Dis-Chem Explained

Dis-Chem Pharmacies Limited, commonly known as Dis-Chem, is the second-largest retail pharmacy chain in South Africa, operating over 300 stores across Southern Africa. The company offers a wide range of products, including third-party and private label items, both in-store and online, and operates a wholesale division. The company's head office is based in Midrand, Gauteng and is listen on the JSE under the ticker symbol as DCP.^{[3] [4] [5]}

History

Dis-Chem was founded in 1978 by pharmacists Ivan and Lynette Saltzman.^{[6] [7]} The pharmacy opened its first retail pharmacy in Mondeor, a southern suburb of Johannesburg.^[8] The couple introduced the concept of a discount pharmacy, offering product categories that were previously unavailable in South African pharmacies due to restrictive legislation.

In 2014, Dis-Chem expanded internationally by opening its first store outside South Africa, in Windhoek, Namibia.^[9] In November 2016, the company listed 27.5% of its share capital on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, raising approximately billion in what was then the second-largest initial public offering in the exchange's history.^{[10] [11]} Following the IPO, Dis-Chem announced plans to double its number of outlets by 2021, with one-third of its stores being less than three years old at the time.^[12]

Criticism

In July 2020, the Competition Commission of South Africa found Dis-Chem guilty of inflating prices of certain hygiene products, such as disposable face masks, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Tribunal imposed an administrative penalty of million,^[13] significantly lower than the billion fine the Commission had initially sought. Dis-Chem chose not to appeal the decision, citing concerns over reputational harm.^{[14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19]}

See also

• Clicks Group
• Health care in South Africa
• List of companies traded on the JSE

Notes and References

1. Web site: Group and company audited annual financial statements 2025 - Dis-Chem . 16 September 2025.
2. Web site: Dis-Chem Pharmacies Limited . dischem.simplify.hr . 16 September 2025.
3. News: West . Edward . Dis-Chem says February retail growth continued . 16 September 2025 . The Star . 2025 . en.
4. News: Dis-Chem founders sell head office to group for R500m . 16 September 2025 . Moneyweb . 26 January 2024.
5. News: Could The Market Be Wrong About Dis-Chem Pharmacies Limited (JSE:DCP) Given Its Attractive Financial Prospects? . 16 September 2025 . Simply Wall St . Yahoo Finance . 4 August 2025.
6. News: One of South Africa's richest men gives his sons R3.4 billion each . 16 September 2025 . 23 June 2025 . en-ZA.
7. News: Klawansky . Gillian . Lynette and Ivan Saltzman: the chemistry of Dis-Chem . 16 September 2025 . SA Jewish Report . 11 November 2021 . en-ZA.
8. News: Dis-Chem says Thank You! We're Grateful for Your Vote and Support! . 16 September 2025 . Randburg Sun . 21 November 2015.
9. News: Magwaza . Nompumelelo . Dis-Chem continues expansion . 16 September 2025 . IOL . 1 April 2014 . en.
10. News: Strydom . TJ . Dis-Chem raises R4.4bn in placing ahead of IPO . 16 September 2025 . 15 November 2016 . Reuters.
11. News: Dis-Chem Success Story . 16 September 2025 . www.epiuselabs.com . en.
12. News: Strydom . TJ . Dis-Chem to double pharmacies after South African market debut . Reuters . 18 November 2016.
13. Web site: COMPETITION TRIBUNAL FINDS DISCHEM GUILTY OF INFLATING MASK PRICES DURING COVID-19 DISASTER . 16 September 2025.
14. News: Reputational harm causes Dis-Chem to abandon appeal . 16 September 2025 . Juta MedicalBrief . 26 August 2020.
15. Web site: Tribunal fines Dis-Chem R1.2 Million for excessive pricing of face masks during COVID-19 pandemic. 7 July 2020.
16. News: Madisa . Kgothatso . Dis-Chem to challenge Competition Tribunal's fine . 16 September 2025 . SowetanLIVE . 8 July 2020 . en-ZA.
17. News: Dis-Chem fined R1.2m for price inflation . 16 September 2025 . SAnews.gov.za . Mossel Bay Advertiser . 7 July 2020 . en.
18. News: Mahlangu . Thato . Price-gouging Dis-Chem made to pay million rand fine . 16 September 2025 . Corruption Watch . 9 July 2020.
19. News: Bisseker . Neil . Dis-Chem to appeal Tribunal ruling over masks . 16 September 2025 . www.algoafm.co.za . 8 July 2020 . en.