The Guadalajara Metropolitan Zone (ZMG) has seen the birth of large laboratories, pharmacies and pharmacies.
Pisa Laboratories, Nordin Laboratories, Shopia Laboratories, Collins Pharmaceutical Products, Guadalajara Pharmacies, Levy Pharmacies (which later became part of the Benavides group) and the classic pharmacies such as Botica Jalisciense, Botica del Hospicio and Botica San Juan de Dios, among others, are some of the large companies in this sector in the city.
One of the oldest pharmacies in the city is the Botica Jalisciense, which has been in existence for more than a century. It is located on Pedro Moreno Street in the Center of Guadalajara.
In an interview, Mrs. Martha shared with this publishing house that since she was a child they took her to buy remedies from this business.
“My grandmother brought me, she lived on the street in Puebla and we found everything in the Center, there were not many pharmacies or stores,” he commented.
Mrs. Martha is a frequent customer of this pharmacy and assures that she trusts traditional medicine more than scientific medicine, because it has given her good results and “you don’t get as intoxicated.”
With almost 132 years of history, Botica Jalisciense is one of the most traditional in the city. It was founded in 1893 by the pharmacobiological chemist originally from Colima, Manuel Álvarez Ramírez.
It is said that the demand from his clientele was such that he even had people lined up around the block.
When Mr. Álvarez died, in the mid-1940s, his two sons remained at the head of the company: Gregorio and Manuel, so during that time it changed its name to Álvarez Hermanos Apothecary. Later, Gregorio bought his part of the business from Manuel, leaving him as the sole owner.
In this pharmacy you can get different types of water, oils, soaps, tinctures, essences, chemicals and naturopathic products and formulas. dermatological.
“There is a lot of product, but the star product that people look for the most is rose water, it is a softener, moisturizer and helps cleanse the skin,” said Moisés Muro, employee.
Another product that is in high demand is rosemary lotion that is used to firm and de-puff after pregnancy.
“This pharmacy is traditional and I have realized that its advertising is by word of mouth, we work with natural formulas and that is what identifies us.”
According to the interviewee, the fact that this pharmacy has been around for more than a century is due to the quality of the products it handles.
“Many of our clientele are older people, but we have also been innovating to attract new generations and attract all types of generations,” Moisés Muro concluded.
Seven decades of history
In relation to pharmaceuticals, the company stands out PiSA Pharmaceutical, a 100% Mexican company, with 77 years of historywhich develops comprehensive products and services for the public and private health segments in Mexico, the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean.
Its founder was Professor Miguel Álvarez Ochoa, who began manufacturing 10 children’s products under the name Productos Infantiles SA.
Eventually, the company changed its name to PiSA Farmacéutica. This Jalisco laboratory has 16 production plants, more than 20 thousand collaborators, 1,500 brands of medicines and 16 specialty lines.
The evolution of Farmacias Guadalajara
Farmacias Guadalajara was born in March 1942. The company was founded by Francisco Arroyo Verduzcowho opened the first branch in Guadalajara. At first, patent medicines were marketed, as well as household and personal care items. At the same time, it developed a wholesale network, distributing the same products to other pharmacies in Jalisco.
The growth and diversification of the company led to the creation of companies linked to Farmacias Guadalajara, to complement its transportation, security, developing laboratories and stores selling photographic items. In 1983 Corporativo Fragua SA de CV was established
It should be noted that The company developed the Superpharmacy concept, which was born in 1989 and offers the service of a traditional self-service pharmacy where you can also purchase medicines, beauty and personal hygiene products, food and household products, among others. others.
One fact to highlight is that Corporativo Fragua took a momentous step by carrying out a public offering of shares on the Mexican Stock Exchange, on October 3, 1997, for an amount of 230.4 million pesos; That is, about 20% of its capital was placed and everything was sold immediately. That capital was used to reproduce the format and then more aggressive growth began. As a result of this placement, Fragua has opened new Superpharmacies, going from 73 in October 1997 to 2,718 in 2023, consolidating itself as the most important chain in the country in sales. In the same period, Fragua’s presence in the country increased, reaching 468 cities by the end of 2023, within the 32 States of Mexico.
For this year, The company continues to open a Superpharmacy every three days on average, significantly accelerating the expansion plan.
Caring for people’s health and beauty
Franco-Mexican Chemistry Nordin It is a 100% Mexican family business that has 77 years of tradition in the city. Thanks to the vision, commitment and enthusiasm of David Ramírez Jiménez and with the support of his wife Bertha Fruchier Michel, this company was founded in 1947, in Arandas, Jalisco. A few years later, due to expansion needs, they moved to Guadalajara where they saw their business flourish.
In 1963, María Guadalupe Ramírez Fruchier, daughter of the couple, joined the company; In a short time she rose through the ranks, until she became, in 1990, president and general director of Química Franco Mexicana Nordin.
In the following years the Ramírez Fruchier brothers joined. Currently, the Board of Directors is made up of: María Guadalupe Ramírez Fruchier, María Salud Ramírez Fruchier, Leticia Ramírez Fruchier and Laura Coralia Ramírez Fruchier, the latter being also a plant director.
The production plant is located in Zapopan and has the most advanced technology for the production of medicines. Most products are over-the-counter (OTC); That is, they do not require a medical prescription to purchase.
They have the following lines: Allopathic, homeopathic, herbal and cosmetological. “We were pioneers in developing homeopathic products and registering them with Cofepris,” said Coralia Olivia Paredes Ramírez, attached to the general management.
The recently launched products are body creams, antiseptic gel, mosquito repellent, among others.
In the manufacturing of the products they use exclusively raw materials that meet national and international specifications; The production processes are validated and are carried out applying good manufacturing practices.
Since its founding, the company’s priority is to offer the highest quality in its products and excellence in customer service, which thanks to its preference has remained in the market for so many years.
“What distinguishes us is the quality of the products, because even though we have modernized, we retain the essence of how they were made years ago,” added Paredes Ramírez.
Last year Nordin began making its first exports to Central American countries and they hope to soon export to the United States.
Paredes Ramírez added that they have already opened their “online sales platform and we have already entered into Amazon and Free Market”. Currently, 110 employees work in this company.
A family business
Collins Pharmaceutical Products is a family company, 100% Guadalajara, founded by T. Baltazar Tirado Escamilla, on June 29, 1967.
Pharmaceutical Products Collins It is the genesis of the Group Collinsmade up of a total of four companies: Pharmaceutical Products CollinsNatural Crops San Francisco, Natural Health and Collins Veterinary Division.
The company has more than 57 years of history and is made up of nearly 1,700 employees, a multidisciplinary team that operates a total of six production plants located in the city.five of these plants manufacture medicines for human health and the remaining one is destined for the veterinary segment.
Currently, with the infrastructure and installed capacity More than 300 brands of products are produced and there are around 200 health records.managing to contribute to the comprehensive health and well-being of millions of families. Since 2022, Mari Tere Tirado Díaz has been the executive president and general director of Grupo Collins.
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