Imperial acquires Pharmed Pharmaceutical 05 November 2014

3PL continues to build independent healthcare supply chain business

Imperial Logistics has acquired a major stake in pharmaceutical wholesaler Pharmed Pharmaceutical Pty Ltd. Pharmed is a 29-year-old business which specialises in the wholesale supply and distribution of healthcare related products including ethical, generic, patent and homeopathic medicines surgical, dental and veterinary products and medical equipment.

The entrance of large retail chains into pharmacy and pharmaceutical wholesaling has placed independent pharmacies in a position where their traditional wholesalers have now effectively become the competition.  

Imperial’s strategy of integrating distribution and wholesaling services independent of alignment with any retailer or manufacturer means that independent pharmacies, hospitals and dispensing doctors will have the advantage of a strong, independent wholesale service encompassing a full basket of products, with no ties to any particular brand owners or retail chains, and with complete transparency.

Independent pharmacies are still where the bulk of prescriptions are processed and its through independent pharmacies that improved access to medication is being extended to the emerging middle classes of South Africa.

In the future, Imperial’s model will benefit patients by ensuring that they have access to a full, independent product line up.

Pharmed has warehouse facilities in both Durban and Johannesburg and services more than 5,000 active accounts from the two operations. The Company will be integrated into Imperial’s Health Sciences division.

This transaction complements Imperials’ prior acquisition of Eco Health, the leading pharmaceutical distributor in Nigeria and Fine Pharmaceuticals, a Botswana based pharmaceutical wholesaler as well as the recent acquisition of Dutch pharmaceutical and medical supplies wholesaler, Imres.