The objective of this study is to assess the functional strategies of retail pharmacies in South Africa with a view to identify and evaluate variables which universally and significantly influence their profitability. The study devoted attention to both external, uncontrollable variables and internal, controllable variables. The functional strategies were assessed by means of management audit criteria. A sample of 800 retail pharmacies was selected from the 2 755 retail pharmacies in South Africa at the time of the study. A response rate of 32% was achieved. Multiple regression analysis was used in this study and the influences identified may be summarised as follows: Positive influences: General management : Written mission statement; Strength and weaknesses analysed. Marketing management: Location in a medical centre; Trading hours; Number of prescriptions dispensed. Personnel: Number of management courses attended. Purchasing: Purchase ratio. Financial management: Single proprietorship; Partnership. Negative influences: General management : Lack of a written mission statement. Marketing management: Location in a shopping centre; Location on the street front; Pricing by means of percentage mark-up (Pricing may be regarded as a variable related to both marketing and financial management.) Personnel: -. Purchasing: -. Financial management: Discounts afforded to medical schemes; Close corporation In order to enhance and improve their profitability, retail pharmacists should capitalise on those variables which influence profitability positively and modify those variables which were found to influence profitability negatively. Recommendations are made on how the above variables should be used to influence the profitability of retail pharmacies positively. / Business Management / D. Com. (Business Economics)

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Mémoire (M. P.M.O.)--Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, 1986. / Document électronique également accessible en format PDF. CaQCU

Orientador: Miguel Juan Bacic / Dissertação (mestrado profissional) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Mecanica / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-09T21:59:03Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Varise_EricaMaria_M.pdf: 10744836 bytes, checksum: aaad6b3c2238b57dadcf36752e7ac415 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007 / Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho consiste em descrever as possíveis formas de organização das drogarias no varejo farmacêutico e a influência que o meio externo exerce sobre elas. O estudo retrata a trajetória de drogarias em cada um dos quatro modelos estudados (Drogarias Independentes, Drogarias em Associativismos, Drogarias em Franquia e Grandes redes), enfatizando as que aderiram ao modelo do Associativismo, abrangendo o período de transição, o planejamento, a implantação, os primeiros efeitos e as medidas tomadas para ajustar e/ou modificar os resultados das primeiras experiências. Cada formato é exemplificado com a apresentação de casos, destacando as vantagens, as desvantagens e as diferenças entre eles. Descreve-se o processo de migração de parte das Drogarias Independentes para o formato em rede (Drogarias em Associativismo) e alianças por franquia (Drogarias por Franquia). Essas mudanças foram desencadeadas pela ação combinada de três fatores ambientais: pela implantação do Plano Real (devido à estabilização econômica), pela alteração das condições básicas para obter lucro (devido à perda dos ganhos inflacionários) e pelo perfil do novo consumidor (que ficou mais exigente, possivelmente devido ao Código de Defesa do Consumidor). Observou-se que as Drogarias Independentes, Drogarias em Associativismos e Drogarias em Franquia buscam as mesmas vantagens das Grandes Redes, mas não necessariamente as obtêm na mesma proporção / Abstract: The aim of this work is to describe the possible forms of organization of drugstores in the pharmaceutical retail and the influence that the external environment has on them. The study portrays the trajectory of drugstores in each of the patterns studied (Independent Drugstores, Drugstores in Associativism, Drugstores in Franchising, and Great Chains), emphasizing those which adopted the Associativism pattern, encompassing the transition period, planning, implementation, first effects, and steps taken to adjust / modify the results of the first experiences. Each format is exemplified with case presentation, highlighting advantages and disadvantages among them. The process of migration of part of the Independent Drugstores into the chain format (Drugstores in Associativism), and alliances by franchising (Drugstores for Franchising) is described. These changes were triggered by the combined action of three environmental factors: the implementation of the Real Plan (due to economic stability), changes in the basic conditions for obtaining profit (due to losing inflationary gains), and the profile of a new consumer (more demanding, possibly due to the Consumer Defense Code). It was observed that the Independent Drugstores, Drugstores in Associativism, and Drugstores in Franchising aim at the same advantages as the Great Chains, but they not necessarily get it in the same degree / Mestrado / Gestão da Qualidade Total / Mestre Profissional em Engenharia Mecanica

[Introduction] The 1980s have ushered in an era of extreme competitive pressure for the modern business organisation. In previous times many business organisations have succeeded simply because of the excellence of their products, with little concern or attention being paid to the wants and needs of potential customers. As the business environment has become more competitive, however, the point of focus has changed. There is ample evidence which suggests a correlation between success in business and firms which have adopted a marketing-orientated philosophy of business. The evolution of marketing as a discipline has been hastened in recent times by the need of the firm to survive in the face of increasing competition. This "increasing attention" is occurring because of the realisation that sheer product excellence alone will not necessarily mean that the firm will succeed in establishing a group of satisfied customers in the long term. It is the adoption of the so-called "marketing concept" which provides the opportunity for the firm to develop a competitive edge which will more likely eventuate in success.

