Commercial Operations

Africa

At Acino Africa, we provide high-quality medicines and medical devices that add value to our customers and make a difference to patients’ lives. Together with our partners, we strive to make a meaningful impact on the healthcare system and the well-being of patients across Africa, while helping to build a healthier future.

  • 1992

    Founded

  • 250+

    Products across Rx and OTC

  • Ranked 4th

    Among private pharma companies in South Africa

  • B-BBEE Level 1

    Five consecutive years

About Acino Africa

Acino Africa operates in 25 countries: Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, South African, Tanzania, Uganda.

A long-established and proven track record

The origin of Acino dates back to 1836 when the company was founded around a saltworks operation near Basel, Switzerland. In 2017, Acino acquired Litha Healthcare to expand its footprint in the Southern African market. This was also a significant milestone for Acino, as it helped to strengthen its position in the Central East Africa and Mauritian pharmaceutical landscape, making innovative healthcare products and expertise accessible.

Since then, the group developed its portfolio to add more high-quality medicines and broaden its offering in key therapeutic areas and markets. In 2020, Acino completed the acquisition of Takeda’s primary care portfolio. Two years later, we confirmed the acquisition of six prescription medicines from Aspen, valued at over R1.8 billion (€105 million). In 2023, Acino entered into an exclusive agreement to market and sell several Janssen products.

Acino is here to grow

Acino is passionate about making high-quality medicines and devices accessible to Africans for a healthier tomorrow. We are committed to bringing more value to our patients, physicians and the communities we live and work in.

With our well-established product pipeline and long-standing relationships with licensing partners we are well positioned to achieve our vision of making a difference in the African healthcare sector, said John Norman, Head of Acino Africa.

With our stated vision of investing in local healthcare, Acino is investing in new treatments, businesses, and partnerships to increase access to quality, affordable healthcare as well as in education and skills development.

Commitment to Africa

For many organisations, the ultimate goal of business is to be profitable, but for Acino, there’s more to it than this. Our diversity philosophy resonates with South Africa’s philosophy of equal opportunity, which is why the organisation prides itself on the B-BBEE Level 1 status that it has achieved for 3 consecutive years. Find out more

We also remain keenly aware that with our growth comes greater responsibility to all our stakeholders. Acino makes a concerted effort to provide local employment and upskilling through learnerships and investing in initiatives such as the Youth Employment Service (YES4Youth) launched by President Cyril Ramaphosa in March 2018 to combat youth unemployment in South Africa. Find out more

We are committed to remaining one of the greatest places to work in South Africa and across the country. Acino South Africa has been recognised and certified as a Top Employer for the third year in a row. Being recognised for our efforts to achieve excellence in people practices makes it all worthwhile. Find out more

Acino is becoming a name synonymous with quality, affordable healthcare. A global vision and local approach show the industry that international power combined with homegrown, underground experience and leadership can improve the healthy development of a nation.

Prescription Medicines

Acino makes high-quality medicines available to hospitals and healthcare professionals in Africa. Our diverse portfolio includes products across a broad range of therapeutic areas, consisting of 65% brand-name products and 35% branded generic drugs.

Due to the specialised nature of the products it is essential there is a dual medical/commercial strategy to ensure these medicines ultimately find their way to the patient.

Over-the-counter (OTC)

Acino Healthcare Group’s new division focuses on the OTC market (S2 and below) with a large basket of products including market leaders and originator brands.

Our approach is focused at educating and providing the highest quality products to our customers.

We continually strive to reach our goal of putting the patient at the centre of our business, thus ensuring delivery of pharmaceutical products manufactured by world trained staff members who uphold high and exacting standards of quality management, pharmacovigilance, principles of legal compliance and ethical business conduct.

Medical Devices - Acino Forensic

Acino Forensic manufacturers DNA evidence collection and crime scene kits at our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in South Africa. With skilled manufacturing staff and exclusive supplier agreements we are able to accommodate the testing capabilities of most forensic science laboratories by supplying customised kits.

Medicine Safety Information for Healthcare Professionals

Pseudoephedrine-containing medicines

Genotoxic anticancer medicine

Intravenous tranexamic acid medicine

Contact our Africa team


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    Open for Partnerships

    We believe in entering partnerships for the expansion of our product portfolio, the acquisition of unique drug delivery technologies, and for specific dossiers that meet our commercial plans. We provide contract manufacturing services, offer products through distribution deals, as well as through out- and in-licensing. We strive for long-lasting relationships with suppliers, distributors, and customers.

    Join Us

    Interested in a challenging, rewarding role with Acino? Visit our Career page.