Wetherby pharmaceutical startup exports UK medicines to Iraq

CurePharma, the Wetherby-based medicines and pharmaceuticals wholesaler and distributor, has exported the first consignment of British manufactured medicines to Iraq.

A combination of prescription and over-the-counter medicines widely available in the UK has been sent sea freight by the Thorp Arch Estate-based company, which receives support and advice from overseas trade specialist, Chamber International.

Launched by director, Mustafa Al-Shalechy, and business development manager, Ali Alshamari, last August, the business was set up to solve difficulties faced by millions of people in Iraq in obtaining modern medicines to treat many illnesses effectively.

Both Mustafa and Ali gained masters level pharmacy degrees at University of Bradford, to export British pharmaceutical and healthcare products to Iraq.

The initial consignment, sourced through a UK pharmaceuticals company, featured several different medicines including antiplatelets, used to prevent cardiovascular disease and the common pain reliever, paracetamol.

The medicines, worth around £50k in current prescription and retail values, were sent to a large pharmaceutical distributor in Baghdad, and will now be delivered to hospitals, clinics and pharmacies.

Mustafa Al-Shalechy said: “This is our first step in solving difficulties faced by millions of Iraqi people in obtaining modern medicines to treat many common illnesses such as diabetes in a way that we take for granted in the UK.

“A long contraction in the Iraqi economy means that modern medicines are either unavailable or prohibitively expensive for ordinary working people and those that are available are poor quality.

“We aim to improve the quality of many peoples’ lives by making these medicines available and also to play a role in boosting the UK economy by stimulating demand for British medical products in Iraq and throughout the Middle East and becoming a link between UK manufacturers and overseas consumers.

“Demand for high quality medicines is growing in Iraq. A lot of drug stores are springing up and with the health ministries, private and public hospitals and clinics and dispensaries, there is a significant and growing market for British medicines.”

Mustafa Al-Shalechy, who, like Ali Alshamari, came to the UK with his family in the 1990s, commented: “Identifying and exporting UK medicines is a lengthy process as we must get the products licensed for use in Iraq but once everything is in place we expect to be exporting shipments monthly.”

CurePharma is an authorised wholesale distributor recognised by the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency as operating in line with guidelines for good distribution practice by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

Ali Alshamari added: “We are creating partnerships with several high-quality UK brands who want to work with us in developing new overseas markets for their products. We eventually plan to supply a wider range of medicines, including those for cardiovascular, gastro-intestinal, diabetes, respiratory and other conditions, as well as medical equipment.

“Chamber International has been extremely helpful both with practical advice and support but also in helping us refine and develop our original vision for the business.”

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