AMI PROJECT • PAKISTAN
PHARMACY PROJECT:
AQEEL ABBAS
Vision
Becoming the community's go-to seller
Aqeel Abbas, a 30-year-old entrepreneur, operates a small community pharmacy serving local residents with essential medicines. He has been running the pharmacy for the past three years, purchasing medicines wholesale and selling them directly to customers.
To support his family and maintain financial stability, Aqeel works night shifts as a security guard while managing the pharmacy during the day. His household expenses are fully covered by his salaried job, allowing pharmacy profits to be reinvested back into the business. He owns his home, rents the shop space, and is well established and trusted within the community.
The challenge
A tight cash flow cycle
Despite steady demand, the pharmacy struggles to grow due to limited working capital:
Inventory Shortages: Insufficient funds lead to frequent stockouts of fast-moving and essential medicines, forcing customers to purchase elsewhere.
Lost Sales: Inconsistent inventory directly reduces daily revenue and limits customer retention.
Growth Constraints: Without adequate capital, the pharmacy cannot expand its product range or increase turnover, keeping the business underperforming despite strong local demand.
The impact
A self-sustaining cycle
With a loan of PKR 70,000, the pharmacy can immediately stabilize operations and improve performance:
Improved Stock Availability: Consistent inventory will reduce lost sales and meet daily customer needs.
Increased Revenue: A wider and reliable product range will attract repeat customers and increase turnover.
Sustainable Growth: Aqeel’s stable income from his security job allows profits to be reinvested, supporting steady repayment and business expansion.
Strong Oversight: Local monitoring by Noor strengthens accountability and long-term sustainability. This loan directly enables business continuity, income stability, and improved access to essential medicines for the surrounding community.