Pascal Catry and Ucare Pharmacy: A sustainable commitment to health in Cambodia
- Partenaire Presse
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
Pascal Catry embodies a singular success story in the Cambodian healthcare landscape, where he has transformed Ucare Pharmacy into a key national reference. Returning to Cambodia in 2016 after a well-established career in France, he is using his expertise to create a modern pharmaceutical offering that combines quality, innovation and proximity. In this interview, he shares his entrepreneurial journey and his committed vision for the sustainable development of the Cambodian healthcare system.
A Pioneering House
"What differentiates Ucare Pharmacy from conventional pharmacies in Cambodia, and how did you establish it as a national benchmark?"
Ucare Pharmacy is the premier modern pharmacy chain in Cambodia. With 28 outlets spanning 6 provinces, over 95 pharmacists, and 220 employees, the group has positioned itself as a leading reference within the nation.
Its market positioning is predicated on a product offering predominantly imported from France and other international sources, coupled with quality standards that distinguish it from traditional pharmaceutical dispensaries. Its clientele encompasses both health-conscious Cambodians, expatriates and tourists.
Pascal Catry's Career Trajectory
'' What catalyst prompted your return to Cambodia in 2016 to assume leadership of Ucare Pharmacy, following a well-established career in France? ''
Born in Cambodia but raised in France, I obtained a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Grenoble. After practicing in various pharmacies throughout south of France, I acquired my initial pharmacy near Arles in 2000. After twelve years of substantial business expansion, I divested my pharmacy and transitioned into large-scale retail as an Intermarché member.
In 2016, a definitive decision was made to relocate from France with my wife and children to Cambodia where, with my father's support, I reassumed control of the Ucare Pharmacy brand and its thirteen outlets. In essence, the cycle was completed; my family had repatriated to Cambodia in the early 1990s, and it was propitious for me to return to my origins.
From Experience to Entrepreneurship
"How have your experiences in France shaped your entrepreneurial approach and contributed to the transformation of Ucare Pharmacy in Cambodia?"
Initially, entrepreneurship was not my intended path; rather, it was through accumulated experiences that this vocation developed. My initial endeavor, managing my pharmacy in France, allowed me to triple revenue over 12 years and refine my acumen in management and client service.
In Cambodia, I leverage my 30-year career in pharmaceuticals to transform Ucare Pharmacy into a preeminent national leader. Beyond my pharmaceutical proficiencies, I benefit from comprehensive expertise encompassing administrative and financial management, marketing strategy, and client service excellence. Furthermore, I cultivate high-performing teams, whom I have personally trained, to establish a cohesive corporate culture.
His Perspective on Entrepreneurship
"What are the key principles that underpin your developmental strategy and management style at Ucare Pharmacy?"
In my view, entrepreneurship is founded upon three cardinal principles: competence, client-centricity, and a commitment to continuous improvement. This is manifested through the ongoing professional development of our pharmacists, the implementation of new ventures, and the periodic establishment of new points of sale.
I advocate a proximity-based management approach, predicated on leadership by example and collaborative synergy. In Cambodia, a leader's credibility is gauged by the tangible efficacy of their decisions. Can we characterize this as a success story? Such an assessment remains contingent and subject to change depending on the regulatory framework and competitive landscape.
Nonetheless, the confluence of several factors has facilitated the operational efficacy of the model: a pre-existing and pioneering brand image in the market, an extant need within Cambodia, a clientele with sufficient and increasing purchasing power, and, of course, previously non-existent expertise. The reputation of the enterprise, now recognized by both Cambodians (who constitute over 60% of the clientele) and expatriates alike, represents a genuine metric of success.
However, it required nearly a decade to establish a solid foundation. This renown now transcends national borders, attracting numerous international suppliers, particularly French ones, eager to integrate into the Ucare Pharmacy network.
In contrast to certain Asian pharmacy chains that prioritize rapid growth without immediate profitability, we have implemented a controlled expansion strategy, focused on sustainability and service quality.
A Forward-Looking Expansion
"How is Ucare Pharmacy redefining the pharmacist's role in Cambodia, and what innovations have you implemented to bolster patient confidence?"
Ucare Pharmacy is strategically positioning itself as a premium brand in Cambodia by integrating superior products, multilingual pharmacists trained in-house, and stringent dispensing protocols. The customer experience is augmented through refined design aesthetics, innovative marketing strategies, and the incorporation of advanced digital tools.
In a market still largely characterized by traditional pharmacies, frequently exhibiting suboptimal drug storage, compromised traceability, and substandard dispensing practices—with predictable public health implications—Ucare Pharmacy is establishing itself as a leader. This is achieved by leveraging principles derived from Western pharmaceutical practices: accessibility, product and service quality, and technological modernization.
Ucare Pharmacy aspires to redefine the pharmacist's conventional role in Cambodia—often perceived merely as a "drug vendor"—by establishing an image of the pharmacist as a healthcare professional ensuring the safe utilization and therapeutic efficacy of pharmaceutical treatments. This approach has engendered a robust foundation of trust in the brand among its patient-customers.
Cognizant of this pivotal role, we are amplifying our initiatives through strategic partnerships with universities, internship programs, collaborations with the Ministry of Health, and the implementation of preventative health and screening campaigns.
Our investments also extend to digital health solutions, encompassing home delivery services, the development of a telemedicine platform, and e-pharmacy services entailing online prescription processing, medication preparation, and delivery. Ultimately, integration into Cambodia's forthcoming social security system will enable patients to avail themselves of treatment reimbursement benefits.
A Clear Mission Statement
"How does Ucare Pharmacy pledge to contribute sustainably to the evolution and enhancement of the Cambodian healthcare system, extending beyond its commercial operations?"
Our delineated objective is unequivocal: to render quality healthcare and services accessible to a broader demographic, while proactively contributing to the advancement of the Cambodian healthcare infrastructure.
In addition to his role as CEO of Ucare Pharmacy, Pascal Catry also serves as Vice-President of the France-Cambodia Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and President of the Chamber's Health Committee. In this capacity, he is spearheading a project to establish a state-recognized nursing assistant diploma in Cambodia, for which a working group is tasked with defining the curriculum. This initiative is crucial for the future of the healthcare system in Cambodia, aiming to augment healthcare teams, reinforce hygiene protocols, and provide assistance to patients' families in their residences. Consequently, existing and planned healthcare facilities will be enabled to fulfill their intended function, as the provision of quality healthcare services remains challenging irrespective of equipment quality and structural capacity in the absence of qualified personnel.
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