REMEDIAL HEALTH

Digitizing the pharmaceutical supply chain

By LORRAINE ABWAO

In an exclusive interview with Healthcare

Middle East and Africa Magazine, Samuel Okwuada, the CEO of Remedial Health, provides a captivating glimpse into the potential of his YC-backed startup to revolutionize healthcare delivery in Africa. Combining his expertise as a pharmacist with his self-taught software engineering skills, Okwuada sheds light on how Remedial Health aims to bridge critical gaps in the healthcare sector using technology and evidence-based data. With a strong focus on Nigeria and beyond, this young and dynamic startup is determined to make a meaningful impact on communities through its innovative approach.

Empowering Pharmacies And Hospitals With Innovative Solutions

In the fast-paced world of healthcare, Remedial Health has emerged as a game-changer, providing pharmacies and hospitals with cuttingedge technology solutions to streamline their operations. Samuel Okwuada, the visionary behind Remedial Health, sheds light on their key service offerings and how they are revolutionizing the way medical businesses function.

At the core of the Remedial Health platform lies a powerful software solution, aptly named the remedial platform. Okwuada explains, "The remedial platform is software that can be installed on the computer in your pharmacy, offering comprehensive features such as inventory management, business analytics, and auto-replenishment." This sophisticated software acts as a point-of-sale (POS) system, enabling seamless processing of payments for products and services.

Recognizing the diverse needs of the healthcare industry, Remedial Health also offers a convenient mobile app. Okwuada elaborates, "The Remedial mobile app serves as an alternative for pharmacies that do not have a desktop computer on their premises." This mobile app provides easy access to the same powerful software features, empowering pharmacies to manage inventory, place orders, and cater to the needs of their patients efficiently.

With Remedial Health, pharmacies and hospitals gain access to a vast range of pharmaceutical products. Okwuada emphasizes, "You can use the Remedial mobile app to place orders for various medical supplies, including antimalarials, pain relief medication, surgical products, and more." Their swift delivery system ensures that wholesale goods are promptly replenished, allowing healthcare providers to serve their patients without disruptions.

Furthermore, Remedial Health goes beyond inventory management by offering inventory financing. Okwuada explains, "Pharmacies can purchase pharmaceutical products they need via the mobile app and sell them to patients before paying back for the services." This innovative approach not only supports business growth but also fosters financial stability for healthcare providers.

In addition to its comprehensive software solutions, Remedial Health plays a pivotal role in facilitating market access for foreign companies aiming to enter the Nigerian market. Okwuada emphasizes, "We assist foreign companies with market access and provide valuable data to pharmaceutical manufacturers, enabling them to make informed decisions." This collaborative approach fosters a vibrant ecosystem where stakeholders can thrive and contribute to the advancement of healthcare in Nigeria.

To learn more about Remedial Health and the full range of services they provide, visit their official website at remedial. health or remedial.com.

On A Mission To Avail Genuine Medicines At Fair Prices

At the heart of Remedial Health's mission lies the recognition of a significant gap in the health sector in Africa. Okwuada emphasizes, "One of the crucial components of healthcare is medicine. So, the question arises: How do you get medicines from manufacturers down to patients in supply chains?" This simple yet profound inquiry sets the stage for Remedial Health's transformative solutions.

The drug supply chain in Africa grapples with a multitude of obstacles that hinder effective healthcare delivery. Okwuada identifies traceability issues, the prevalence of counterfeit products, and the exorbitant pricing of medicines as the primary challenges impeding progress. These critical issues necessitate innovative interventions to ensure the availability of genuine pharmaceutical products and fair pricing for patients.

Remedial Health rises to the occasion by leveraging technology to establish a traceable supply chain in Africa. Okwuada explains, "We are making sure that there is a traceable supply chain in Africa by leveraging technology to deliver quality, genuine pharmaceutical products." Through their pioneering efforts, Remedial Health seeks to eliminate the scourge of counterfeit medicines that infiltrate the supply chain, protecting patients from potential harm.

