Evaluation Of Value-Added Services And Challenges Encountered By Community Pharmacies Of Sangli District Of India

Abstract

Retail pharmacy is known as community pharmacy. The management of retail pharmacy is challenging due to various operational and strategic factors. This study aims to evaluate value added services as well as factors affecting community pharmacy practice and to explore potential solutions to resolve these problems. The study focuses on the impact of organized pharmacy and online pharmacy on community pharmacy practices. The study is both explorative and descriptive in nature. A survey method was used to conduct the research study. A total of 157 community pharmacists participated in the survey carried out for 5 months from 1^st May 2021 to 30^th September 2021. Sale of the pharmacy was associated with value added services as well as challenges faced by community pharmacists. Organized pharmacy and online pharmacy are major challenges for community pharmacies. Fake online pharmacy is an emerging issue these days. To save Indian Traditional Pharmacy Retail Market, there is need of brick-mortar format to upgrade to brick-click format. The practice of brick-click may save business of lacs of retail pharmacies and strengthen them to compete with multinational online pharmacies. Brick-click format may create awareness about fake drugs and save millions of lives.