Eighty-eight years ago, a small herbal pharmacy opened in Naga, Bicol, not with grand ambitions or headlines, but with a simple mission to make healthcare more accessible to the community it served. That quiet dedication became the foundation of what is now Southstar Drug.
Today, the company marks a major milestone with the opening of its 700th store, located in UP Diliman. More than a celebration of numbers, it is a reaffirmation of Southstar Drug’s commitment to being present where it matters most, when it matters most, for every Filipino.
Since becoming part of Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc., Southstar Drug has built on its legacy of trust and service. Founded in 1937, the brand officially celebrates its 88th year in 2025, making it one of the oldest and most established names in the Philippine drugstore industry.
“We’ve grown steadily, branch by branch, community by community,” said Thaddeus Sanchez, General Manager of Southstar Drug. “Every store we open carries with it a promise to serve with compassion, reliability, and care.”
From its humble beginnings in the Bicol region, Southstar Drug has expanded throughout South and Central Luzon, including a strong presence in provinces like Pampanga. Its entry into Metro Manila has brought the same spirit of service to more urban communities, enhanced by innovations like drive-thru pharmacies now available in Muntinlupa, Marikina, and Pampanga.
Southstar Drug continues to fulfill its mission of bringing quality healthcare closer to Filipino families. Recent store launches in Masinloc, Zambales (2022), Lagonoy, Camarines Sur (2024), Cauayan, Masbate (2024), and now UP Diliman reflect a strategy focused not just on growth but on impact, reaching areas that are often underserved and distant from commercial centers.
Beyond physical stores, its robust e-commerce platform helps ensure that even those outside major cities can access the medicines they need quickly and conveniently.
The UP Diliman branch represents more than geographic expansion. It signifies meaningful integration into a vibrant academic community. Southstar Drug has long supported the University Health Services through donations and currently sponsors the UP Track and Field Team, showing how a brand can contribute with purpose rather than promotion.
“Every decision we’ve made is guided by purpose,” said one Southstar team member. “In Lagonoy, for example, residents used to travel almost two hours just to buy basic medicine. Now, our store is simply part of their everyday routine. That’s the kind of impact we strive for with each new location.”
As Southstar Drug continues to expand in Metro Manila, more city residents will experience the same personal touch and quiet dedication that has long defined its provincial roots. Whether located beside a Shopwise or nestled in a familiar corner near a Robinsons store, Southstar Drug offers more than medicine. It brings a sense of care and connection to every neighborhood it serves.
With a goal to reach 800 stores by 2026, Southstar Drug remains committed to its founding belief that healthcare is not a privilege. It is a promise, delivered with humility, consistency, and care, one Filipino at a time.