To ensure the utmost integrity and adherence to regulatory standards, Remedial Health has obtained regulatory approvals from esteemed bodies in the country. Okwuada proudly declares, "We have received regulatory approvals from various esteemed organizations, including the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), as well as the Federal Ministry of Health."

The impact of Remedial Health's efforts is already evident. Okwuada reveals, "In 2022, we sold over 100 million individual packs of medicines across Nigeria." This remarkable achievement is a testament to the dedication and effectiveness of Remedial Health in ensuring that only genuine and quality medicines enter the supply chain and consumer market.

As Samuel Okwuada looks to the future, his vision extends beyond Nigeria. He aims to combat the circulation of counterfeit medicines not only within Nigeria but also across Africa. By doing so, Remedial Health seeks to elevate healthcare standards and improve access to safe and affordable medicines throughout the continent.

Revolutionizing Healthcare Through Technology And Collaboration

In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, Remedial Health stands at the forefront, driven by a passion to transform the medicine supply chain in Africa. With a deep understanding of the healthcare market, Okwuada acknowledges,

"Despite the competitive nature of this digital space, the healthcare market is massive, and there are still huge opportunities to tap into." He emphasizes that Remedial Health possesses one of the best approaches for distributing medicines in Africa, evident from its rapid growth since its launch. This success story validates their technology-based approach, which sets them apart from competitors.

While Remedial Health operates in the healthcare industry, Okwuada highlights, "We don't think of ourselves as a health business. We think of ourselves as a technology business first." This unique perspective underlies their core identity as innovators, leveraging technology to address supply chain challenges in the pharmaceutical industry across Africa. Their relentless pursuit of technological solutions enables them to outpace competitors, propelling their growth and impact.

Reflecting on their distinctiveness, Okwuada shares, "Our technology massively differentiates us from other digital pharmacy companies in the region. Remedial Health's approach to sourcing and distributing medicines is completely different from the competition." By harnessing technology and optimizing its processes, Remedial Health ensures efficiency and effectiveness in its operations, enhancing its ability to serve a larger customer base.

Collaboration lies at the heart of Remedial Health's success. Okwuada explains, "We are a B2B platform, selling medicine wholesale to other businesses in Nigeria." Currently, they have established partnerships with six B2B pharmacies, which rely on Remedial Health for sourcing medicines and procuring cutting- edge technology. Furthermore, a collaboration with Stallion Advisory, a healthcare consulting company backed by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, exemplifies their commitment to impactful partnerships.

Looking ahead, Okwuada expresses their eagerness to explore opportunities for collaboration with entrepreneurs in healthrelated startups within their target markets. By forging strategic partnerships, Remedial Health seeks to synergize efforts, drive innovation, and amplify its impact in the healthcare industry.

The implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement holds great promise for Remedial Health's expansion plans. Okwuada states, "We are closely watching the implementation of the agreement, as it is expected to ease the movement of pharmaceutical goods between African countries and reduce the prices of medicines across the continent." This development aligns perfectly with Remedial Health's mission, enabling them to scale its operations and launch into multiple countries, making a greater impact on healthcare access.

Proudly highlighting a significant milestone, Okwuada shares, "In 2022, Remedial Health was selected to join the prestigious Y Combinator accelerator, known as the Harvard of technology startups." This achievement not only validates their innovative approach but also provides invaluable mentorship from accomplished technology entrepreneurs. “Acceptance into Y Combinator serves as a stamp of approval, reinforcing their commitment to tackling a vital problem in the healthcare industry,” he explains.

Reimagining The Pharmaceutical Supply Chain And Stamping Out Counterfeits In Africa

Talking about the inspiration behind establishing Remedial Health, Samuel Okwuada, the driven CEO, shares his personal journey. He recounts, "I grew up in Nigeria and moved to the United Kingdom for higher studies. After completing an international Master's degree in Pharmacy, I made the decision to set up a pharmaceutical import business."

Reflecting on the challenges faced, he adds, "We would source medical products from India and sell them in Nigeria's highly disorganized pharmaceutical market, dominated by numerous middlemen and improper storage of medicines."

