence & big space in domestic market, Pharmaleaders has emerged out as a force to reckon with. Its Annual Leadership Meet called Pharmaceutical Leadership Summit & Awards is a much awaited events amonst the professionals of the Pharma Industry.

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