The pharmacy and drugstore format is constantly growing and transforming. To ensure profitability in the business, retailers in this segment are investing in product diversity, new markets, top talent and electronic security. According to Abrafarma (Brazilian Association of Pharmacy and Drugstore Networks), in 2007 pharmacy networks spent $35 million in security solutions to reduce goods theft, which totaled approximately $42 million last year.

To meet this challenge, Sensormatic do Brasil Eletronica Ltda., a company specializing in electronic security solutions for retail, initially installed the Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) anti-theft system, known in Brazil as Vigilância Eletrônica (Electronic Monitoring) of Goods, in over 15 stores of Drogaria São Paulo - one of the largest pharmacy networks of the national market. Today, out of the more than 240 Drogaria São Paulo stores, 90 are protected by Sensormatic^® solutions.

Based on the highly effective Ultra•Max^® acousto-magnetic (AM) anti-theft technology, Sensormatic EAS systems offer the highest levels of anti-theft detection capabilities available today - a top priority shared by leading retailers. For Drogaria São Paulo, the Sensormatic solution helps create a more convenient shopping experience while protecting items, especially those high theft self service items commonly found in drugstore settings.

AM-based Sensormatic EAS systems help retailers like Drogaria São Paulo detect thefts of metal-based or metal-packaged goods. The AM technology can also detect security tags on goods in metal shopping carts. AM systems have the highest detection rates to protect all types of products commonly sold at Drogaria São Paulo stores. Given the smaller Sensormatic AM tag size compared to the larger RF tags, Drogaria São Paulo can protect a wider variety of items without masking consumer brand, dosing and other important product information.

"By investing in such security, the biggest goal of drugstores is to reduce shoplifting, especially in times of economic crisis as we are experiencing,” explains Luciano Bottura, product manager, Sensormatic do Brasil Eletronica Ltda. “According to our experience shoplifting can result in a loss of up to 1% a year, and the most stolen products are pills - painkillers, muscle relaxants and anti-impotence-, along with shaving devices, sunscreen and suntan lotions because they are easier to be put in pockets or bags.” Also Bottura adds that when pharmacies don't have anti-theft protection systems, they choose to restrict goods which results in reduced sales.

For more information on Sensormatic EAS systems visit www.sensormatic.com/Products/EAS/EAS_home.aspx.