The turning point came during the first wave of the global COVID-19 pandemic when hospitals sought direct assistance due to the closure of pharmaceutical markets under lockdown measures. Okwuada reveals, "Hospitals started reaching out to us for sourcing medicines, given the constraints imposed by the containment measures." This critical situation became the catalyst for Okwuada and his team to take action and address the access-to-medicine challenges faced during Nigeria's lockdowns.

Driven by a desire to transform the pharmaceutical supply chain, Okwuada explains, "We took the opportunity to sanitize the supply chain by establishing direct connections with manufacturers and selling products directly to pharmacies and hospitals." In Okwuada's own words, "We are not only reimagining the pharmaceutical supply chain but also helping to get rid of counterfeits in Africa."

The magnitude of the counterfeit medicine problem is alarming. Okwuada cites the World Health Organization's estimate that approximately 30 percent of all medicines sold on the continent are counterfeit. In light of this sobering statistic, Remedial Health has taken up the mantle to tackle this issue head-on.

"At Remedial Health, we are digitizing the pharmaceutical supply chain in Africa," Okwuada proudly declares. Their efforts go beyond simply providing software solutions for pharmacies and hospitals. They are actively working to strengthen the medical supply chain and enhance inventory financing, ensuring a streamlined and efficient process.

A BEACON OF THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF VALUES-DRIVEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP

In the heart of Remedial Health's operations lie a set of core values that guide their every endeavor. Samuel Okwuada, the visionary CEO, opens up about these guiding principles and their significance within the organization.

With unwavering conviction, Okwuada asserts, "The core values of our organization are integrity, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Above all else, we place integrity at the forefront of all our operations at Remedial Health." This steadfast commitment to integrity forms the bedrock of their approach to business and shapes their interactions with stakeholders at every level.

As the company continues to grow rapidly, with a workforce of over 130 employees, Okwuada shares a valuable piece of advice. He encourages individuals to embrace a business mindset, urging them to think critically about their actions and decisions. He explains, "We believe that the more straightforward and transparent we are, the better it is for everyone involved. I often remind people to ask themselves, 'What would you do differently if it was your business and you needed it to succeed?'"

In their relentless pursuit of excellence, Remedial Health draws inspiration from global pioneers in various fields. Okwuada cites luminaries such as Bill Gates for philanthropy, Mark Zuckerberg for innovation, and Aliko Dangote for business acumen. Such inspiration fuels Remedial Health's drive to redefine healthcare delivery through the seamless fusion of technology and compassion. These role models serve as beacons of inspiration, guiding Okwuada in his pursuit of excellence and success.

Transforming Healthcare Delivery And Expanding Horizons

Looking ahead, Remedial Health envisions broader horizons, extending its impact beyond Nigeria. Okwuada shares, "We are exploring opportunities to open a new hub in another African country as part of our expansion plans." By tapping into the vast potential of African markets, Remedial Health aims to catalyze positive change and establish a pan-African network of healthcare innovation.

With a diverse portfolio, Remedial Health operates through two subsidiaries in Nigeria. Okwuada explains, "We have Remedial

Health Solutions Limited, which specializes in offering software and supply chain solutions, and Kessington Global Synergy, dedicated to providing private label medicines." This comprehensive approach allows Remedial Health to cater to various aspects of healthcare delivery, from innovative technology solutions to quality pharmaceutical products.

While Remedial Health's operations span 26 states in Nigeria, its main hub is strategically located in Lagos State, the commercial capital of the country. However, the company is not content with resting on its laurels. Recently, Remedial Health established two additional hubs—one in Northern Nigeria and another in the Federal Capital Territory. Okwuada states, "These hubs are instrumental in expanding our pharmaceutical business into new states across the country, ensuring wider access to our products and services."

The company is actively considering Senegal, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Kenya, Egypt, and other African nations as potential target markets. Leveraging the knowledge and expertise of global investors who have already invested in these markets, Remedial Health seeks to make informed decisions and forge successful partnerships