How do I finance a pharmacy purchase?
A pharmacy purchase is usually financed as a going concern acquisition. Several lenders run dedicated health teams that will lend at higher ratios than they would on a general business. Ownership rules differ by state and generally require a registered pharmacist, so the entity structure gets checked early. Script volume, location and the lease do most of the work in the assessment. Your own experience carries real weight as well.
What lenders look at
Script numbers and the mix between PBS and front of shop retail are the starting point, because together they show how stable the income really is. Location follows. A pharmacy inside a medical centre or attached to a busy shopping centre reads very differently to a standalone shop on a quiet strip. Lenders also weigh the remaining lease term, since a short lease with no options can cap both the loan amount and the term offered. Previous ownership or management experience tends to move the assessment more than anything else.
How the finance is usually structured
Most purchases combine a term loan against the goodwill and stock with separate facilities for the fit out, dispensing robots and other equipment. A working capital line often sits alongside, because stock has to be carried and PBS payments arrive on their own timetable. Where you are also buying the premises, a commercial property loan covers that part at a different rate and term. Ownership and entity rules vary between states, so confirm the structure with your accountant and your own solicitor before anything is signed.
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Last updated 15th July 2026. Reviewed by Authorised Credit Representative 554584 of Australian Credit Licence 414426.