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Acquisition Finance

Topic Headings:

Initial Considerations

As per any business transaction, there a number of key points to consider in determining whether Pharmacy ownership is for you. This is particularly the case for your first purchase, and your Professional Advisors should discuss the following with you prior to any purchase:

  • The responsibility that comes with Pharmacy ownership
  • Have I the requisite experience?
  • The lifestyle changes that will occur as a result
  • What are the financial rewards?
  • Have I enough equity to contribute

Ownership Structures and Restrictions

There are a number of types of ownership structures that will enable you to purchase a Pharmacy:

  • Sole Trader
  • Partnership
    • Will I be buying in to an existing partnership?
    • Will I be forming a new partnership
  • Service companies and Trusts - do I need one?
  • Corporate

When deciding on the ownership structure for you, you should always consider the ownership restrictions that exist in Australia. Set by each of the State Pharmacy Boards, these restrict who can own a Pharmacy, stipulate geographic restrictions on where Pharmacies can be located, and detail the number of Pharmacies that can be owned.

Location and Type of Pharmacy to Purchase

No two Pharmacies are the same, and you should always decide on the following:

  • Would the business be located in a Metro, Country or Remote location?
  • Would I be looking for one located on a Shopping strip or within a Shopping Centre?
  • Would the Pharmacy be an Independent, or would I prefer a Banner group store?
  • Do I want a business that is more retail focussed or would I prefer one that is a high Script Pharmacy?
  • Is it located near Doctors, Aged Care facilities or Hospitals?
  • Do I want one with an Agency - ie Australia Post or Tattersalls kiosk?
  • What size business would I be seeking?
  • What price bracket could I consider?

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Planning Your Purchase

Once you have made the decision you are ready to Purchase your Pharmacy, your Sigma Representative can assist with finding the ideal Pharmacy for your circumstances. They will consider the amount of Equity you need to contribute to the purchase, along with the demographics of your desired purchase (location, type of Pharmacy, customer profile, etc).

How much Finance can the Business afford?

Sigma has long been viewed as being at the forefront of arranging Pharmacy Finance. Through a unique series of Agreements with the major Financial Institutions in Australia, we can introduce you to the most appropriate product for your purchase at a competitive interest rate.

Sigma is not paid any commissions by these banks to arrange your finance.

Banks will generally lend between 70% to 80% of the assessed value of a Pharmacy for a term of either 10 or 15 years duration.

Click on this handy Loan Calculator to calculate what your annual interest and principal repayments will be.

Types of Finance Available

There are a number of different forms of Finance available through our relationship banks. Whilst not an exhaustive list, they include:

  • Overdraft account
  • Term loan
  • Line of Credit
  • Commercial Bills
  • Business Combination Loans
  • Leasing/Hire Purchase (see Refurbishment and Equipment Finance)
  • Credit cards
  • Trade account, including Sigma Rewards

Professional Services

It is vital that you engage professionals within the Pharmacy industry to assist with your purchase. In addition to your Sigma Representative, the following are some of the Independent services that you should engage at an early stage in your purchase:

  • Legal advisor
  • Business Broker
  • Accountant
  • Bank Business Manager
  • Insurer
  • Personal Financial Planner
  • Industry and Regulatory bodies
  • IT provider

Business Plan

Your Professional Advisors should be able to assist with the creation of a Business Plan. This document will be of considerable benefit both in planning for your purchase and also as a performance reporting tool post your acquisition. As a rule, your Business Plan should contain the following as a minimum:

  • Staff
    • Retail (front of shop)
    • Professional
    • Locums, if required
  • Trading hours
  • IT
    • Point Of Sale system
    • EFTPOS
    • BillPay
  • Details of your Professional Service providers
  • Agency Relationships (if any)
    • Australia Post
    • Tattersalls Kiosk
    • Dry Cleaner
    • Newsagency
    • Cosmetics
  • Financial Plan
    • Profit target
    • Retail mix
    • Cashflow
    • Marketing and Advertising
    • Banner membership
    • Relocation plan
    • Long-term growth strategy
    • Personal goals to be achieved

