In Business news

Follow this topic

Bookmark

Record learning outcomes

Avicenna Membership Services has split from the Avicenna retail pharmacy operation to become a separate company following its acquisition by Nafinco, a Dutch pharmacy buying group.

Former sales and purchasing director of the combined group, Brij Valla, becomes managing director of Avicenna Membership Services, with Salim Jetha continuing as chairman, providing continuity of leadership to ensure a smooth transition for the business.

The new company will hold a full procurement mandate on behalf of members. This includes responsibility for negotiating terms with wholesalers, managing brand deal strategies, securing direct deals with manufacturers, and overseeing all aspects of stock acquisition.

“The consolidation of purchasing power will not only drive better commercial terms but also deliver wider benefits to all members through more competitive pricing, improved availability and enhanced supply chain access, including direct links into European markets via Nafinco, one of Europe’s most respected pharmacy cooperatives,” says Avicenna.

Announcing the development at Sigma Overseas Conference in Azerbaijan, Brij Valla said: “This is a pivotal moment for independent pharmacy. With Nafinco’s backing, we’re building a next generation buying group that delivers commercial value and smart digital tools to help our members thrive in a challenging pharmacy environment.”

To help the network become more agile and competitive, Avicenna Membership Services says it is investing heavily in digital infrastructure and tools that empower pharmacy owners. This includes promoting greater use of AviBuyer, its bespoke purchasing platform, and AviAnalytics, which offers data-driven insights into purchasing trends, pricing performance, and category opportunities.

The company says it will shortly be launching a new digital services platform, designed to help pharmacists meet the rising demand for NHS and private services. The new platform will enable pharmacies to offer these services in-branch or remotely, supported by a seamless booking and delivery interface.

Avicenna Membership Services claims to be the UK’s largest independent pharmacy support group, representing over 1,000 members. Nafinco is the Netherlands’ leading pharmacy buying group. Over the past ten years it has developed from a purchasing collective to the full-service partner for independent pharmacies.