Southstar Drug has reached a major milestone, opening its 700th branch at UP Diliman as it marks its 88th year of service—underscoring a quiet but impactful journey from a single pharmacy in Bicol to a national network championing accessible healthcare.
Founded in 1937 as a modest herbal pharmacy in Naga, Bicol, Southstar Drug has grown steadily across Luzon and Metro Manila, with each store reflecting a grassroots approach to serving Filipino communities. Now part of Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc., the brand has retained its local-first ethos even amid broader expansion.
“This isn’t just about numbers—it’s about staying true to our purpose,” said Thaddeus Sanchez, general manager of Southstar Drug. “Each store represents our promise to bring care closer to where it’s needed.”
The UP Diliman branch, the company’s 700th, stands as a symbolic step—integrating into a vibrant academic community where Southstar has long supported initiatives like the UP Track and Field Team and the University Health Services. Recent openings in underserved areas such as Lagonoy, Camarines Sur and Cauayan, Masbate illustrate a continued focus on health access, especially in locations far from commercial centers.
Southstar Drug’s journey also reflects innovation in service delivery. It now operates drive-thru pharmacies in Muntinlupa, Marikina, and Pampanga, while its growing e-commerce platform broadens access to medicine for customers nationwide.
With a target of 800 stores by 2026, Southstar Drug reaffirms its founding belief: that healthcare is not a privilege, but a promise—fulfilled one community at a time.
