Aster DM Healthcare plans to buy pharmacies, lab chains in India

In order to expand its footprint in India, Aster DM Healthcare, operating a network of hospitals, clinics and pharmacies in the Persian Gulf region and India, is planning to acquire pharmacies and labs in the country.

Dr. Azad Moopen, Founder and Chairman, Aster DM Healthcare, said, “We are looking at the pharmacy as well as laboratory chain. We are interested in buyout small chains and build on that. We are searching for proper opportunities.”

Currently, Aster is operating 353 establishments, including 22 hospitals, 113 clinics and 219 pharmacies. In India, the company is operating the Aster Medcity in Kochi, besides hospitals in Bengaluru, Kozhikode, Hyderabad and Kolhapur in Maharashtra, and a medical college in Wayanad, Kerala. Aster further has four clinics in Bengaluru.

“We are mainly in the south as well as west India. That is our focus. If there is an asset coming up, which makes sense by way of buying out in the north, we will look at it. But, green field and other things, we will be focusing on the south and west,” Moopen added.

He further stated, “We could look at innovative models, where we partner with the hospitals in tier II, III cities, who won’t have the expertise of doctors who can do procedures. So, if there is an ability for them to have the infrastructure, we could provide the manpower, like doctors and other trained people.”