Dimple Lagdiwala on Precision Over Scale: How Independent Pharmacies Can Remain Competitive in a Consolidated Market The retail pharmacy sector continues to consolidate. National chains are accelerating vertical integration, embedding insurance, care delivery, and fulfillment under unified platforms. Independent pharmacies, by contrast, face thinner margins, more complex reimbursements, and rising consumer expectations. Scale is no longer optional for major players. But for smaller operators, competing on size is neither feasible nor necessary. What’s required is a deliberate shift toward specialization, operational efficiency, and asset optimization. Drawing from pharmacy operations consulting and commercial real estate strategy, here are four pillars where independent pharmacies can build long-term defensibility. 1. Strategic Specialization > Generalized Services Competing horizontally across all service lines dilutes resources and erodes efficiency. Independent pharmacies o...
