Japanese Pharmacies Seek New Businesses As Competition Looms

Executive Summary

Japan's drugstores are looking for other markets as they anticipate a saturated market at home in the wake of new government deregulations. Many already are expanding the types of wares they sell or affiliating with large retailers. The pharmacies face a change in the law effective next spring when outlets other than pharmacies, such as department stores, are allowed to sell pharmaceuticals. Pharmacies see expansion into other markets as necessary because they would no longer be able to survive on sales of medicines alone. (Click here for more - a subscription may be required