OPENING A PHARMACYProfitable solutions for pharmacies!

If you wish to set up a pharmacy or develop a network, your knowledge must be backed up by professional legal, financial and logistic advice. Ianson provides you with core information and due diligence so that your business lasts and makes profit as longer as possible.

Laws on the setting up of pharmacy
Pursuant to Companies Law no. 31/1990, pharmacies in Romania are incorporated as trading companies active in the retail sale of pharmaceutical products.The special regulations are provided for in Law no. 266/2008 and Health Minister’s Order no. 962/2009.
The community pharmacy carries out business under a trade licence released by the Ministry of Public Health and is run by a registered pharmacist and member of the Romanian College of Pharmacists.
The setting up, operation and organization of the drug store, as well as the change of drug store trade licences are regulated by the Ministry of Public Health.

Necessary paperwork to open a pharmacy
-Type form – please unload pdf -List of required documents - please download pdf
-Technical brief on the pharmacy`s space
The documents must be referred to the Ministry of Health which delivers the Trade Licence after the ministerial personnel submits a favourable inspection report.

Ianson provides all the information and services you need to safety start your business:
1. Choice of space
The premises and the area are important to a pharmaceutical business and require a number of conditions:
-Surface area: minimum 55 square meters.
-Position: close to food markets, bakeries, food stores and sanitary units, especially family doctor practices. Intensive pedestrian flow areas, pedestrian crossings, public transport stations and car parks
-Demography: age, income level, flat owners or tenants, etc.
-Architecture: large display window, large and light-flooded dispensing area
-Area saturation level, competition.
Except on rare occasions (such as the opening of public attractions), the relocation of the pharmacy should be considered if it does not reach the minimum target sales within 1 year.

2. Financial analysis
-The revenue of the nearby competition – official records;
-Start-up costs and return on investment;
-Revenue projections for at least 2 years up to BEP (break-even point);
-Upkeep costs: rental, overhead and staffing, marketing;
-Planned mark-up by area and by structure of products sold.

3. Preparation of Business Plan
-Budget;
-Drafting of documents for legal company or business unit incorporation;
-Documents for specialized agencies (College of Pharmacists, NHIHs, Ministry of Health, etc);
-Architectural plan, furniture and retail areas;
-Administrative documents: utility contracts, registration of electronic cash registers, security systems, approvals and permits for interior design and illuminated signs, etc;
-The demand for materials and equipment;
-Staff employment and training;
-Supplier contracts;
-Preliminary marketing;
-Pharmacy`s signage.

4. Budget Estimation (Simulation)
-Trade Licence EUR 60,000 -150,000 according to town
-Warranties and prepaid rent EUR 4,000 – 5,000
-Interior design EUR 7,000 – 30,000 (approx. EUR 100 - 250 / sq.m)
-Furniture and fit-out EUR 5,000 – 40,000
-Taxes EUR 1,000 – 1,500
-Signage + marketing EUR 2,000 – 4,000
One would need minimum EUR 20,000 to start, without taking into account the collection of the trade licence and the cost of initial merchandise. A minimum amount of EUR 30,000 would be required to order the first stocks, although you may pay for a part of it as you sell. The amount of EUR 27,000 without stocks would be enough in average to start a pharmacy business.