WINDHOEK – Two women have opened a pharmacy in Okuryangava suburb of Windhoek, in a bold move that saw them knocking, in futile, on a number of commercial banks’ doors for financing. The favourable response came from the Development Bank of Namibia (DBN).
The two ladies, Grace Mangwenzi and Marian Amoo, already operate a pharmacy in Windhoek West. However, they saw an opportunity in the changes in the pharmaceutical dispensing requirements, which limit a doctor’s ability to dispense medicine. They realised the opportunity to open up a pharmacy in the location where there are no pharmacies.
“We really struggled in the beginning, and it was a bit of a challenge when we started our business but now things are improving,” said Magwenzi, adding : “There is no pharmacy in Okuryangava and the closest pharmacy is in Soweto and Lafrenz.”
She said a pharmacy in Okuryangava would be convenient as residents would not have to go far for their medical needs. Many common ailments such as colds and flu can be treated with over-the-counter medication provided by qualified pharmacists. This also reduces the cost of private health care.
According to Magwenzi, finance has been a drawback for the company. “It is always difficult for women, especially women from previously disadvantaged groups, to start up a business. There were always negative responses when applying for a loan,” she said.
Doctors are no longer allowed to dispense medication to patients at the doctor’s practice and they are now required to have certification to dispense medicine, under the new licensing requirements of the Medicines and Related Substance Act. This means a doctor’s practice is now not able to dispense medicine to patients, creating a gap in the health services environment for new pharmacies to open in communities.
“In light of this, the business plan that the bank received from the owners of Green Light was assessed as viable,” said Heike Smith, the acting head of lending at DBN.
Magwenzi said that getting the right location, close to the target market, was also a problem, but locating it close to a major retail outlet increased the likelihood of success, as many residents would visit the pharmacy while they do their grocery shopping. She says by staying open till 19h30 the pharmacy would be convenient for employees who do not want to disrupt their working hours to get medicine, as well as for out-of-hours requirements for medication.
“The owners of Green Light clearly did their homework, understood the needs and possibilities of the location and, because of the obvious health benefits to the community and healthcare savings to individuals, DBN took a sense of satisfaction in this approval,” Smith said.
By Staff Reporter