A new contract awarded to Imperial Logistics by one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies, MSD (known as Merck & Co., Inc., in the United States and Canada), will see the supply chain and logistics leader – ranked in the top 25 global logistics providers and employing approximately 30 000 people in 38 countries – handling the distribution and promotion of MSD products into selected African markets.
“Leveraging our new SSiH (Simplified Solutions in Healthcare) model, Imperial Logistics has offered MSD an effective, tailor-made distribution solution that addresses the challenges and complexities of pharmaceutical logistics in Africa,” reports Johan Truter, CEO of Imperial Logistics African Regions. “SSiH answers the specific needs for effective route to market management in African markets, benefiting all stakeholders – including patients, pharmaceutical companies, in-country partners and service providers and local regulators,” he elaborates.
“The commercial benefits to our clients will be to reduce their complexity, costs, and the risk of managing different geographies in sub-Saharan Africa. The supply chain benefits will include an efficient route to market, geared towards increasing sales volumes. A regular, rapid re-supply from regional hubs shortens order-delivery lead times, allows increased frequency of deliveries, and thus reduces stocks-outs and lost sales.”
Truter explains that Imperial Logistics’ newly created SSiH model was developed specifically to meet the needs of clients like MSD, which are seeking a simple, effective solution for pharmaceutical sales and distribution in small- to medium-sized markets in Africa. He stresses that the model benefits patients too, through stabilising prices and ensuring improved access to medicines and healthcare commodities.
“It is anticipated that this new “go-to-market” model will reaffirm our commitment to existing markets and bring new markets into scope,” expands Neren Rau, MSD’s director of external affairs and policy for Sub-Saharan Africa. “It is further expected that the new partnership will provide us with stronger capabilities in meeting the unmet health needs of patients in Africa,” Rau stresses.
The contract encompasses logistics and promotional services for MSD products supplied into Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Angola, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Ghana. “Our demand generation capability will drive sales growth and ensure the availability of MSD products in these markets,” says Truter.
“Imperial Logistics is honoured to drive and support MSD’s commitment to saving and improving lives on the African continent,” Truter concludes.
