Following its aggressive expansion drive to at least have presence in all the key regions of the continent before further unit expansion, the Ghanaian e-health startup mPharma in partnership with Belayab Pharmaceuticals has launched a new pharmaceutical franchise in Ethiopia called Haltons Pharmacies. This new opening makes it the sixth of such franchises across the continent.
mPharma which was founded in 2013 is a technology-driven healthcare company that specialises in vendor-managed inventory, retail pharmacy operations, and market intelligence serving hospitals, pharmacies, and patients. With headquarters in Ghana, mPharma which is a venture-backed startup has expanded its operations to four other African countries, namely Nigeria, Zambia, Kenya, and Rwanda, and currently has a network of over 300 pharmacies serving more than 100,000 patients each month.
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In 2019, mPharma acquired Kenya’s second-largest pharmacy chain Haltons, and the new franchise agreement with Belayab will see Haltons launch in Ethiopia, mPharma’s sixth market in Sub-Saharan Africa and third in East Africa.
Through the franchise, mPharma and Belayab Pharmaceuticals will open two operational pharmacies in Addis Ababa this year. Each pharmacy launched will offer Mutti – mPharma’s health membership programme – to patients in Ethiopia. Patients will benefit from discounts on their drugs and financing options that can help alleviate the costs of healthcare. Mutti will particularly benefit uninsured patients in Ethiopia who pay out-of-pocket for their medication and therefore bear the brunt of high drug prices.
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“mPharma is connecting and empowering an inclusive universal medical coverage that benefits everyone in Africa by making access to healthcare affordable and safe. We are excited to be entering the Ethiopian market in partnership with Belayab Pharmaceuticals as we continue to build our long-standing commitment to partnerships for the good health of patients,” said Gregory Rockson, chief executive officer (CEO) of mPharma.
“This is an opportunity to develop a commercially-sustainable and scalable health impact in Ethiopia by improving access to quality essential medicines that will help the society-at-large so that everyone can benefit from affordable and safe treatment.”
Kelechi Deca
Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry