XRP Healthcare, a leader in healthcare innovation, has officially acquired Pharma Ville, a prominent retail and wholesale pharmacy chain in Uganda. This acquisition underscores XRP Healthcare’s commitment to merging digital innovation with traditional pharmaceutical distribution, aiming to revolutionize healthcare delivery in emerging markets.
The move represents a significant step forward for XRP Healthcare as it expands into the African market, building on its existing presence in the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates. By entering Uganda, XRP Healthcare is laying the groundwork for scalable, technology-driven pharmaceutical distribution across Africa’s rapidly evolving healthcare sector.
XRP Healthcare is strategically positioned to tap into Africa’s healthcare market, which is projected to reach $259 billion by 2030, and the digital health segment encompassing AI-driven solutions expected to grow to $16.6 billion.
According to Kain Roomes, CEO of XRP Healthcare, Uganda’s fragmented pharmaceutical landscape offers significant potential. By integrating Pharma Ville, XRP Healthcare aims to improve access to essential medicines and optimize healthcare delivery.
Pharma Ville plays a critical role in Uganda’s healthcare sector, collaborating with the National Medical Stores (NMS) and Joint Medical Stores (JMS) to ensure a consistent supply of essential medicines. With two retail pharmacies and five wholesale distribution centers strategically located across Uganda, Pharma Ville’s infrastructure enhances nationwide access to medicines.
Through this acquisition, XRP Healthcare aims to streamline pharmaceutical supply chains and expand its footprint in Africa’s healthcare market. The acquisition includes 60 registered pharmaceutical products, 18 ready for immediate commercialization, and 70 additional products awaiting regulatory approval.
Richard Kitonsa (MPS), Founder and CEO of Pharma Ville, described the acquisition as transformative. “This move allows us to scale operations rapidly, introduce innovative technologies, and better serve Uganda’s healthcare needs,” he said.
By the fourth quarter of this year, Pharma Ville will rebrand as XRP Healthcare, aligning with the company’s vision for innovation and healthcare excellence. The XRPH AI app, a multilingual healthcare assistant, has already been integrated into Pharma Ville’s digital platform (www.pharmaville.ai).
The app provides medical guidance in Luganda, Swahili, Kinyarwanda, French, and English. An upcoming update will enable users to upload images of medical conditions for AI-assisted preliminary assessments, with direct referrals to healthcare professionals for critical cases.
Peter Waswa, a strategic advisor to UNICEF, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and currently at XRP, praised the acquisition as a significant step toward addressing healthcare challenges.
“This acquisition strengthens Uganda’s healthcare sector, fosters economic growth, and introduces essential technologies. It’s a major step forward for healthcare accessibility in Uganda,” he said.
Pharma Ville will undergo immediate operational upgrades, including:
- Advanced inventory management to optimize supply chains
- Upgraded licensing to expand product offerings
- Enhanced distribution channels for wider reach
- Digital payment integration for seamless transactions
- New CRM systems to improve customer engagement
Laban Roomes, COO of XRP Healthcare, highlighted the groundwork done to ensure rapid scaling. “We have spent significant time in Uganda developing the legal and operational frameworks needed to expand quickly. Our efforts will drive long-term improvements in healthcare accessibility,” he said.
Shonubi Musoke & Co. Advocates, one of Uganda’s leading law firms and a partner of the globally renowned Norton Rose Fulbright, advised XRP Healthcare on the transaction, ensuring a smooth legal and regulatory transition.
Pharma Ville also has distribution agreements with eight global pharmaceutical suppliers, reinforcing its robust supply chain network:
- Toros Group (Switzerland) – Orthopedic supplies
- Ascensia Switzerland (Germany) – Diabetic care solutions
- Incepta Pharmaceuticals Ltd (Bangladesh) – Human drugs
- Amanta Health Care Limited (India) – Intravenous fluids
- Forans Latvia (Latvia) – Diabetic care products
- Mediteks (Turkey) – Surgical equipment
- Naari Pharma Pvt Limited (India) – Human drugs
- Universal Corporation Limited (Kenya) – Human drugs