Los modos de entrada en el plano internacional cuentan con diversas teorías. Se han realizado, asimismo, estudios generales del comportamiento de las empresas y la gran mayoría recae en que factores relacionados provienen de las características de la empresa o de las características del país destino. Sin embargo, pocos estudios profundizan sobre cierto tipo de empresas o sectores dedicados para analizar si estos factores son relevantes o no en la toma de decisión. Incluso, menos aún, analizan la percepción real de la compañía sobre la toma de decisión. El siguiente estudio se enfoca en las droguerías multinacionales que operan en el Perú, que comercializan productos farmacéuticos de marca y genéricos. Se busca conocer si las características que poseen tienen influencia o no sobre la toma de decisión para el modo de entrada que tuvieron al mercado peruano, a través de la percepción misma de las compañías. El enfoque de la investigación es de carácter cualitativo. Se realiza un estudio bibliográfico y se complementa a la par con la percepción y experiencia del mercado local obtenido a través de entrevistas de profundidad con expertos. Asimismo, se realizan encuestas a las 26 compañías que componen la muestra, para comparar sus respuestas con aquellos datos recogidos en la revisión de fuentes secundarias. / The entry modes in the international landscape have diverse theories. Even so, many general studies have been realized focused in the companies’ behavior and most of them conclude that most of the factors account for company characteristics or destination country characteristics. However, few studies have deepened in the understanding of certain companies or industrial sectors dedicated to analyze whether these factors were relevant or no in the decision making process. Moreover, even few, analyze the real perception of the company through the decision making process. The following study focuses in the multinational drugstores that operate in Peru, commercializing branded or generic pharmaceutics. The objective is to acknowledge if the characteristics these companies possess have an influence or not over the entry mode decision for the Peruvian market, through the companies own perception. This study’s approach is qualitative. It includes a literature review and complemented with the local market perception and experience through deep interviews to experts in the field. Additionally, the study surveys the 26 companies that compound this market to compare their answers with the data collected. / Tesis

Thesis (M.Tech.: Homoeopathy)-Dept. of Homeopathy, Durban Institute of Technology, 2006 xvii, 168 leaves / It was my perception, after having worked in the Complementary and Alternative Medicines Industry, that the knowledge and understanding of homeopathy by retail providers, was poor. Considering that pharmacies also sold over-the- counter homeopathic medicine, I felt it would be of value to do an empirical study in order to obtain more accurate data on this topic.

Mini-dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Masters Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Durban Institute of Technology, 2006. / Globally, complementary and alternative medicine is a rapidly expanding sector of which homeopathy and the sale of ‘over-the-counter’ homeopathic medicines is an integral part. In South Africa, the sale of homeopathic products in 2003 increased by 16.4% over figures for 2000. The sale of homeopathic medicines specifically, increased by 23% for the same period, and the sale of homeopathic medicines consists of 67% of all homeopathic products sold. The main method of distribution of these products is via retail outlets like health shops and pharmacies (Health Products Association, 2005). It is thus expected that health shop staff have a basic understanding of complementary therapies, including homeopathic medicines, due to the fact that these products are available ‘over-the-counter’ in health shops. To be effective health service providers, they are expected to understand the principles of homeopathy and its application via the available ‘over-the-counter’ homeopathic products. However, at best we can only assume the understanding that the health shop staff have. Thus, the level of understanding of homeopathy amongst health shop staff was examined through the use of a quantitative questionnaire. / M

This research studied the changes in the design of the American drug store from the 1800s to the present. The changing demands of the customer primarily have driven the design evolution. Drug stores of the nineteenth century were typically located on busy street corners alongside storefronts with similar architecture. Inside, they were long, dark, and narrow, and pharmaceuticals and goods were sold from behind glass display cases. During the first half of the twentieth century, modernization and convenience for the customer transformed the drug store into a large, bright, and open store in mall space featuring self-service, food service, and a wider variety of retail goods. The later years of the century saw a loss of food service, the construction of freestanding buildings with ample parking space at busy intersections, and drive-thru pharmacies. These changes were seen in most drug stores regardless of their geographical location in the United States. / Department of Architecture