New Concept for Independents (NCI), a marketing group for independent pharmacies, is to offer its members an e-commerce solution, including delivery of orders if required.
Mr Pritpal Thind, MRPharmS, (marketing director, NCI) told The Journal on March 13 that the group currently had about 500 members and a waiting list of over 200. The group was aiming to have 2,000 members in total. The company specialises in promoting branded over-the-counter medicines through pharmacies, producing point of sale materials. Members are able to order the brands being promoted at discounted rates through their normal suppliers.
Now the company is moving into e-commerce for independent pharmacies. Mr Thind said that the company had produced an internet pharmacy template which independents would be able to customise with their own details. NCI would promote pharmacies to their local customers. Members would be charged a set-up fee of £250. NCI would also undertake local deliveries of orders placed through the websites, if members wanted, using a courier company.
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NCI promotes branded products through independent community pharmacies
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Mr Thind said that the first four pharmacies would go live on the internet in April. These included his own pharmacy, Care Grange Pharmacy, at Shepherds Bush, west London.
Mr Thind added that a suggestion had been made that pharmacists should establish a company, through the National Pharmaceutical Association, to undertake e-commerce for independent pharmacies. A capital investment of £1,000 for this had been proposed. His company was offering to do this now for only £250, he said.
NCI can be contacted on 020 8746 0402 (website www.nci-pharma.co.uk).
