Intro

What is a Drugstore? What are the services they serve? Where did the word Drugstore came from? Drugstore is a common American term for a type of retail store centrally featuring a pharmacy. Drugstores sell not only medicines, but also miscellaneous items such as candy, cosmetics, cleaning supplies, magazines, and paperback books, as well as light refreshments. In the mid 1980's, during the height of the "war on drugs", many stores removed the term "Drugstore" from their signage and replaced it with the more politically correct term "Pharmacy". The American drugstore also used to function as a social hub where people could meet for an Ice cream soda, as described for example in Ray Bradbury'sDandelion Wine and Tom Reamy's Blind Voices, both set in the 1920s. What is the History of Generika Drugstore? Do they offer effective medicines? Do their price is affordable?
Generika Drugstore was established in September 2003 to address the need for quality and affordable medicines, and promote the use of generic drugs in the context of high prices of medicines in the country. When Mr. Teodoro Ferrer was approaching retirement after working for more than 30 years with the Ayala Group of Companies, he was planning to venture into the real estate business taking advantage of his exposure in Ayala. However, his decision took a sudden turn when Mr. Julien Bello, his close associate in a foundation for microfinance, brought up the sad plight of many Filipinos who cannot afford to complete their medication due to the prohibitive cost of branded medicines. Fired up by the missionary vision to take concrete step that would address the dismal situation, Mr Ferrer and Mr. Bello formed Erikagen, Inc., the company that gave birth to Generika Drugstore. The companys first office was in a small 2 -bedroom apartment in Goodwill Village, Paraaque City. Progress was slow as none of the stockholders had medical background, nor were familiar with the local drug industry and the retail business. Gradually, the company built the organization by hiring pharmacists and other key employees; contacted drug wholesalers and suppliers; formulated internal company policies and procedures; opened bank accounts and made first purchases of medicines and related products. A major milestone came in May 2004 when the first Generika Drugstore outlet was opened in Montillano, Muntinlupa. Finally, the company started selling medicines to real customers. In 2006, the company put together its corporate vision, mission and core values. These statements of objectives and guiding principles comprise the roadmap and compass for Generika in the years ahead. From the beginning, the company emphasized quality generic medicines to overcome the prevailing perception of many Filipinos that generic medicines were substandard. The company also formed the Corporate Pharmacy Department with the function of screening and selecting products, and making sure that medicines sold at Generika are manufactured by reputable manufacturers. While the companys focus is on quality generic medicines, Generika Drugstore also offers select branded medicines, medical supplies, galenicals and consumer goods. An integral part of the companys corporate mission is customer satisfaction. Serving the customers needs correctly and efficiently by trained store personnel and providing friendly and professional counseling to ensure that drugs are used in the safest and most effective way possible are fundamental components of Generikas operation. Additional

services such as free blood pressure monitoring and blood sugar testing (FBS/RBS) are being offered at Generika at a minimal cost. Generika Drugstore branches are air-conditioned to maintain the efficacy and potency of medicines, and to serve the customers in a more convenient and comfortable environment. Providing quality products and services, as the company tagline Gamot at serbisyo maasahan dito says, would be key to the companys long term success with customers. As the company made headway and people began to patronize Generika, more company stores were built. But before that, the management of Generika had to learn a lot of important lessons about the retail drugstore business, especially in dealing with all kinds of customers, suppliers, government agencies and lessors. With 16 company owned stores, the company felt prepared to expand the business more aggressively. Thus in 2008, Generika took the next big step of franchising the Generika Drugstore business model. In May of that year marked the opening of the first Generika franchise store in Cubao. From a deliberately slow start, the pace of expansion has quickened as the company gained experience and confidence. The success of Generikas business model and the management behind it can be summed up by the awards and accolades that the company received over the years:

