Bestway Group takes over Co-operative Pharmacy

The Co-operative Pharmacy is the third largest pharmacy business in the United Kingdom (UK), and the largest in Wales. It has over 770 branches across the UK and over 7,000 employees.

In 2013 it reported total revenues of £760 million and underlying profitability of £68 million.

The Co-operative Pharmacy is a good fit for the Bestway Group business as the company also places a strong focus on supporting and servicing the needs of local communities.

The Bestway Group is known for its strong relationships with customers, and this is true of the Co-operative Pharmacy as well, as they have the highest customer service levels in their sector.

The Bestway Group sees potential in growing the pharmacy business. The Co-operative Pharmacy will be run as a standalone business using the existing team.

The group is the second largest wholesaler in the UK, and has among its group of companies, United Bank Limited, the second largest private bank in Pakistan, with a strong and long standing presence in the Middle East, and having eight branches in the UAE, three each in Bahrain, Qatar and Yemen.

Bestway Group’s chairman is led by Sir Mohammad Anwar Pervez, OBE, Hilal-e-Pakistan.

The group provides employment to over 22,500 globally.

— haseeb@khaleejtimes.com