Biedronka stores may soon house pharmacies

Puls Biznesu has learnt that at the beginning of June the investor established a company called Bliska Apteka, with its seat in Warsaw, and took over all 5,000 shares with initial capital of zl.250,000. Yesterday, the Competition and Consumer Protection Office (UOKiK) gave the green light to Farmindustria-Investimentos Participacoes e Gestao, a company controlled by the Portuguese association of pharmacy owners, to take over 50% of shares in the venture. According to analysts, the company's plans for the new network of pharmacies are ambitious, as the number of Biedronka stores stands at 830 and each one could theoretically also leave some room for a pharmacy.According to the daily a pilot program will be launched within a few weeks, which envisages opening two pharmacies in Warsaw and another two in Łódz. (Puls Biznesu, p.9) A.K.