Market Overview

With the ease of stringent pandemic measures, the volume of prescriptions handled increased at existing stores, and incremental sales has been generated by new store openings, including M&A. For these reasons, many dispensing pharmacy management companies anticipate recovery in sales for FY2022 from the preceding fiscal year.

Noteworthy Topics

“Function Enhancement” and “Human Resource Development” Required for Dispensing Pharmacies

While opinions vary for ideal state of onsite dispensing pharmacies (dispensing pharmacies found within the premises of hospitals) in response to the revision of dispensing fees in 2022, dispensing pharmacy management companies are forecasted to increase onsite pharmacies for upcoming years, from the standpoint of improving patient convenience and supporting community-based medical care.

Moreover, it is expected that the revisions to dispensing fees will continue to create tough situation for major dispensing pharmacy chains. Regardless of business size, dispensing pharmacy management companies need to recognize that all governing policies hereafter will be based on “The Vision of Pharmacies for Patients”. Revisions and additions to dispensing fee system will be conducted from the standpoint of changing “from medicinal drug-centered to patient-centered" as well as "from location-oriented to function-oriented".

Dispensing pharmacy management companies are required to “enhance functionality of pharmacies” to address the standards set forth in 2021 that certifies dispensing pharmacies as “specialized medical institution cooperation pharmacy”, “regional cooperation pharmacy”, or “health support pharmacy”. In addition, they need to invest in “human resource development” by accumulating knowledge and securing pharmacists for the purpose of becoming family pharmacists and family pharmacies. 

Since evaluation of dispensing pharmacies will be based on the functions and skills of pharmacists, being capable of innovation to standout from peers will be critical for dispensing pharmacy management businesses.

Future Outlook

As separation of dispensary from medical practice proceeds and the number of pharmacies increase, the room for new store openings is steadily shrinking in the domestic dispensing pharmacy market. Increasing sales on the back of series of new store openings, as seen in the past, has become difficult. Under the circumstances, reinforcing family pharmacist and pharmacy functions of stores, expanding sales of existing stores, and increasing market share in the region has increased importance than ever.

Research Outline