In a bold move to close the gender gap in healthcare entrepreneurship, Medkart Pharmacy has launched a women-first franchise initiative aimed at empowering aspiring female business owners across India. The program seeks to create a new generation of women-led pharmacy stores, particularly in sectors where female representation remains low despite their strong role in household health decisions.

Women account for a significant share of healthcare decision-makers in Indian families but remain underrepresented in the formal business landscape. Government data indicates that just 20% of entrepreneurs in India are women, and even fewer operate in high-compliance sectors such as retail pharmacy. Despite the country producing over 150,000 pharmacy graduates annually—many of them women—structural barriers have made the transition into business ownership challenging.

To address this gap, Medkart, one of India’s fastest-growing pharmacy retail chains, has rolled out a franchise model tailored to support female entrepreneurs. With over 100 stores across Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra, Medkart is known for offering WHO-GMP certified generic medicines and has helped more than 10 lakh families save over ₹650 crore on essential treatments.

The company’s franchise model requires an investment of ₹8–9 lakh, covering everything from setup, inventory, and staff recruitment, to training, licensing, branding, and access to a proprietary AI-driven inventory management platform. This system helps franchisees maintain efficiency with real-time stock analytics, billing, and demand forecasting—reducing risk and improving operational control.

“One of the biggest reasons small pharmacies fail is poor inventory management,” said Ankur Agarwal, Co-founder and CEO of Medkart. “Our franchise model is designed to eliminate that risk. We provide stock as needed, and even take back unsold inventory.”

Parasharan Chari, Co-founder and COO, emphasized the importance of inclusivity in the healthcare retail space. “Women bring empathy, trust, and discipline—qualities that are invaluable in this sector. Our goal is to build clean, transparent, tech-enabled medicine stores that truly serve communities, and women are key drivers in this mission.”

Under the new campaign, women franchisees will receive additional support through priority onboarding, one-on-one mentorship, and access to the Medkart Franchisee Academy. The academy offers structured training in pharmaceutical knowledge, customer service, business compliance, and technology use. According to the company, most franchisees reach breakeven within 3 to 6 months, with ROI typically realized within 18 months.

Medkart’s initiative arrives at a time when inclusive growth is central to India’s healthcare goals. By enabling women to take leadership roles in the pharmacy sector, Medkart is not only addressing a market need but also reshaping the narrative—where women are not just caregivers, but entrepreneurs and community leaders.