The Generics Pharmacy Explained

TGP Pharma Inc.
Traded As:TGP
Foundation: in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Founder:Benjamin Liuson
Locations:2,000+ (2023)[1]
Area Served:Philippines

TGP Pharma Inc. (doing business as TGP), formerly but still known as The Generics Pharmacy, is a Philippine drugstore chain.

History

The Generics Pharmacy was established by businessman Benjamin Liuson.[2] The Liusons, a traditional Chinese family has been involved in the pharmaceutical industry since 1959 through Pacific Pharma, an importer and wholesaler of drugs.[3]

In 1983, Pacific Pharma shifted to investing on generic drugs.[3] The company initially largely sold generic drugs wholesale to government hospitals.[4]

Doctors of the Philippine General Hospital would recommend their clients to buy drugs from the Liusons' company at its headquarters along Quezon Avenue in Quezon City the early 2000 despite being purely a wholesaler at the time.[5] This led to the opening of DLI Pharmacy in 2001[6] – later credited as the first The Generics Pharmacy (TGP) outlet.[5]

The pharmacy store catered to customers as far as from Bulacan, Cavite and Laguna who often request DLI to open an outlet in their area.[5] This led to the adoption of a franchising business model for DLI in 2007, allowing the opening of several outlets.[7] DLI changed its name to The Generics Pharmacy (TGP) when it became open for franchising.[6]

By 2014, The Generics Pharmacy has changed its official name to TGP with its owners believing it would promote better brand recall.[5]

By 2016, the Robinsons Retail of the Gokongwei family have acquired 51 percent stake in TGP, or a majority stake.[3] Robinsons also owns South Star Drug and Rose Pharmacy.[1]

Products

TGP primarily sells generic drugs promoting it as a cheaper alternative to branded counterparts. TGP does sell non-pharma branded drugs as well as branded pharma products with unexpired patents.[5] TGP also has its own private label drugs or "generic" products under the TGP name.[8]

Notes and References

  1. News: PCC clears Robinsons Retail-Rose Pharmacy deal . 14 October 2024 . BusinessWorld . 16 November 2023.
  2. News: A pill for every Juan . 14 October 2024 . The Philippine Star . 13 September 2011.
  3. News: Gonzales . Iris . Robinsons takes majority control of Generics Pharmacy . 14 October 2024 . The Philippine Star . 18 May 2016.
  4. News: There is good business in generics pharmacy . 14 October 2024 . The Philippine Star . 4 February 2008.
  5. News: Go . Josiah . TGP shakes up pharma market . 14 October 2024 . Philippine Daily Inquirer . 22 August 2014 . en.
  6. Web site: The Generics Pharmacy (TGP Pharma Inc) . Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards . 14 October 2024 . 31 July 2018.
  7. Web site: The Generics Pharmacy Franchise Success Story . Francorp Philippines . 14 October 2024 . en . 1 February 2020.
  8. News: Clinical study finds TGP Paracetamol equally safe and effective . 14 October 2024 . The Philippine Star . 1 May 2024.