Tag: Generic Medicines

  • Pharmacists, It’s Time to Own — Not Just Operate — a Pharmacy. Medkart Makes It Possible

    Pharmacists, It’s Time to Own — Not Just Operate — a Pharmacy. Medkart Makes It Possible

    get your own pharmacy

    India has over 12 lakh registered pharmacists and yet, less than 10% of them own their own stores. Most are stuck behind counters, managing someone else’s inventory, writing bills, and following someone else’s instructions.
    But what if you could take that same knowledge and experience… and turn it into your own pharmacy business?
    That’s exactly what Medkart Pharmacy is offering through its low-investment franchise model designed specifically for trained pharmacists who want to stop clocking hours and start building assets.

    First, What Are Generic Medicines and Why Do They Matter?

    Generic medicines are drugs that contain the same active ingredient as branded medicines, have the same dosage strength, the same usage, and are equally safe and effective but cost much less.
    Example :

    Branded Medicine Price Generic Version Price
    Gluconorm G1 ₹180 Metformin + Glimepiride (Generic) ₹30–40

    These are WHO-GMP certified, approved by DCGI, and widely used in :

    • Government hospitals
    • Jan Aushadhi stores
    • Prescription plans abroad (like the US, UK, Australia)

    And now, Medkart is making them accessible through its franchise stores, operated by people who understand medicine like you.

    Why Medkart Is Targeting Pharmacists

    Pharmacists already know:

    • How medicine works
    • How to manage inventory
    • How to talk to customers
    •  How to run a store — just not on paper

    What they lack is:

    •  Capital
    • Business setup experience
    • Branding and marketing
    • Supply chain control
    • Tech support

    Medkart fills all these gaps — offering a ready-to-operate franchise with full backend support. No guesswork, no burnout, just clean ownership with clear returns.

    Franchise Model at a Glance

    Feature Details
    Investment ₹11–12 lakhs (total, including interiors, stock, tech, branding)
    Break-even 6–8 months
    ROI 18 months
    Store Size Min. 220 sq. ft. on ground floor
    Compliance Licensing support provided

    You don’t need to find vendors, worry about expiry stock, or negotiate supply prices — Medkart has a central warehouse and AI-powered ordering system.

    What You Get as a Franchise Owner

    • Branded Store with Medkart’s national identity
    • WHO-GMP certified generic + branded medicines
    • Daily restocking + expiry return policy
    • Staff recruitment support
    • Proprietary AI software for inventory & sales
    • Billing system & analytics dashboard
    •  CRM & customer retention tools
    • Marketing support, audits, and growth coaching

    Why Pharmacists Love the Medkart Model

    • I already understand how pharmacies run — Medkart helped me become the boss.
    • No more guessing which medicine to stock — the software handles that.
    • I make more money now, with less daily stress.

    This is the perfect evolution for:

    • Licensed D.Pharm/B.Pharm holders
    • Store managers tired of working for others
    • Chemist counter assistants who want to grow
    • Pharma reps who understand demand but want control
    • Young pharmacy grads looking for ownership, not just jobs

    Real Stories, Real Pharmacist Success

    “After 12 years of running someone else’s store, I finally opened my own Medkart. It’s the best decision I’ve made for my career and my family.”
    — Rahul Mehta, Franchisee – Jaipur
    “I had the experience. Medkart gave me the platform. Now I serve customers the right way — and build my own brand while doing it.”
    — Sneha Solanki, Franchisee – Ahmedabad
    These aren’t unicorns — they’re just pharmacists who said “yes” to ownership with Medkart.

     Who Should Seriously Consider This ?

    • You’re a licensed pharmacist (D.Pharm/B.Pharm)
    •  You have retail medicine experience
    •  You’ve managed a store but never owned one
    • You’re financially ready to invest ₹11–12 lakhs
    • You want backend help — not backend headache

    Market Trends: Why Now Is the Right Time

    •  The Indian government is pushing generic medicine adoption
    • Urban and rural families want affordable, trusted alternatives
    • Branded medicine loyalty is falling
    •  Tech-driven retail is growing — especially in Tier 2 and 3 cities
    • Franchise-backed models are outperforming mom-and-pop setups

    This is the decade of retail healthcare in India — and pharmacists like you should be at the top, not the counter.

    Ready to Open Your Own Pharmacy?

    Stop working for someone else’s margin.
    Start your own store, with your name on the paperwork.

