K2 Drug: 2-in-1 franchise with a social mission

Medicines account for 40 percent of the country’s healthcare spending. While there is a proliferation of drugstores in the country today, whether it’s a big drugstore or small, generics or not, the constant demand for quality yet affordable medicines remains foremost to Filipino families and communities.

Although majority of drugstores today claim to offer quality and affordable, we have to admit that these are not the only challenges. In today’s fast-paced living, consumers are constantly seeking ways to get the best quality and prices without compromising their need for accessibility, convenience and freedom for a wider choice.

Definitely, this sets apart the K2 Drug – an established community-based drugstore and convenience store in one, founded in Aug. 8, 1998 by Rebecca Bucad, a former medical representative who had the social mission and the business acumen to set up a middle-ground drugstore chain that would give communities access to quality yet affordable medicines (both generics and branded), and at the same time, cater to the community’s demand for basic convenience goods.

A typical K2 Drug outlet is a budget one-stop-shop which combines a drugstore and a convenience store. It carries both branded and generics products, ampoules, vials, Botika ng Bayan medicines, medical or hospital supplies like dextrose, anesthesia, vials, and galenicals as well as basic items like toiletries, milk, cosmetics and personal necessities.

With consumers and hospitals as their primary market, the stores are strategically located near villages, high foot and vehicle traffic areas and high-bed capacity hospitals. All their products are priced more competitive than leading drugstores, thus fulfilling its social mission of becoming a major alternative source of quality and affordable medicines and supplies.

What makes K2 Drug distinct is that it caters to a wider market – from CD to the AB market as well as secondary markets like hospitals – after all, health is the right of everyone regardless of their social status or role.

K2’s flexibility reflects in programs such as discount coupons during grand opening, 20 percent senior citizens discount, credit card facility in all stores, and their Sulit Card, a program with Pfizer where patients as well as government, private and tertiary hospitals can avail as much as 50 percent discount on all Pfizer products. K2 Drug also supports medical missions within their location.

Currently, K2 Drug boasts of 14 outlets including franchised stores in Guadalupe, Makati, and Mariveles, Bataan, owned by a Japanese franchisee, Kyo Nagami of JK Humanbond Corporation, a newly opened company outlet in Alabang, right across Asian Hospital and Ospital ng Muntinlupa and soon, in Las Pinas and Galas, Quezon City. Existing branches are also located in Angeles, Olongapo, Taft Avenue, Rizal Avenue, Dapitan, Banaue, Del Pan (Tondo), Fabella Hospital in Sta. Cruz, and their first store in Project 4, which continues to give the bigger drugstores a run for their money.

K2 Drug’s uphill journey via franchising continues with a more aggressive expansion set this year. An aspiring entrepreneur can easily own and operate this drug store and convenience store in one with a franchise fee of P300,000 for a minimum of 60 sqm. outlet. The total investment would depend on the format - a countertype drugstore or a full store that combines the drugstore and convenience store.

For those interested to be part of the growing K2 Drug franchise chain, call tel. no. 480-6352, 912-7469, 913-7271; cellphone 0920-925-9242 or email [email protected].