Following the footsteps of the retailers of Mumbai, the chemists in the capital city are working on the possibilities of coming under one corporate structure to withstand any possible competition from organized retail drug chains like Medicine Shoppe. The Retailers and Distributors Chemists Association of National Capital Territory of Delhi, the representative body of drug traders in the state, has formed a core group to look into the prospects of such a new entity. The RDCA would soon appoint an expert consultant to prepare a detailed project report, it is learnt.

Confirming the move, Sandeep Nangia, president RDCA said that the company, to be floated by the association, would be an independent entity and would not have any links with the retailing company floated by Mumbai chemists.

"The Maharashtra model would serve as a prototype for our project. We would adopt all good policies followed by the company there. But apart from that, there is no link between the two projects," he informed. According to Nangia, plans for such a company started as long as five years back, but never materialized. "There are no multinational drug retails chains competing with us in Delhi. We are planning the company as a futuristic option. The situation is totally different in Mumbai, which had made them make the first move. We intend to have the company in shape by 2005," he said.

The RDCA is in the process of enrolling more members into the initiative. "The association members will be given preference, but others are also going to be part of the initiative. A standard guideline will be framed for every member of the new company. Every retail outlet should look identical so as to promote the brand image," he explained.

The association is also to go for the development of new software that can help e-link the entire transactions in the franchises that are to function under the banner of the new company.

Interestingly, RDCA also has a fascination for "Green Cross" to be part of the name of the new company. However, it will have no connection with "Green Cross Healthcare Pvt Ltd" floated by the Mumbai chemists. There are about 10,000 drug trade license holders in the NCT region of Delhi. The number of retailers is about 4500.