South Star Drug

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South Star Drug was established sometime in 1937 as a small business venture engaged in the retail of Chinese herbal medicines which was located in Naga City, Philippines.

Today, South Star Drug, known as SSD, belongs to the top 1,000 corporations in the Philippines. It has spread out its outlets with 120 branches in all, 50 of which are located in various accessible and convenient places in the Bicol Region, while 69 others are in Metro Manila and in some Luzon provinces. South Star Drug has partnered with various supermarkets in Metro Manila as well as in Bicol to widen its market reach. Currently, South Star Drug has built partnership with SM, Robinsons, Cherry Foodarama, Waltermart, LCC, Puregold, and South Supermarket. From a strong regional player, South Star Drug expands its services to more and more Filipinos by putting up stores in Southern Luzon, Northern Luzon and the islands of Mindoro, Masbate and Virac. South Star goes to far-flung areas to serve fresh medicines and goods in hard-to-reach communities. Its mission is not solely to gain market share but to contribute to the economy of the communities where it operates. Further expansion of its services in response to the needs of the people is foreseen and being planned to be carried out in the years ahead.

This growth is attributed to the quality of South Star Drug’s customer service, which is more than just a business but a clear manifestation of sincere concern for the needy.

[edit] Primary Concerns

In return for the support and patronage of Bicolanos, South Star Drug becomes even more deeply committed to do nothing else but give more of the best, not just as a business but more so as a friend and reliable neighbor.

Quality service and convenience as its primary concerns, South Star Drug has transformed itself as a favorite source of fresh medicines and some daily household needs.

Providing consumer satisfaction is reflected in every aspect of the drugstore’s operations in all its branches, such as reasonable pricing, physical comfort in its airconditioned outlets and the convenience of self-service in nearly all outlets.

Communication and information technology are South Star Drug’s anchor in its success. Its efficient systems highly rely on ICT. Moving forward, South Star Drug commits to adapt the necessary technology to sustain its growth and to remain competitive. Currently all the stores are running a POS system while its warehouse maintains an inventory management system. There are other support systems such as payroll, SAP B1 Financial system, Integrated Store Replenishment and other ancillary systems that lead to efficiency. On the other hand, the communication among stores, head office and administrative personnel relies heavily on the mobile and internet technology. Cognizant of the new challenges of the fast changing times, South Star Drug looks ahead with more determined resolve to improve, whenever necessary, its overall objective to satisfy customers, conscious always of the mission to be a trustworthy and reliable contributor to community welfare, the attributes in which the original herbal business of 1937 was anchored.

In 2005, SSD installed a point-of-sale computerized system. A year later, SSD implemented SAP Business 1-Financials. South Star Drug as the first in the Philippines to go live with this application.

[edit] Awards

Regional & District Awardee 2005, Top Taxpayer for Region No. 5, Bureau of Internal Revenue
Regional & District Awardee 2006, Top Taxpayer for Region No. 5, Bureau of Internal Revenue
Regional & National Awardee, 3rd Business Excellence Award for SME's, Department of Trade & Industry
2006 Leadership Award, Philippine Chamber of Commerce, South Luzon