The Chemists and Druggists Association - retail(C&D Retail), a Chennai based trade body for small retail drug stores, has launched a move to bring all small retail drug stores under one brand name by forming a retail store chain called Medi Linc. The process of registering the brand name is in progress.

The main objective behind the move is to ensure the survival of small retail stores in the midst of sudden growth of big retail pharmacy chains in the state. All the members of the C&D Retail will strongly support this move. The members of the C&D Retail shops will initially display boards in front of the shop with a mention of 'A Group of Medi Linc'. The shops can continue with the same name of the shop and no need to change their licenses too. Neither the constitution nor the ownership would be affected.

Speaking about the move, N Balaraja, general secretary of C&D Retail Association said, "All the retail shops are brought under one roof in the form of a retail stores chain. We can advertise using the brand name and we will be charging Rs 5000 from each member for the same at a later stage. Such a chain approach should improve their business too. Shop owners who are interested in joining the chain of retail stores have to pay Rs 150 towards the Association."

He said that the growth of chain retail stores of big companies was affecting small drug retailers for some time. As it was difficult for individual retail stores to struggle against the big retailers with strong financial strength, it was better to unite together and compete against them. Moreover with the brand name the retail stores can ask for discount from distributors by ordering bulk quantities of drugs as is being done by big retail chains.

"It is important for the government to safeguard the small pharmacy stores as they understand the needs of the local people. Moreover it is the individual pharmacies which can provide better service to the people and they are more dedicated towards their profession and the owners themselves are involved in attending to the customers," he said

"Only if the shop owners and the pharmacists stand united can the business expand and only then we will be able to face the competition from the big chain retail stores." said G Palani president of C&D Retail Association. He said that using this brand name more awareness about the role of the pharmacist could be imparted to the public and even refresher courses would be conducted for the pharmacist.