SAO PAULO, July 15 (Reuters) – Brazilian retailer Assai is set to launch its own pharmacy operation on Thursday, the firm said in a statement, opening its first unit in Sao Paulo state and marking its entry into the pharmaceutical sector.
• The launch of Assai Farma follows a Brazilian law enacted this year that allows pharmacies to operate inside supermarkets in separate spaces with pharmacist presence.
• Assai plans to open 25 pharmacies in Sao Paulo state during the second half of 2026 as a pilot phase to evaluate performance before expanding to other states, it said.
• The product mix will include regulated medicines for continuous use and prescription drugs, plus over-the-counter items, dermocosmetics, vitamins, supplements and personal care products.
• Pharmacies will operate during the same hours as Assai stores, offering services including blood pressure checks, glucose monitoring, injections and rapid tests.
(Reporting by Paula Arend Laier; Writing by Fernando Cardoso; Editing by Alistair Bell)
