London, September 2019
TLG Capital and Medical Credit Fund today announced an investment in Express, a Lagos-based mass market pharmacy retail chain. The investment will help expand Express’ footprint across Lagos. With a plethora of fake medical products in Nigeria, Express Pharmacy targets the underserved middle to low income earners who do not have access to quality medication. According to a Dalberg study, middle-low income consumers represent over 40% of the population in Lagos.
The investment is made through TLG’s Credit Opportunities Fund and is in partnership with Medical Credit Fund.
Most pharmacies in Nigeria, serving the mass market, are unlicensed sole traders with non-existent supply chain management resulting in a high level of counterfeit products being served to customers. Express Pharmacy on the other hand, is already helping solve this problem by standardizing its supply chain across its retail stores ensuring product availability and authenticity.
Ms. Abimbola Faseun of Express Pharmacy said: “We are extremely delighted to announce the investment we have secured from TLG Capital and Medical Credit Fund. This is a major step forward for our vision of building a nationwide chain of community pharmacies that will offer underserved communities with high quality medicines at affordable prices.”
Saad Sheikh, Principal of Private Investments who led the deal for TLG: “We are excited by our recent investment in Express Pharmacy which further demonstrates our continued commitment to healthcare across Sub Saharan Africa by enhancing innovative business models such as Express. This investment further validates our commitment to UN’s Sustainable Development Goals of ‘No Poverty’ ‘Good Health and Well Being’ and ‘Gender Equality’.”
“This is a major step forward for our vision of building a nationwide chain of community pharmacies that will offer underserved communities with high quality medicines at affordable prices.”
Dorien Mulder, Investment Manager at Medical Credit Fund: “As part of PharmAccess Group we are dedicated to improving access to quality healthcare in Africa through innovations and partnerships. We value the partnership with TLG to support the entrepreneurs of Express to grow this promising model. Express can make a positive and much needed impact on the quality of care available to lower income Nigerians.”
About Express Pharmacy:
Founded in 2018, Express Pharmacy is a chain of pharmacy stores that offers low prices, quality products and world class service. Each store offers its customers the lowest prices within a 2km radius, a guarantee of authentic quality drugs and world class service in a bright and air-conditioned environment. By the end of 2020, Express Pharmacy will have a state-wide network of stores in Lagos. Read more about Express Pharmacy.
About Medical Credit Fund:
Established in 2009 as part of the PharmAccess Group to increase access to better healthcare services in sub-Saharan Africa for low-income patients. It remains the only dedicated fund to finance and support small and medium-sized healthcare enterprises in Africa. So far, the fund has extended over 3,500 loans totalling US$ 62 million. www.medicalcreditfund.org