Drugstore chains grow while independent drugstores disappear

Sensiblu, Help Net and Centrofarm recorded sales increases
ranging from 20 to 40% in the first nine months of this year
compared with the similar period of 2008 amid an elimination of the
cap on subsidised drugs and the expansion recorded in the second
half of last year. On the other hand, independent drugstores are
preparing for shutdowns amid difficult circumstances generated by
the extended deadlines for payment. According to a survey conducted
by the Romanian Academic Society (SAR), around 10% of drugstores in
Romania have been brought before court for defaulting on their
payments. Sensiblu, market leader with 220 drugstores, saw a 41%
turnover rise to 573.7 million RON (135 million euros), whilst Help
Net rose by 23% to 50 million euros. Companies such as Sensiblu and
Help Net have joint shareholders with large distributors, so they
have the necessary financial support. Centrofarm is the chain that
has seen the biggest expansion over the last few years. “We opened
23 drugstores last year, more than half of which in the second half
of the year,” Dorin Catana said, explaining the company’s
performance.