Sundry Fees and Charges involved in Pharmacy Acquisition

Your Sigma Representative can assist with estimating how much additional funds will be required to cover certain fees and costs that will need to be paid prior or at settlement:

  • Professional Services
  • Stamp Duty
  • Bank fees, including loan establishment costs
  • Registration Fees
  • Business Stationery
  • Utilities
  • Insurance
  • Refurbishment and repairs
  • IT and Point of Sale set-up costs

Professional Services

As per the earlier section, it is imperative you involve independent Professional advisors. These professionals will assist with

  • Having the Sale Contract and related documents reviewed
  • Ensure the requisite regulatory approvals are obtained
    • HIC
    • State Pharmacy Board
    • State Registered Business Name
    • Ancillary Agency approvals and registrations
  • Insurance
    • Professional Indemnity
    • Business Assets/Income, Public Liability
    • Personal/Key Person

Documentation

As per any Finance and Business Sale agreement, there will be a range of Security and other documents to be given over, which yours and the Bank's Legal counsel will assist with obtaining. These will include:

  • Bill of Sale over Business
  • Mortgage over Lease / Right of Entry
  • Charge over the Service Company/Trust
  • Mortgage over Commercial and/or Residential Property
  • Third Party or Personal Guarantee (if appropriate)
  • Copy Contract of Sale
  • Copy Lease
  • Copy of required Approvals ( ie HIC, Pharmacy Board )
  • Property Valuation

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Purchase Timetable

It is important that you allow adequate time for the purchase of your Pharmacy business. Your Sigma Representative can assist you through the entire purchase process.

As a guide, the loan process takes approximately six to eight weeks, and can be summarised as follows:

Week 1 Complete the Bank Loan Application form, and supply all supporting data to your Sigma Representative for sending to the Bank for analysis and review.
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4 If loan approved, Bank issues Letter of Offer for your acceptance.
Week 5 Bank instructs their Solicitors to prepare security documentation. Bank's Solicitors forward documents to your Solicitors for your execution and return. Your Solicitor will need to source various certificates and facilitate provision of all information.
Week 6
Week 7 Liaise closely with the Bank and your Solicitor to ensure all requirements have been fulfilled and that all documentation is in order.
Week 8 Upon confirmation by all parties (ie Bank, Solicitors, you etc.) settlement is authorised to proceed.

Note: Above 'time-line' is only an 'estimate' and assumes that there have been no delays in provision of supporting data, certificates etc. as called for by the Bank and execution of all necessary Security documentation is attended to promptly.

Where complex ownership or corporate structures are to be utilised, we strongly recommend that applicants allow a minimum eight weeks for organising financial support.

Business Acquisition Settlement Process

The following are important procedures that you will need to complete prior to settlement:

  • Ensure you complete a Stocktake
  • Your approval should be confirmed with the Pharmacy Board
  • Finalise your approval number with the HIC
  • Contact all suppliers and Service Providers to ensure account details for the Pharmacy are changed.

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Mandatory Equipment

When operating a Pharmacy, the following equipment is required under Section 32B of the Pharmacy Regulations, and you should ensure that these are present in your new pharmacy prior to settlement:

Dispensing Balance
Heavy Duty Scales
Tablet Counting Tray
Wire Sieve
Set of Metric Weights
Mortar and Pestle 1 x glass
1 x non glass
Glass Funnels 60mm
90mm
120mm
Water Bath
Dispensing Measures 1 x 5ml
1 x 10ml
1 x 20ml
1 x 100ml
1 x 200ml
1 x 500ml
Refrigerator
Filter Paper 100 x 11cm
100 x 15cm
100 x 18.5cm
Heat Source (gas or electric)
Spatulas 2 x 100mm
2 x 150mm
2 x 200mm
Stainless Steel Sink
with hot and cold running water
Dispensing Bench
(min. 40cm wide and 1sqm free)
Ointment Slab
Stirring Rods

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Acquisition Finance Checklist

Click here to download an Acquisition Finance Checklist, complete with Disclaimer.

Useful Sites

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