Medsaf.com founder, Vivian Nwakah, believes quality medication is a fundamental human right

Innovation Village caught up recently with Vivian Nwakah, the founder of Medsaf.com. Vivian believes that quality medication is a fundamental human right and she has gone ahead to provide a platform where this can be actualised.

Medsaf is a technology-enabled pharmaceutical platform connecting high quality, trusted manufacturers to the African medical industry and providing important drug information and facts. Medsaf procures in demand and scarce medications, vitamins, and supplements directly from the leading indigenous and foreign manufacturers, eliminating issues of quality control and substandard or counterfeit drugs.

Medsaf stores these goods and delivers them to pharmacies, hospitals, and clinics all over the country through its extensive, nationwide warehousing and logistics network.

Here are excepts from the interview with the founder of the company, Vivian Nwakah. Vivian has over ten years of experience in management, sales, marketing, strategic planning, business development and fundraising. Her experiences span across North America, Europe, South America and Africa.

Innovation Village (IV): When was Medsaf.com set up?

Vivian Nwakah (VN): Medsaf was formally incorporated September 2016, but we transitioned from a company called Vitamins.ng that was established in 2014.

IV: What has been reception from individuals, medical industry and manufacturers?

VN: Initially our company was started in 2014 and was called vitamins.ng. We were focused on providing high quality vitamins and supplements to the Nigerian consumers. By introducing vitamins.ng, we were able to get in front of individuals, the African medical industry and manufacturers. This helped us understand more of the socioeconomic, cultural expectations, and true needs of the Nigerian medical industry and consumer. Due to this experience, we expanded our scope and pivoted to Medsaf. Medsaf was a direct response to African needs; so Medsaf has been very well received and even demanded.

IV: Have you discussed with the government about this platform? Don’t you think you need accreditations from the relevant institutions for your start-up to be accepted?

VN: We have discussed with high ranking government officials both past and present. Our platform definitely needs to receive support from relevant institutions but this is not a deterrent to gaining acceptance. At the end of the day a medical facility needs a drug procurement option that works.

IV: How have you been able to fund this start-up? Do you thinks you still need funding?

VN: So far the start up has been funded mostly out of pocket. By leveraging our network, we have received  a lot of very expensive consulting and help for free. The Medsaf team is eternally grateful for all the people who have helped us get this far. At this point we do need funding to scale. We want to be in over 3900 medical facilities by 4th quarter 2017 and are looking to raise $375,000 to get there.

IV: What has been your greatest challenge since setting up this business?

VN: Nigeria is a very hard environment to set up a business. Our greatest challenge has been finding a way to deliver what the people need while also developing a plan to overcome some of the government and economic related obstacles that are in place.

IV: Where do you see this business in five years time?

VN: In 5 years we will be the most trusted name in drug procurement across Nigeria. Individuals and businesses will look to us a leader when they want to source quality medications. In five years we will have started expansion into other African countries using our vast network of manufacturer relationships and quality reputation.