The answer to Did Dis-Chem buy Medicare? is a big YES. Dis-Chem’s acquisition of Medicare pharmacies is paying off, boosting its footprint and making the company South Africa’s largest retail pharmacy group by dispensary market share. The group’s results for the year ended 28 February 2026 showed that its dispensary market share grew from 21.8% in 2021, to 22.6%.
The acquisition of Medicare Health gives Dis-Chem control of a company that generated revenue of about 1 billion rand for the year ended February and expands its network coverage to 411 pharmacy clinics, it said.
The company also said it would buy an 87.5% stake in clinical management software firm Healthforce and a 25% stake in healthcare solutions provider Kaelo Holdings.
The Kaelo and Healthforce investments “place Dis-Chem at the heart of primary healthcare consumption, at a price point that a growing number of South Africans can start to afford,” it said.
Healthforce is operated in close to 440 clinic rooms across South Africa, the company added.
Dis-Chem last month reported higher half-year earnings, but withheld an interim dividend to conserve cash to fund acquisitions.
($1 = 14.7377 rand)