Dialforhealth-Green Cross Pvt Ltd (DGC) is planning to increase the total number of its franchisee outlets to 300 in another 12 months from the present 30. The company was floated late last year as a 50:50 JV, with an initial investment of Rs. 50 lakh from both the parties involved.

DGC is India's first retail pharmacy chain formed as a result of merger of Zydus' Dialforhealth and Green Cross an association of retail pharmacy members of MSCDA (Maharashtra State Chemists and Druggists Association). The chain works on a franchisee model.

"After our official launch in April 2005, we plan to expand our total number of franchisees to 300 by April 2006. In another two years, this will be doubled to 600 franchisees," said VK Sharma, GM, operations, Dialforhealth.

The company is planning to invest Rs. 25-30 crore in its expansion plans, it is learnt.

Any of the current MSCDA members in the state owning a computerised shop with a space of 250 sq ft, willing to employ at least one pharmacist for a day shop and three pharmacists for a D/N shop and willing to partially air condition his shop can become the shareholder of the company.

The marketing and promotional activity of the company, software installations to monitor inventories and training and support of the new franchisees will be undertaken by Dialforhealth, said Sharma. The shop in term has to pay a certain royalty to Dialforheath at the end of the year.