Pharmacy chain founder Terry White threatens to walk

Terry White, founder of the Terry White chemist chain, has issued a strongly worded warning he will take his business elsewhere if pharmacists are not consulted about the Symbion sale.

The pharmacy chain is the single biggest contributor to the Symbion business.

Grocery wholesaler Metcash and drug distributor Sigma Pharmaceuticals are currently in discussions about a joint bid for the pharmacy and consumer assets of Symbion.

However, White said he and his 140 members were concerned the business would be sold to an owner who did not understand the pharmacy industry.

Although 15 parties had expressed an interest in buying the assets, only two groups had contacted him. “No potential buyer has spoken to me except for Ironbridge and Archer,” White said.

After 12 months of ownership uncertainty, White said his members had become so concerned about the future there was little doubt they would all walk together.

Inside Retailing