Choppies Group has branched into pharmacy retailing with the first Pulse pharmacy having been officially launched at their Fairgrounds supermarket. Choppies group has aligned itself with global retail trends by providing pharmaceutical services in their stores.
The inclusion of pharmacy in supermarkets is expected to provide the community with a viable, affordable and more sustainable network of pharmacy dispensing services.
This is a motivating factor to both government and other stakeholders in the face of challenging and demanding health care system, said Gaotlhaetse Matlhabaphiri, the Assistant Minister of Health.
Pharmacy services, enveloped within supermarkets, will improve local access for rural and remote regions and communities.
“There has been a great concern with service provision gap that has been there for a long time in the pharmaceutical service mainly due to a shortage of pharmacists in the country,” he said.
Matlhabaphiri said the challenge is not only evident in government health facilities but also in the private sector .This move by choppies is expected to reduce pharmaceutical costs to governments.
“It is very encouraging that Choppies has come up with this initiative to assist government by bringing service closer to the people,” he said.
He added that achieving vision 2016 goals is a journey that needs full participation from everyone.
“This initiative is very much fitting and well timed,” he noted.
The retail chain pharmacy business model by Choppies group is nothing new in this world and has been proven to work excellently in the healthcare service provision in the world.
“Its adoption in Botswana healthcare system is a true evidence of total commitment of ensuring quality health service delivery for all,” he said. The pharmacy hours will be 8am to 8pm.
The project has long been approved by the ministry of health in July 2010 and has taken Choppies two years before opening its first retail pharmacy. Pulse Pharmacy will be dedicated to the health and wellness of its customers.
Choppies has been a good service provider to the nation and has also been taking the leading role in giving back to the communities.
“We are aiming at being part of the building the nation by 2016,” said Baone Ramaselesele, the Human Resource manager at the Choppies Group of Companies.
Ramaselese said Choppies group has taken the decision to provide customers with a medical facility by opening this pharmacy and others that will follow.
“We hope this program will offer added convenience and value to our customers during these challenging economic times,” he said.
“This pharmacy will assist our customers to a great deal as it will be operating simultaneously with the stores allowing them to get medical products at anytime with considerate services and competitive prices,” he said.
He highlighted that operating this pharmacy will reach out to other communities and villages which are less privileged because of lack of such medical facilities. Choppies stores are widely spread in Botswana.
