Planet Pharmacies

What Planet Pharmacies does

Planet Pharmacies L.L.C. is a privately held pharmacy retail and wholesale distribution company headquartered in Deira, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, founded in 2007 as a joint venture between Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries (Julphar), one of the largest pharmaceutical manufacturers in the Middle East and Africa, and Global Investment House of Kuwait. The company operates a dual-channel model: a retail pharmacy network spanning 65+ outlets in the UAE under the Health First and Planet Pharmacy brands, 20+ outlets in Oman under the Scientific Pharmacy brand, and 80+ outlets in Saudi Arabia, alongside a wholesale distribution arm (Planet Distribution / JDS) serving 1,700+ B2B customers in the UAE and additional healthcare facilities in Oman and Saudi Arabia. Its distribution portfolio covers 8,000+ products in the UAE, 12,000+ in Saudi Arabia, and 6,000+ in Oman, spanning pharmaceuticals, skincare, cosmetics, personal care, healthcare devices, and nutrition, anchored by over 20 exclusive international brand agencies including Vichy, Maria Galland Paris, Gli Elementi, Bionnex, La Cure, and parent-brand Julphar.

The company's revenue mechanics combine transactional retail sales of pharmaceuticals and consumer health products through owned storefronts with transaction-fee-based wholesale supply to pharmacies, hospitals, health centers, and private clinics. Distribution is hybrid: direct-to-consumer through physical retail outlets complemented by a B2B wholesale channel and channel-partner relationships with over 20 international principal brands. Marketing emphasizes community engagement, healthcare exhibitions (notably DUPHAT), CSR partnerships with the UAE Red Crescent Society and Bayt Al Khair, in-store Derma Days, free medical camps, and brand sampling events. Value-added services include GCC product registration and regulatory liaison through established relationships with Ministries of Health.

Planet Pharmacies is led by Chairman Sheikh Saqer Bin Humaid Al Qassimi and operates from a regional head office at City Avenue Building, Port Saeed Road, Deira. The company employs 251-500 staff and is a wholly owned subsidiary within the Julphar group, leveraging its parent's pharmaceutical manufacturing scale and insulin production leadership. The platform combines proprietary retail brands (Health First, Scientific Pharmacy, Planet Pharmacy), a wholesale distribution arm (Planet Distribution/JDS), and exclusive distribution rights for premium international skincare and pharmaceutical brands, positioning it as a vertically integrated GCC pharmacy channel.

Name

Planet Pharmacies

Legal name

Planet Pharmacies L.L.C.

Website

https://planetme.ae

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Planet Pharmacies is a UAE-based pharmacy retail and wholesale distribution platform operating 165+ outlets across UAE, Oman, and Saudi Arabia, distributing 8,000+ pharmaceutical, skincare, and healthcare products to consumers and 1,700+ B2B customers, as a subsidiary of Julphar.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Retail Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Distribution

NAICS

Pharmacies and Drug Retailers (456110), Pharmacies and Drug Retailers (45611), Drugs and Druggists' Sundries Merchant Wholesalers (42421), Drugs and Druggists' Sundries Merchant Wholesalers (4242)

SIC

Retail-Drug Stores And Proprietary Stores (5912), Wholesale-Drugs, Proprietaries & Druggists' Sundries (5122)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYHLAFALAA

Retail & Community Pharmacies (Chain/Independent)

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Healthcare Providers & Systems/Pharmacy & Medication Management Services

SECONDARYCRAFAEAK

Health & Pharmacy Omnichannel

Consumer Products & Retail/E-commerce & Marketplaces/Omnichannel Retail E-commerce

Keywords

• Retail pharmacy services
• Pharmaceutical wholesale distribution
• Skincare brand distribution
• Healthcare retail chain
• GCC pharmacy operations

