Guardian Health Pharmacy Acquired by Kenyan Startup MYDAWA

Guardian Health Pharmacy, one of the biggest drug distiributors in Uganda, has been acquired by a Kenyan startup  MYDAWA, which announced that it had also raised $20 million 

According to Techmoran.com, MYDAWA raised the capital from Alta Semper, a London, UK-based private equity firm.

The funding will be injected into increasing access to safe, affordable healthcare products and medical services, through a proprietary technology-based solution. MYDAWA controls and provides all its operations including logistics in-house to ensure service levels.

“This investment marks our entry into digital healthcare in Africa, which we see as a major growth area across Africa in the coming years. MYDAWA was the logical choice for us as their groundbreaking technology, underpinning a scalable business model along with regulatory know-how and market entry experience mapped so well to our own strategy," said the Chief Executive of Alta Semper, Afsane Jetha. "The drive to increase access to good advice and safe and affordable medication is core to our overall mission of democratizing access to health and wellbeing across the African continent.”

Guardian Pharmacy, which has multiple branches across the country, was founded by a Ugandan pharmacist named Anthony Natif. Its first branch was opened in 2013 in Kabalagala.

Founded in 2016, MYDAWA provides consumers across the region easy access to safe, affordable healthcare products and medical services, through a proprietary technology-based solution. The company controls and provides all its operations including logistics in-house to ensure service levels. 

Over the years, MYDAWA has grown to become a fully regulated one-stop shop for healthcare with access to consultations, tests, referrals, and a continuous help desk, all accessed by whatever channel suits the customer. 

MYDAWA has also appointed Priscilla Muhiu, former General Manager for Glovo Kenya, to lead its Kenyan business.