The African continent offers a promising window of opportunity for pharmaceutical expansion. South African-based Aspen Pharmacare, which has manufacturing facilities valued in excess of R1 billion and which produce approximately 6 billion tablets per annum, is suitably positioned to manufacture and supply product across Africa.

With its South African presence established, Aspen has been actively engaged in securing strategic alliances with international partners, including those based in Africa, in a bid to increase its geographic footprint in this territory.

Consequently, in May 2008, Aspen acquired 60% of the share capital of Shelys Africa Limited (Shelys), which has operations in East and Central Africa. Kenyan-based Beta Healthcare International, a subsidiary of Shelys is a prominent player in the OTC market in that region as well as a leader in the script market in East Africa, primarily in Tanzania. Shelys manufacturing facility in Dar-es-Salaam, which has recently been upgraded, is capable of manufacturing solids, liquids, capsules and penicillins.

This alliance provides the foundation for Aspen’s expansion into the East and Central African market and the establishment of an affordable quality generics brand presence on the continent.

Aspen’s position in Africa through its relationships with international pharmaceutical companies Gilead Sciences Inc and Tibotec Pharmaceuticals Limited, has positioned the company at the forefront of introducing first world technology  to the continent to support the implementation of the latest  guidelines and protocols for the treatment of HIV/Aids.

Aspen’s range of anti-retrovirals, which include treatment products such as Viread, Truvada and Presista, has established the Group as a valued contributor in the fight against HIV/Aids on the continent.

Aspen’s strategic approach toward providing meaningful solutions against infectious diseases, as well as securing appropriate international partnerships, has created an opportunity for the Group to create a pharmaceutical legacy across the African continent.