Pholcodine-containing medicines taken off the shelves in SA
The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) has withdrawn pholcodine-containing medicines from the South African (SA) market due...
Macleods South Africa Pty Ltd, with a vision of providing high-quality, affordable and innovative therapeutic solutions for patients with diverse medical needs, has entered the private pharmaceutical sector in South Africa as a silent storm that has already impacted the local market quite substantially. AND there is more to come.
Photo caption (from left to right): Manoranajn Prasad (CFO Macleods Pharmaceuticals SA), Ed Hallam (CEO Abex Pharmaceutica), Jacques Van Staden (CEO Macleods Pharmaceuticals SA), John Hallam (Chairman Abex Pharmaceutica)
Since mid-2022, Macleods continues to make significant investment in SA to markedly expand its private business presence by the appointment of a local team of sales, marketing, and financial experts to support their existing regulatory and logistics specialists. In the short period following their appointment, the local team has not only successfully reintroduced rivastigmine to improve the quality of life of thousands of patients with Alzheimer’s disease in an affordable manner but has also made their presence felt in the cardiovascular, TB, psychiatry, and neurology markets.
The South African team is now headed up by the commercially astute CEO Jacques van Staden. Under his leadership, Macleods South Africa has successfully launched 41 products since November last year and plans to introduce an additional 52 products before end of June. Of these, ziprasidone is a first-to-market generic. This is testimony to Macleods’ ability to launch both innovative and first-to-market molecules.
To further fuel its growth strategy and in line with its endeavours to broaden its product offering to patients and HCPs in SA, Macleods have entered a strategic commercial arrangement with Abex Pharmaceutica. The partnership provides Macleods with access to a significant range of products that are highly synergistic to the portfolio. The majority of these are in advanced stages of registration, which ensure that, apart from Macleods’ in-house pipeline, there is a huge, committed investment to launch over 70 products over the next 12 to 18 months. In addition, Macleods has secured exclusive access to a pipeline of more than 100 new dossiers through EDGE Pharmaceuticals Limited, including options to bring new innovation, biosimilars, and value-added niche products to patients and HCPs in our country.
According to the Chief Executive Officer, Jacques Van Staden “There is an ongoing selection process and prioritisation that will complement Macleods internal research & development pipeline. Through the collaboration with Abex and EDGE, we will further accelerate the development of the pipeline with clear emphasis on core therapeutic areas, including some innovative offerings”.
Ed Hallam, Chief Executive Officer of Abex Pharmaceutica, commented: “We value the experience and proven track record of the Macleods SA management team under Jacques’s leadership and are delighted to expand our partnership with them. The closing of the transaction is in line with our strategy and brings a highly synergistic focus into the delivery of our portfolio.”
The Macleods South Africa team is backed by Macleods Pharma India, which is one of the top 10 companies in the Indian pharmaceutical market. Macleods provides innovative and quality medicines to patients in more than 170 countries across the globe. They commenced their operations in South Africa in 2006 and during this time their operations were driven by the market for essential medicines including antituberculosis and antiretroviral products.
Abex Pharmaceutica (Pty) Ltd is a South African-based international healthcare company involved in the development, manufacturing, registration, and commercialisation of prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceuticals which have been clinically proven to meet international standards. The company is recognised globally for its networks and excellence in service, reliability, high quality, effective and innovative healthcare solutions.
SOURCE: Macleods Press Release