Headquarters

HQ city

Dubai

HQ country

United Arab Emirates

HQ region

Middle East

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Retail Pharmacy Sales: Direct sales of pharmaceuticals, health products, skincare, cosmetics, and personal care items through owned retail pharmacy outlets under Health First, Scientific Pharmacy, and Planet Pharmacy brands.
2. Wholesale Distribution: Wholesale supply of pharmaceutical products, skincare brands, and healthcare devices to pharmacies, hospitals, health centers, and private clinics through an effective distribution network in UAE and Oman.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Planet Pharmacies operates a multi-format retail pharmacy network under brands including Health First Pharmacy (UAE), Scientific Pharmacy (Oman), and Planet Pharmacy (UAE, Saudi Arabia), selling pharmaceuticals, skincare, cosmetics, personal care items, and healthcare devices directly to consumers. The company also runs a wholesale distribution business through Planet Distribution (JDS), supplying pharmaceutical products, skincare brands, and healthcare devices from over 20 international agencies to 1,700+ pharmacies, hospitals, health centers, and private clinics across UAE and Oman.

Product overview

Planet Pharmacies is a pharmacy retail and wholesale distribution company operating across the UAE, Oman, and Saudi Arabia. The company offers a unified pharmacy platform combining retail pharmacy operations under brands including Health First Pharmacy (UAE) and Scientific Pharmacy (Oman), along with wholesale distribution through Planet Distribution (JDS). The company distributes pharmaceutical products, skincare brands, and healthcare devices from over 20 agency partners including Julphar, Vichy, Maria Galland Paris, Gli Elementi, and La Cure. Additional services include product registration for GCC regulatory compliance. The company is owned by Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries (Julphar) based in Ras Al Khaimah.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Julphar: Pharmaceutical products - Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries, the largest pharmaceutical manufacturer in the Middle East.
• Maria Galland Paris
• La Cure
• Gli Elementi
• Bionnex

Products and services

• Health First Pharmacy (Retail Brand - UAE) Retail pharmacy brand operating in the UAE under Planet Pharmacies, offering pharmaceutical services, health and beauty products, with in-store derma consultations, health screenings, and innovative in-store displays featuring international brand presence.
• Scientific Pharmacy (Retail Brand - Oman) Retail pharmacy brand operating in Oman under the Scientific Pharmacy name, offering pharmaceuticals and beauty products through 20+ retail outlets with innovative in-store displays and international brand presence.
• Planet Pharmacy (Retail Brand - Saudi Arabia & Core Brand) Core retail pharmacy brand owned by Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries (Julphar), operating retail pharmacies and wholesale distribution across UAE, Oman, and Saudi Arabia with over 1,700+ distribution customers.
• Planet Distribution (JDS) - Wholesale Distribution Service Wholesale distribution service supplying pharmacies, hospitals, health centers, and private clinics through an effective distribution network in UAE and Oman, representing over 20 agencies of pharmaceutical products, skincare brands, and healthcare devices.
• Products Registration Services Product registration and regulatory services for pharmaceutical products across GCC markets, leveraging relationships with Ministries of Health and regulatory authorities to facilitate market entry for pharmaceutical manufacturers.
• Healthcare and Beauty Distribution Portfolio Portfolio of over 20 agencies including brands such as Vichy, Julphar, Floxia Paris, Dermaesthetics, Lacure, Sorme, SVR, Dexcom, Maria Galland, Gli Elementi, La Cure, and Bionnex for pharmaceutical, skincare, and healthcare device products distributed across the GCC.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,700+ wholesale distribution customers served in UAE
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• M.H. Enterprises LLCcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 February 2019Collaboration with M.H. Enterprises LLC in FMCG sector announced in February 2019. This partnership expands Planet Pharmacies' reach in the fast-moving consumer goods market.
• Bayt Al KhaircoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 December 2018Bait Al Khair signed a MoU with Planet Pharmaceuticals for distribution of patient needs and community service. The agreement supports the distribution of healthcare products for underprivileged communities in celebration of UAE National Day.
• UAE Red Crescent SocietycoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 February 2018Health First Pharmacies (under Planet Pharmacies management) signed agreement with UAE Red Crescent to supply medications at subsidized rates and dispense medicines to referred patients at discounted rates on a case-by-case basis.
• Julphar (Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2007Julphar is the parent company of Planet Pharmacies. Based in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, Julphar is one of the largest pharmaceutical manufacturers in the Middle East and Africa and a leading producer of insulin globally. This parentage provides Planet Pharmacies with exclusive distribution rights and strategic alignment with a major pharmaceutical manufacturer.
• Gulf Investment Global (Kuwait)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2007Gulf Investment Global is a leading investment company based in Kuwait. As a joint venture partner with Julphar Medical (Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries), they form the ownership structure of Planet Pharmacies, providing investment backing and strategic direction for the company's regional expansion.
• Al QuDra Holding (Abu Dhabi)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoU signed with Al QuDra Holding for cooperation on community healthcare initiatives in Abu Dhabi.
• Dubai HoldingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsored the Dubai Holding Vertical Charity Marathon held at 52 floors in Fujairah Emirates Towers, supporting Ghalila and Al Jalila Foundation in 2014.
• MalabarminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHealth First Pharmacy partnered with Malabar for Free Medical Camp in UAQ, offering free health check-ups including blood pressure and sugar level testing.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Saudi Pharmaceutical Industries (SPIMACO): Leading Saudi pharmaceutical manufacturer and distributor with substantial KSA pharmacy-supply operations; comparable as a vertically integrated Saudi pharma player that intersects Planet's distribution and retail wholesale activities.
• Tabuk Pharmaceuticals: Major Saudi pharmaceutical manufacturer and marketing company operating across MENA — comparable as a regional pharma manufacturer/distributor competing for agency portfolios and wholesale shelf space relevant to Planet's B2B wholesale business.

