Ghanaian Healthtech mPharma Acquires Leading Nigerian Pharmacy Chain HealthPlus

Gregory Rockson, chief executive officer (CEO) of mPharma.

mPharma, the foremost patient-centered and technology-driven healthcare provider on the African continent, has just purchased the majority ownership in HealthPlus, the most prominent drugstore chain in Nigeria. A deal has been made between mPharma and Alta Semper, a previous investor in the company, which will result in mPharma acquiring a controlling position in the HealthPlus Group.

Gregory Rockson, chief executive officer (CEO) of mPharma.
Gregory Rockson, chief executive officer (CEO) of mPharma.

Why The Acquisition

According to mPharma’s CEO and co-founder, Gregory Rockson, the purchase is in keeping with the company’s goal of creating a healthy Africa through the distribution of innovative healthcare solutions. He said that mPharma’s recent purchase of the HealthPlus Pharmacy chain was a natural extension of the company’s efforts to improve Nigerians’ access to low-cost, high-quality medical care.

“mPharma is deepening its long-standing commitment to Africa by reimagining primary healthcare in some of the most vulnerable communities on the continent. We continue to transform community pharmacies into primary care centers to provide affordable and accessible healthcare to all patients so they can live not just longer but healthier lives. We are optimistic about the future of healthcare for Nigerians through the acquisition of HealthPlus”, said Rockson.

“We are delighted about HealthPlus’ partnership with mPharma. We have a strong conviction in mPharma’s strategy of revolutionizing primary care across Africa and believe mPharma is the ideal steward for HealthPlus’s next chapter of growth. We believe mPharma’s vision is consistent with that of HealthPlus’s shareholders and employees, and we are enthusiastic to support the business through a relationship with mPharma going forward,” In her remarks on the acquisition, Afsane Jetha, Co-founder and CEO at Alta Semper Capital, said. 

HealthPlus is now the most well-known pharmacy brand in Nigeria, and mPharma intends to keep it that way. The purchase will provide mPharma a solid foundation on which to build a larger presence in the Nigerian market and to extend its QualityRx mutti pharmacy retail programme across Africa. 

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HealthPlus, which presently retails economical and high-quality drugs throughout 12 states in Nigeria, will soon be able to provide patients access to primary care services within its pharmacies, made possible by mPharma’s proprietary Bloom software. In addition to opening its pharmacies, HealthPlus will introduce mutti®, a health membership programme developed by mPharma that will provide savings, interest-free “heal-now-pay-later” options, free health screenings, and other primary care services to both new and current clients.

With the addition of HealthPlus pharmacies to mPharma’s expanding network of partner mutti pharmacies and GoodHealth stores (PPMVs), mPharma will be able to improve the health of over 100,000 Nigerians every month in more than 320 locations across the country.

Charles Rapulu Udoh

Charles Rapulu Udoh is a Lagos-based lawyer, who has several years of experience working in Africa’s burgeoning tech startup industry. He has closed multi-million dollar deals bordering on venture capital, private equity, intellectual property (trademark, patent or design, etc.), mergers and acquisitions, in countries such as in the Delaware, New York, UK, Singapore, British Virgin Islands, South Africa, Nigeria etc. He’s also a corporate governance and cross-border data privacy and tax expert. 
As an award-winning writer and researcher, he is passionate about telling the African startup story, and is one of the continent’s pioneers in this regard. You can book a session and speak with him using the link: https://insightsbyexpert

Alta Semper Capital names Chidi Okoror as Chief Transformation Officer of Healthplus

Chidi Okoror, Chief Transformation Officer of Healthplus

Leading healthcare and consumer private equity firm, Alta Semper Capital, which controls the majority shareholder of West Africa‘s major pharmaceutical retail chain, HealthPlus, has named Chidi Okoror as Chiet Transformation Officer of HealthPlus and has also announced its continued commitment to the company.  This comes as some shareholders of the company threaten legal action over the decision.  Mr. Chidi Okoro who is on secondment as Chief Transformation Officer (CTO) has the mission  to optimise daily management and elevate the business to novel scale and profitability. The founder of the company, Mrs. Bukky George who remains a director and a shareholder has threatened court action.

Chidi Okoror, Chief Transformation Officer of Healthplus
Chidi Okoror, Chief Transformation Officer of Healthplus

There are also plans to inject fresh capital to accelerate growth and utilise emerging opportunities in global healthcare. Following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, HealthPlus’ strong brand, diverse product mix and wide footprint uniquely position the business to be on the forefront of supply chain innovation and strategic expansion.

Okoro said: “I would like to recognise HealthPlus’ role in spearheading the evolution of modern pharmacies across Nigeria and scaling retail capabilities in the industry overall. “I am incredibly excited to now have the opportunity and the resources to take the platform to the next level, at a time of unrivalled opportunity for the sector. I look forward to working with all stakeholders to achieve even greater things in the future.”

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Okoro is a licensed pharmacist and management executive with over 30 years of multinational and multi-sector experience, spanning leadership roles in pharmaceuticals, personal care, food, and telecommunications.

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