AC Health is expanding its Japanese-inspired pharmacy concept with the opening of a second St. Joseph Drug Powered by SUGI (SJS) store, four months after the format debuted at One Ayala Mall in Makati City.
The new outlet in Eastwood City underscores the healthcare group’s efforts to develop retail pharmacy formats that go beyond conventional medicines and pharmacy essentials, adding Japanese health, beauty, personal care and wellness products to the mix.
SJS was created through a partnership between AC Health, St. Joseph Drug and Japan’s SUGI Holdings. The venture combines St. Joseph Drug’s local pharmacy experience with SUGI’s expertise in drugstore retail and wellness.
“The opening of our second store marks another important step in our partnership with St. Joseph Drug and AC Health,” SUGI Holdings President Katsunori Sugiura said.
For AC Health Pharma President and CEO Yet Abarca, the expansion reflects a broader effort to make healthcare more accessible while offering consumers a more integrated retail experience.
“This is more than just opening another branch,” Abarca said, pointing to the combination of St. Joseph Drug’s community presence, SUGI’s Japanese retail expertise and AC Health’s wider healthcare ecosystem.
The Eastwood store carries a curated range of Japanese wellness products alongside medicines and other pharmacy essentials. Its selection includes S-Select, SUGI’s private-label line, as well as other products sourced from Japan.
St. Joseph Drug Chairman and CEO Dorotea “Gigi” Cruz said customer reception to the first SJS outlet encouraged the company to proceed with the expansion.
The new branch is located at Olympic Heights in Eastwood City and is open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