Others

• Julphar (Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries): Parent company and largest generic pharmaceutical manufacturer in MENA — not a retail peer but vertically integrated; comparable as a GCC pharma manufacturing/distribution platform given dual role as supplier and JV partner to Planet.
• Nestle Health Science (Distribution Adjacency): Global nutrition, OTC and personal-care brand owner that distributes through UAE/GCC pharmacy channels — comparable as a supplier into Planet's retail assortment and a counterparty in agency-rights negotiations rather than a direct retail competitor.

Direct peers

• Life Pharmacy: Major UAE and GCC retail pharmacy chain operating a comparable multi-brand, multi-country model with extensive own-store expansion, wholesale supply, and exclusive international cosmetics/skincare brand distribution — a direct GCC retail-pharmacy competitor.
• Al Nahdi Pharmacy: Largest Saudi-based retail pharmacy chain dominating the Kingdom's consumer pharmacy market — a direct peer for Planet's 80+ Saudi outlets and expansion strategy in the most growth-critical GCC market.
• BinSina Pharmacy: Long-established UAE retail pharmacy chain with extensive Dubai/UAE footprint and broad health, beauty, and personal-care assortment — competes directly for retail footfall and brand-agency exclusivities in the same UAE market.
• Aster Pharmacy: Largest UAE-headquartered retail pharmacy chain operating across the GCC and India, with comparable breadth of retail outlets, diversified brand portfolio (retail, hospital pharmacy, wholesale distribution through Aster Pharma) and similar B2B/B2C pharma distribution model.

Broad incumbents

• Boots Pharmacy (GCC Operations): UK-headquartered global pharmacy retailer with GCC presence (operated via local partners in UAE/Saudi), offering comparable prescription dispensing and health/beauty retail assortment and competing for premium positioning in the same GCC markets.
• Hikma Pharmaceuticals (GCC Operations): MENA-headquartered multinational pharmaceutical manufacturer and distributor with significant GCC pharmacy wholesale and branded-generic presence — a broad incumbent competing in the same pharma supply landscape.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/hfpharmacies
• Facebookfacebook.com/healthfirstpharmacies

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Planet Pharmacies