Complete Affordable and Accessible Healthcare

Sparkport Pharmacy was established in December 1983 by academic colleagues Goolam Mahomed and Solly Suleman. The original pharmacy was located in premises at 281 Sparks Road, Overport and occupied a mere 100 square meters. It was clear from the outset that the business model used by traditional pharmacies was not sustainable and significant viable alternatives were necessary. In order to thrive in the hotly contested pharmacy markets, the future pharmacy would have to build brand equity and develop significant purchasing power. The partners set out to research the models worldwide and source supplies,which could retail at competitive prices.The first ever Hyper Pharmacy was launched in December 1992.Today, the Group has 10 retail pharmacies,which serves the healthcare needs of consumers. The expansion route continues in acquiring new stores as well as franchising existing pharmacies.

Sparkport Pharmacy has caused a silent revolution within the South African pharmaceutical industry.The hyper pharmacy concept, once alien to our shores has been successfully established within Durban, and its surrounding areas and is likely to significantly change the face of traditional pharmacies as we know it. Sparkport has currently proved to be the leading retail pharmacy group in KZN.

Current Challenges
The evolution of the pharmacy industry in South Africa over the past decade has been characterized by the increasingly difficult trading conditions that have been exacerbated by various factors:

• Pricing regulations - Single exit price and the issue of price regulation
• Human capital in the form of:
• A lack of pharmacists due to the opportunities overseas
• Shortage of skilled and trained pharmacist assistants.
• Increase in competition.
• Increase in competition due to corporates and opening of lay ownership.
• Medical Aids and Designated Service Providers in which part of the business is given to certain pharmacies and the exclusion of other pharmacy groups.
• General lack of vision over the country's health care system
• Poor marketing and merchandising
• High level of dependency on dispensary and general neglect on front shop.

Current Achievement / Innovations

• Only registered pharmacy group with the Franchise Association of South Africa (FASA).
• Our two latest franchises are owned byWomen thereby promoting Female Empowerment.
• Professional Management Review Diamond Pharmacy award won in 2005. First place in the category of pharmaceutical retailers.
• Boehringer National Pharmacists award won in 2001.
• Our management structure is gender empowered with females heading up our Marketing, Medical Aid, Training Academy, Operational,HR Division as well as Store Managers.
• Employment equity compliant representation of staff.
• Largest independent pharmacy group in KZN.
• Second largest independent BEE pharmacy group in SouthAfrica.
• Winner of 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 Readers choice.
• Expanded product range through the imports of quality medical, surgical and related products.
• Launch of the own brand range in November 2007.
• Significant role player at government level.
• Significant employment creation of approximately 400 jobs.

Future Aims/ Goals/ Projects

• To be listed on the Altx and JSE.
• We intend to duplicate our business models of retail pharmacy in the national arena.
• To be a significant regional player and in the medium to long termas a national player in the delivery of affordable and accessible healthcare.
• To be the premier pharmacy chain in S.A.
• To achieve customer satisfaction and respect.
• Opening of a training academy to encourage professional development of our employees, as well as individuals who are interested in pursuing a career in the pharmacy industry.
• We will empower our staff through training and upward mobility to achieve at their highest human potential.

Social Responsibilities

1. An amount of R500 000 is spent on Sponsorships per year e.g. Sparkport Challenge and Sparkport Delta Cricket Club.(R300 000 over a 3 year period).
2. CHOC Fund Raised R18000 in November 2006.
3. Sponsor FirstAid kits to Sports club, Schools and Old age homes.
4. Bursaries and study loans.
5. Create more job opportunities by recruiting learners from neighbouring schools and previously disadvantaged individuals to study through learnerships sponsored by the SETAS.
6. Sparkport participates in the East Coast RadioWinter warmth campaign every year.
7. Sparkport embarked on our own winter warmth campaign this year in which over 300 food parcels were donated to underprivileged communities i.e. S Dass School and the Crossmoor settlement.
8. TV sponsored to Albert Luthuli Hospital.
9. Comrades Refreshment station is manned by our staff yearly since 1993.
10. Sparkport donated 10 wheelchairs to the East Coast Radio Big Favour.
11. Air-conditioning units donated to the Broad Street Police Station.

Mission
Our undertaking has always been and will continue to provide the consumer with the best, most affordable and accessible pharmaceutical care as well as offering a comprehensive range of merchandise at competitive prices.

We are totally dedicated to the task of maintaining high standards in all spheres with special emphasis on quality service and courtesy. Our philosophy is characterized by fair dealing and determination to provide a convenient and pleasurable shopping experience to our customers, as well as empower our consumers through education.

Vision
The vision of the Sparkport Group can be summarized in one sentence, complete affordable and accessible healthcare. To achieve this, we have had to develop a coherent strategy to market what has been innovative and sensitive to the needs of the public. The Group essentially is committed to providing a one stop health shopwhich offers the public access to prescription and non-prescription medicines coupled with retail health and lifestyle items. The Group has poured an immense amount of human and material resources into distilling their vision into an easily reproduced and successful model that will succeed in any market we wish to enter.

Full Name of Company: Sparkport Group of Pharmacies
Nature of Business: Pharmaceutical
Services / Products: Medical and health related products, pharmacists dispensing of medication/ patient counselling, primary health care clinics, photo first department.
Subsidiaries: Broadwalk Medical Centre, Fransell Pharmaceuticals, SparkportTraining Academy
Date Established: 1983

KEY PERSONNEL
Chief Operational Officer: Shaeeda Goga
Directors: Solly Suleman and Goolam Mahomed
Marketing Assistant: Nicola Nadasen
Financial Manager: Imraan Subrathie
Sales Director: Krish Gopichund

Other:
I T Manager: Riaz Karodia
Medical Aid Manager: Zainub Abedeen
Training Academy Manager: Nwabisa Nijana
Import Manager: Neil Kistnasamy
Human Resources: SumiThaver
Wholesale Manager: Ayesha Koya
Clinic Manager: Avril Chalmers

CONTACT DETAILS
Head Office
Physical Address: 42 Brickfield Rd,Overport.
Postal Address: PO Box 927,Durban, 4000.
Tel:+27 (0)31 251 8500
Fax:+27 (0)31 207 2222
E-mail: health@healthtimes.co.za
Website: http://www.sparkport.co.za

Other Branches:
Overport City,Durban North, Crescent, Quality Street, Warner Beach,Musgrave, Hillcrest (franchsie), PMB (franchsie) and Chatsworth (franchsie).