Abidjan, January 28, 2019 – French pharmaceutical company Biogaran, a subsidiary of the Servier Group specialized in generic medicines, announces the launch of its operations in Ivory Coast. Since the beginning of January, Biogaran has been selling 14 medicines from its range of more than 800 drugs. The launching ceremony was held in the presence of French Ambassador's Counselor, Ms. Annick Diener and of the Minister of Health and Public Hygiene of Ivory Coast, Dr. Aka Aouélé Eugène.
Biogaran's drugs portfolio covers a wide range of diseases that are increasingly present on the African continent such as diabetes, high blood pressure and bacterial infections. 11 of the 14 drugs sold by Biogaran are labeled essential and responding to public health challenges, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
In Ivory Coast, Biogaran provides patients with medicines imported from France. These drugs are manufactured in strict accordance with European standards and are available at a fair price. All Biogaran medicines are bioequivalent to the brand name drugs, ensuring an equivalent efficiency. Biogaran is also committed to monitoring all pharmaco-vigilance cases in Ivory Coast.
"Biogaran wishes to promote access to quality healthcare in West and Central Africa. We want to offer products that meet European standards at an affordable price. Thanks to an encouraging business climate and to strong logistical facilities, Ivory Coast appears to be the ideal base for our deployment in French-speaking West and Central Africa", says Emmanuel Le Dœuff, Biogaran's General Manager and International Affairs Director.
Public health is one of the priorities that must be addressed to support and accelerate the development of the African continent. In 2005, according to the World Health Organization, 5.7% of the population in Ivory Coast suffered from diabetes and 21.7% from high blood pressure. In African countries in general, the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases is increasing sharply and patient care is sometimes insufficient. In addition to the challenge for high quality and affordable medicine, the penetration of counterfeit products is reaching an alarming rate. The WHO estimates that each year in Africa, 100 000 people die from the use of counterfeit drugs.
As part of the Corporate Health Program, a CIAN initiative, Biogaran commits to provide free medical samples to recently diagnosed patients and support awareness campaigns against cardiovascular diseases.
Biogaran's presence in Africa is already established since 2017, through Swipha, a Nigeria-based drug production and distribution company.
About Biogaran
Biogaran is a French pharmaceutical laboratory specialized in generic drugs, a subsidiary of Servier and headquartered in Colombes (France). Founded in 1996, it is now the French leader in generic drugs. In 2018, Biogaran generated gross sales of €1.252 billion with 290 million units sold. Internationally, the group is present in Brazil through Pharlab, and in Nigeria with the acquisition of Swipha in 2017, a local generic specialist.
More information: www.biogaran.fr
About Servier
Servier is an international pharmaceutical laboratory governed by a Foundation and headquartered in Suresnes, France. With a solid international presence in 149 countries and a turnover of €4.152 billion in 2017, Servier employs 21,700 people worldwide. Fully independent, the Group reinvests 25% of its turnover (originator business) in Research and Development and uses all its profits for the benefit of development. The Group's growth is based on a constant search for innovation in five areas of excellence : cardiovascular, immune-inflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases, cancer and diabetes, as well as an activity in quality generic drugs. Servier also offers e-health solutions that go beyond drug development.
More information: www.servier.com
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Joanne Eyango
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