Dis-Chem Pharmacies Limited

Who owns Dis-Chem?
It is a JSE-listed public company. Founders Ivan and Lynette Saltzman and family interests remain the largest shareholder block, with institutional investors holding most of the float.

Is Dis-Chem publicly traded?
Yes. Dis-Chem Pharmacies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in November 2016 under the ticker DCP.

When was Dis-Chem founded?
Ivan and Lynette Saltzman founded Dis-Chem in 1978, opening the first store in Mondeor, Johannesburg.

How many Dis-Chem stores are there?
As of FY2025 the group operated 285 retail pharmacy stores and 45 baby stores, with approximately 39 additional stores planned during FY2026.

What is the difference between Dis-Chem and Clicks?
Both are South African pharmacy chains. Clicks has roughly three times as many stores; Dis-Chem operates larger-format stores and runs a bigger wholesale business supplying independent pharmacies and its TLC franchise network.

Who is the CEO of Dis-Chem?
Rui Morais, formerly the group's CFO, became CEO in October 2023, succeeding founder Ivan Saltzman.

Ivan and Lynette Saltzman opened the first Dis-Chem in 1978 in Mondeor, south Johannesburg, with a counterintuitive premise for the era: a pharmacy that discounted. Apartheid-era regulations that restricted corporate pharmacy ownership meant the business grew slowly at first, operating dispensaries under pharmacist ownership structures while building a front-shop retail operation.

The 2003 regulatory change allowing corporate-owned pharmacies unlocked expansion. Dis-Chem scaled rapidly through the 2000s, opening large-format destination stores combining dispensary, beauty, health, baby and household categories at discounted prices, and established CJ Distribution to wholesale to its own and independent pharmacies.

The family retained control through growth, and in November 2016 listed Dis-Chem Pharmacies on the JSE, raising capital to accelerate store rollout and wholesale expansion. Post-listing it acquired baby and wellness assets, built the TLC franchise network and entered healthcare services.

The Saltzmans ran the company for 45 years: Ivan stepped down as CEO in 2023, succeeded by Rui Morais, previously CFO, marking the first non-founder chief executive. FY2025 (ended 28 February 2025) produced revenue of R39.2 billion, up 8 percent, with wholesale revenue growing faster than retail at 9.9 percent to R30.1 billion. The Local Choice franchise network expanded from 205 to 240 stores, and the company launched its Dis-Chem Life insurance product.

Dis-Chem runs one of South Africa's largest private clinic networks, positioning affordable primary healthcare as its core social contribution. Its integrated report covers responsible sourcing of house-brand products, pharmaceutical waste disposal programs and B-BBEE transformation metrics. It is not a certified B Corp. Product safety recalls it participates in are typically manufacturer-led pharmaceutical recalls executed through its pharmacy network.

Dis-Chem faced notable reputational episodes: in 2022 it apologized after an internal memo imposing a moratorium on white management appointments was leaked, igniting a national debate about its transformation policies. It has also drawn scrutiny over dispensary pricing and periodic professional complaints common to pharmacy chains. COVID-era vaccine rollout participation was broadly positive for the brand. There are no major unresolved regulatory sanctions on record.