Delivery firm has the right prescription

Al Dawlia supplies 70% of Libya’s pharmacies.

PRIVATE companies have been allowed to import and distribute pharmaceuticals and medical equipment in Libya since last year, opening up a multi-million dollar market.

One of the first to take advantage of the change was Al Dawlia, which, since it was established in May 2004, has become one of the biggest private pharmaceuticals distributors in the country.

Al Dawlia has 31 employees, three warehouses, and uses its own fleet of specially designed refrigerated vans to make deliveries.

It supplies 800 pharmacies in Tripoli and surrounding areas— representing 70% of the market—and 700 pharmacies in other parts of Libya. An advanced computer system gives the company comprehensive control for distribution, storage, and sales.
Major companies for which it is the exclusive distributor include GlaxoSmithKline Beecham, Hoffman la Roche, and Reckitt Benckiser.

“We have been looking for a leadership position in our field since the company has been established,” says Tareg Abuzakhar, Al Dawlia’s Chairman.

The main challenge, according to Mr. Abuzakhar, has been how to alter the mentality of Libyan society. The task was to get people to accept a situation in which there are many private companies supplying medicines instead of just one, state-run, supplier.

“Our aim has been to gain the trust of the Libyan citizen and to give our foreign partners high standard facilities and services so they know their products are in safe hands,” Mr. Abuzakhar says.
“In the coming years, the experience of private business will allow the government to increase the presence of Libyan private companies in this field.”

Al Dawlia is now looking for more pharmaceutical products and medical equipment manufacturers to represent in the Libyan market.