2008 National Winner in the Drugstore Chain Category given by DSAP (Drugstore Association of the Philippines) Generika President Teodoro Ferrer awarded as one of the Top 10 Outstanding Entrepreneurs in 2008 2009 BFAD (Bureau of Food & Drugs) Quality Seal Award for five Generika Drugstore branches. (Generika Soledad branch emerged as the over-all winner besting other well-established drugstores). 2009 Best in Franchising Support and Most Promising Franchise given by the Entrepreneur Magazine Generika President Teodoro Ferrer, finalist of Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year for 2010 2011 Most Promising Filipino Franchise awarded by the Philippine Franchise Association (PFA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Aside from being a multi-awarded drugstore, Generika has also introduced innovations at the store for its customers. The company launched its loyalty card called GeneriKard, which aims to provide special perks and privileges to its cardholders. With no constraints of following traditional ways of doing business, Generika has continued to innovate further in collaboration with other companies and institutions. Generika became a partner establishment of BPI Globe BanKO Inc., which is a mobile banking service targeting the low income segment. This service allows individuals to open a personal savings account at accredited Generika outlets, as well as perform cash-in and cash-out transactions. Generika has also become the first drugstore in the country to load prepaid mobile phones via Point-of-Sale (POS) technology when it started offering i-Load a proprietary mobile reloading service in partnership with the countrys three major telecommunications network: SMART, GLOBE and SUN. From its humble beginnings in 2004, Generika has set its footprints in the Visayas and Mindanao in 2011, and continues to strengthen its presence by putting up more branches not only in key cities and municipalities, but also in small towns and barangays. Franchising will be the main engine of growth for Generika in the years ahead as the company strives to achieve its vision, and serve more communities throughout the country. As of February 2013, Generika has a total of 360 stores nationwide of which 25 are company-owned stores and the rest are franchise stores. The rapid expansion of Generika Drugstore shall pave the way for quality and affordable generic medicines made accessible to everyone.

Vision: GENERIKA aims to be the leading national chain of drugstores offering quality affordable generic medicines with superior customer service, complemented by a strong sense of social purpose.

Mission:

To put customer satisfaction above all else, by serving our clients' needs efficiently and providing friendly and professional counseling. To offer the widest range of quality affordable generic medicines plus competitively-priced branded medicines and related products. To rely on motivated and capable individuals who will establish and manage franchise stores to accelerate the growth of our stores. To recognize the importance of our employees in achieving our aspirations, and to keep them highly motivated based on the principles of fair compensation, meritocracy and respect. To educate the public about quality generic medicines and to provide various community services to fulfill our social responsibilities to our countrymen.

Generika Drugstore long term goal is to be the leading national chain of drugstores offering quality affordable generic medicines. We shall offer superior customer service, complemented by a strong sense of social purpose. To reach this goal, we see franchising as the main engine of growth in the coming years as the company expands its reach in measured steps throughout the country. Aside from being a professionally-run business enterprise, a key element of Generikas corporate mission is its firm belief in social commitment and purpose. We believe in sharing. We truly want to help communities get well and stay well. As part of Generikas commitment to help others, the company grants generous discounts to medical missions of NGOs and government agencies, and our store personnel often participate in these activities.

Integrity We commit to truth and honesty in what we say and do, and practice high standards of fairness and ethics at work and in our relationships. Customer Satisfaction We serve and interact with our internal and external customers as best as we can, in a professional and friendly manner. We constantly look for innovative products and services that will answer their needs. Excellence We aim high in everything we do and continuously seek to improve our level of performance. Team work We communicate and cooperate with one another, working together in an harmonious way to achieve the company's goals. Respect for the Individual We show respect, appreciation and concern for every person. We engage in positive relationships based on mutual trust. Social Purpose We believe that it is our responsibility to help the community and our countrymen . We recognize that the nature of our business, especially the corporate focus on quality affordable generic medicines, gives us a unique opportunity to make a very positive contribution to the health of the communities that we serve. CUSTOMER SERVICE

Our store personnel serves our customers with courtesy and efficiency. Our pharmacists are always ready to provide professional counseling. Our Corporate Pharmacy Department is constantly enhancing the technical knowledge and skills of our store personnel. We give ongoing value-added services such as patient counseling, affordable fasting blood sugar test, free BP monitoring and do community outreach activities, such as Free Medical Consultations. We offer a Delivery Service for the convenience of our valued customers. We have a state-of-the-art Point of Sale system, exclusively developed for Generika Drugstores, to provide our customers with efficient service and accurate drug information. Our stores are air conditioned for the convenience and comfort of our customers. We solicit and value Customer Feedback and use it to upgrade our products and services.

