These type of sales outlets operate either as wholesalers, retailers, or both and are estimated to be no less than 15,000 stores nationwide. They carry in their establishments assorted merchandise from ethical, OTC, or proprietary drug products to galenicals, chemical reagents, toiletries, and skin care lines. Some even carry healthy foods, fluids, and grocery items—particularly those that operate a large chainstore operation. Mercury Drug Corporation, which has more than 200 branches and franchises all over the country, carries in their superstores or self-service stores, a wide range of goods including grocery items, and in some branches and franchises, photocopying machines, ATM’s, watch repair shops, and the like are included. Merced Drug chainstores in Metro Manila, carries FOTO-ME services in their outlets as an added service feature to customers. In Divisoria, Manila, the big wholesalers operate purely on wholesale basis, catering to small drugstores, trading and sari-sari stores, peddlers and retailers coming from nearby provincial areas.
Drugstores (Community Pharmacy)