    Final Thoughts : From Salary Slip to Storefront

    You’ve spent years gaining medical knowledge. You understand medicines better than 99% of retail investors.
    Now is the time to use that skill to build something for yourself.
    With Medkart’s low-investment, pharmacist-friendly franchise, you get:

    • A ready-made, ethical business
    • A support system that works
    • No stocking worries
    • A brand that already saves lives — and earns well doing it

    If you’re a pharmacist who’s been waiting for the right chance — this is it.

  • Winning the Complex World of Perception and Assumptions About Generic Medicines

    We all have different notions and perceptions that we can’t let go of. They live in our minds rent-free and influence every decision we make. The worst part is that we don’t even realize it. Because these perceptions are not formed overnight, they are a summation of things we learn as we grow up, life experiences, and opinions of those we emulate or respect.

    At Medkart, we battle preconceived notions every day. In India, high-quality medications are available and affordable for everyone. But the customer perception is poised against generic medicines. The ‘branded is better’ presumption makes people pay dearly.

    That is not to say that all human beings are presumptuous or that pre-set notions can never change. It’s all about educating the customer. Building awareness brings available options to light, and experiences based on informed decisions slowly break pre-set notions. That’s when we accept new perceptions in our minds.
    And that’s our job in the Indian pharma market – Awareness, Availability, and Acceptance
    We founded Medkart in 2014 with a vision to redefine the positioning of medicines. No one has tried to focus on generic medicines in pharmaceutical retail. Doctors prescribe branded medicines because they perceive them to be better, patients purchase branded medicines because they trust their doctors, and pharmacies supply medicines that sell. In the entire ecosystem, no one raises awareness about generics, educates patients about them, or makes any effort to reduce the sizes of medical bills in India.
    We are here with the mission to become a one-stop solution for generic medicines and a trusted name for Indian patients. A place where they can compare the prescribed medicine with other names in the market and buy what they can best afford.
    When medicine is created for the first time, the original manufacturer is awarded a patent. It could be three years or more. Only the original manufacturer may make and sell the medication during this time. They create a brand name and popularize the packaging, connect with doctors who treat the ailment in question and price the medication high enough to recover their costs. This product will forever be known as the ‘patented/research version’ of the medicine.
    When this patent expires, all other pharma manufacturers are free to produce this medication. These new versions are called ‘Generic.’ Generic medications can be priced significantly lower than branded medicines – as the manufacturer did not incur any research, manufacturing, or marketing expenses. But otherwise, these medicines are equally effective, WHO-GMP approved, and completely safe to use.
    For the patient who pops the pill – there is no difference.
    Doctors advocate branded medicines based on their perception, what their peers usually prescribe, and what they think patients find most acceptable. There is also a lack of conversation about generic medicines, so doctors rarely support their use. On the other side of the table, patients are unwilling to accept or even find out more about the options of medications available. Most patients are reluctant to educate themselves unless there’s an absolute crisis or need.
    And, of course, pharmaceutical manufacturers earn better by pushing branded medicines rather than generic ones. Their vested interests encourage misinformation and thrive in the lack of awareness.
    Changing these perceptions and assumptions against generic medication is an uphill battle. But we have just begun. When you step into a Medkart store, you meet qualified pharmacists and informed staff members trained to help customers understand the medicines they buy. Our protocol is to always discuss the patient’s different medication options compared to the prescribed brand. And most important, we give patients a chance to ask questions, touch and feel generic medicines, and dispel myths before they buy anything.
    Perhaps these efforts result that Medkart having 103+ stores spread across Gujarat and in Jaipur. More than seven lakh families keep buying generic medicines from Medkart stores. Almost five thousand doctors now buy generic medication for themselves from Medkart. Collectively, we have helped Indian pharma customers save more than 350 crore rupees in medical bills. And this is only the beginning.
    In developed nations, 85% of pharma customers prefer generic medicines. The adoption rate of generic medicines in India is around 4%. We cannot expect this to rise overnight, but through our groundwork, we aim to bring it to 50% or more. When the entire medical ecosystem initiates a conversation about generic medicines and their benefits, Medkart will lead the way as a pole bearer for generics in India.

    – Ankur Agarwal
    The author is an IIM alumnus and founder of Medkart Pharmacy. He strongly believes in sharing knowledge to help people choose better especially when it comes to medicine consumption. He talks passionately about generic medicines and entrepreneurship. You can follow him on (his LinkedIn profile)