PRODUCTS QUALITY

We are one of the pioneers in the retail distribution of quality generic medicines in the country. We do not compromise the quality generics medicines based on price alone. Our Corporate Pharmacy Department handles screening/testing/research of our medicines to assure our customers that only quality generic drugs are made available to them. Our central warehouse and stores are all air-conditioned in order to maintain the potency of our medicines. We only sell BFAD registered products and we are working to acquire medicines only from CGMP manufacturers. We guarantee that our generic medicines contain the same active ingredients as the branded innovator. We have the widest range of generic medicines available in the Philippines and continuously introduce new generic medicines as soon as the branded originator loses its patent.

Products and services

Generika Drugstores provide:

Generic medicines Branded medicines Galenicals Hospital supplies Consumer goods

Health services

Patient counseling Free blood pressure monitoring Blood sugar screening Libreng konsulta -- special event planned per store.

Extra Services

Delivery Service i-Load

Generika Drugstore has partnered with SMART, GLOBE and SUN that will allow customers to purchase load at any Generika Drugstore branches nationwide. Called i-Load, this add-on service of Generika gives prepaid subscribers of SMART, GLOBE and SUN with reliable and convenient way of topping up their mobile phones through Point of Sale (POS) technology. With i-Load, customers can check the amount loaded into their cellphones in two ways: via text confirmation and

through the receipt from Generika POS, which serves as an additional proof of purchase. Generika Drugstore is the first drugstore to offer mobile loading via POS as an additional service to customers.

BanKo

Generika Drugstore becomes a BPI Globe BanKo Partner Outlet for selected branches Generika Drugstore ties up with BPI and Globe to become a partner establishment offering affordable financial services to the low-income segment using cellphones, a concept known as mobile banking'. Called BPI Globe BanKO Inc., or simply BanKO, it is the first mobile-based microfinance-focused savings bank in the Philippines. Clients of BanKo can open a personal savings account at any Generika Drugstore branches that offer the service, using the G Cash Technology. They just have to bring one valid ID and sign the application form. For just an initial deposit of P50, they can have a personal savings account that comes with insurance and earns interest! Since the personal savings account requires no maintaining balance, account

holders can save as little or as much as they can. Generika Drugstore, as a partner outlet, can perform cash-in/cash-out services to clients similar to cash deposit and withdrawal transactions. Account holders can also go to Generika Drugstore BanKO partner and conveniently perform money transfer at a much affordable rate compared to current charging of money remittance centers. Other BanKo products and services will be offered soon at Generika.

Generikard GeneriKard allows loyal customer to earn points for their purchases in all Generika Drugstore.

Get special privileges/offers exclusively to Generikard. All Generika customers 18 years old and above. Senior Citizens are welcome to avail. The GeneriKard is for individual; it does not apply to institutions, foundations and organizations.

Buy a minimum of 300 pesos worth of generic medicines to get the card for free. Or buy the GeneriKard for 50 pesos Present a valid ID and submit the accomplished application form. For generic medicines, you get 1% point of the purchase amount. For example, a purchase of 75 pesos earns 0.75 point. For other items (branded medicines and consumer goods), you get 0.2% of the purchase amount. For example, a puchase of 200 pesos earns 0.4 point. All transactions earn points except for: 1) transactions below 20 pesos (net after discounts); 2) transactions with a discount exceeding 20%; 3) transactions made through delivery; 4) charge transactions 1 point is equivalent to 1 peso. The minimum transaction amount that can be redeemed is 10 points equivalent to 10 pesos.

Points are not convertible to cash. The more items you buy, the more points you earn.