Nigerian Pharmaceutical Distribution startup DrugStoc has landed its own Series A funding to the tune of $4.4 million, according to TechCrunch.
In Africa, the pharmaceutical supply chain has been fractured for decades. This has resulted in challenges in distribution and sourcing, as well as concerns about quality as fake and substandard products have begun to flood the market. The good news is however that these issues that are facing the pharmaceutical supply chain are fixable.
Chibuzo Opara and Adham Yehia who are highly familiar with the problems of poor pharmaceutical supply chains, are planning to spread the reach of DrugStoc. DrugStoc is an e-health drug acquisition platform that does its best to fight against these challenges by linking drug companies with health institutions such as hospitals and pharmacies across the country.
DrugStoc is presently on a highly vigorous expansion plan, which includes delivering standard quality pharmaceutical products to 100 million people, after recently securing the $4.4 million Series A funding.
The startup’s current plan is to expand into 16 states within the country as it seeks to move beyond Lagos, the economic hub of Nigeria. Asides this is its much bigger plan to expand beyond Nigeria into other markets within Africa.
The availability of high-quality, standard pharmaceutical products especially within the country will result in the prevention of thousands of potential deaths. These include loss of life which is linked to loss of blood during childbirth, or children losing the fight against diarrheal diseases.
TechCrunch reports that the company has stated that it currently serves about 14 million people.
The startup’s funding round was spearheaded by Africa HealthCare Master Fund (AAIC), with investments following from Chicago-based venture firm Vested World, German Development Bank (DEG) and individuals with high net worths who have strong interest in tech-health.
AAIC Director, Nobuhiko Ichimaya said that the Fund is “glad” to support a company which is now positioned to be an important player in the growth of the tech-health sector in Africa.