Farmacias Similares Opens its First SimiPet Care Clinic

Farmacias Similares is inaugurating its first veterinary clinic, part of its veterinary division SimiPet Care. This marks the company’s entry into Mexico’s growing pet healthcare market. The new business line aims to address rising costs and limited access to veterinary services across the country.

“We realized that in Mexico there is a shortage of veterinary services, which come at a high cost. In response, through SimiPet Care, Farmacias Similares is opening veterinary clinics focused on the care and medical attention of pets,” says Víctor González Herrera, Executive President, Farmacias Similares.

Data from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) show that about 70% of households in Mexico own pets, about 80 million in total, including nearly 44 million dogs and 16 million cats. Yet only 42% of pet owners seek care from veterinary professionals when their animals are ill or injured.

To meet this demand, SimiPet Care clinics will offer basic services such as deworming, vaccinations, wound care, glucose testing, and health certificates for international travel. Medications including antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and pain management treatments will be available at low cost.

The first SimiPet Care clinic opened in Mexico City’s Escandón neighborhood, offering first-contact medical consultations for pets, including dogs, cats, and other animals. The clinic will operate Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. SimiPet Care will begin with 20 veterinary clinics across Mexico.

Farmacias Similares, long known for its affordable human healthcare services, is extending its model to serve the veterinary sector. The move aligns with the company’s broader mission to expand access to essential medical services in underserved areas.

More chain pharmacies in Mexico are expanding into the pet care market. Recently, Farmacias del Ahorro also entered the pet care sector, launching a new business model that integrates veterinary products and services through physical and digital channels, reports MBN.

The global veterinary pharmaceutical market has experienced steady expansion, fueled by factors such as higher disposable incomes, increased government support, and greater awareness of animal health. “Advances in veterinary medicine have created a competitive market, with a wide range of products available,” says Rodolfo Camargo, Director General, El Crisol, to MBN. This diversity is not limited to pharmaceuticals but increasingly extends to services, diagnostic tools, and specialized treatments.

The veterinary drug segment also benefits from its alignment with the One Health vision, a global, integrative approach that links the health of people, animals, and the environment, reports MBN. This framework gained renewed importance during the COVID-19 pandemic and has further emphasized the role of animal health surveillance and pharmaceutical innovation.

Beyond medicines, the veterinary sector is seeing growing investment in services, fueled by changes in consumer behavior. Pet owners now seek comprehensive care options, from medical checkups and emergency services to grooming and insurance coverage.