CPL opens pharmacy – The National

**City Pharmacy Limited Group customer service officer Tony Vara, dressed in the tradition attire of Moveave, Gulf, assisting customers George Ela and Otto Mano.**

A NEW City Pharmacy shop has opened its doors for people living outside Port Moresby, National District, and parts of Central.
The CPL Group yesterday opened its eighth branch at Eight-Mile, bringing to 35 the number of pharmacies across the country.
The company had obtained Government approval through the Department of Health for the branch to be opened and stocked with medicinal drugs and supplies to serve its surrounding communities.
CPL Group chief executive officer Navin Raju said: “It fills me with immense pride in welcoming our 35th CPL Pharmacy. This isn’t just a building; it’s a statement.
“This is a commitment not just to dispense medication, but to empower a healthier, happier future for each and every one of you.”
Raju added: “We opened shop last year in September but due to the licence not being approved, we delayed the official opening to now.
“A lot of customers were coming here for medicine but we could not serve them because we were waiting for the pharmacy licence from the Department of Health to issue prescribed medicine.
“For us, it was an indication that our customers still prefer our services,” Raju said.
He said CPL “provide a lot of items that are different from what the other shops provide because of our pharmacy range which you don’t find in other shops”.
“Business was still okay during the two-month wait. During that time, we focused on our groceries and other items on sale in the shop,” Raju said. Pharmacy head Pradeep Panda said they planned to expand their service.