Tesco has entered the Irish pharmacy market; the retailer opened its first two pharmacy outlets in its Tesco Extra stores in Naas, Co Kildare and Balbriggan, Co Dublin, last week. The retailer plans to open 15 outlets in the country over the next few years.
The pharmacies will offer both prescription and over-the-counter medicines to customers; they will also offer blood pressure monitoring, cholesterol and diabetic and a weight management service in association with Tesco Diets. The new Tesco pharmacies are expected to significantly undercut other pharmacy stores. Tesco said it would charge a retail mark-up of 20 per cent and a dispensing fee of €3.50 per item, (as recommended by the HSE), reported the Irish Independent. The President of the Irish Pharmacy Union, Dara O’Loughlin, said he was concerned about how many independent pharmacists might lose their jobs following decision by Tesco to enter the Irish market.
The Consumers' Association of Ireland has welcomed the competition into the Irish market. (9 Nov)
© 2011 - ESM: European Supermarket Magazine
