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Baurs and GSK team
Following is an interview with A. Baur and Company Managing Director and CEO Rolf Blaser about its success so far in the healthcare industry and its recent partnership to represent global giant GSK
Q: When did Baurs enter the healthcare sector and what was the vision behind this?
A: Baurs forayed into the healthcare sector in 1945, and ever since the division has evolved to one of the most sought-after agencies for some of the world’s most reputed brands with an impeccable track record for reliability, innovation, trust, and quality. Our vision for the sector will continue to be centered around patients and the citizens of Sri Lanka, to improve their health and standards of living, through strong partnerships, industry excellence and a constant appetite for research and innovation. We were instrumental in ending the malaria epidemic in Sri Lanka during 1946, and recently in 2020 we were able to register the first ever bio pesticide in the nation to eradicate and control fall army worm.
We have had a really long, uninterrupted relationship with all of the brands we represent in the healthcare portfolio, and this is only growing stronger and expanding further. Our healthcare now includes pharmaceuticals, medical nutrition, nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals, medical, surgical and diagnostics with a fully equipped Biomedical Service Center, backed by the expertise of fully qualified biomedical engineers and technicians, comprehensively covering various specialties and segments.
- In the Sri Lankan market, GSK is the market leader in the antibiotic segment and the leading supplier of vaccines for many therapeutic areas in pediatric and adult vaccination. This will continue to be our shared priority too, with GSK prioritising their research into vaccines and medicines across core therapeutic areas such as infectious diseases, HIV, oncology, and immunology.
- Pharma industry could have a long-term sustainable vision and plan, taking into consideration a diverse pool of stakeholders involved in the entire value chain whilst at the centre, we have our citizens. The industry could do with a more ethical and responsible framework...I believe when we work together as an industry, we could resolve many of our challenges, and go onto enhancing the healthcare standards in the country.
Q: How has the journey been so far?
A: Just like any other organisation, we have had our ups and downs. Being a 125-year-old Swiss company in Sri Lanka, we have seen almost everything, more than the country has since its independence. But the most admirable aspect- which we all share- is the strength, courage and resilience that is built into ourselves. As a nation, we always get up stronger and quicker, and respond quite rapidly to various external conditions including natural disasters.
I share the same sentiments with Baurs and our legacy throughout has been of similar views. The recent global pandemic was no exception, but yet we never laid off but rather provided job security and rotations wherever applicable. We have never ceased to keep going and growing together, investing significantly in our people and processes, and we constantly thrive to innovate and bring about the best-in-class healthcare among others to the country.
Along similar lines, I would also highlight that the pharma industry could have a long-term sustainable vision and plan, taking into consideration a diverse pool of stakeholders involved in the entire value chain whilst at the centre, we have our citizens. The industry could do with a more ethical and responsible framework, but that being said, Baurs like others in the sector continue to uphold some of the most stringent measures and practices when it comes to safety, compliance and regulatory requirements. I believe when we work together as an industry, we could resolve many of our challenges, and go onto enhancing the healthcare standards in the country.
Q: What are some of the key strengths of Baurs healthcare?
A: Our healthcare division is backed by our 125-year-old legacy, a business that is built on values namely trust, reliability, quality and innovation. We have some of the most expansive distribution networks across the country, covering every part of the island and we have a highly talented team of sales and marketing professionals who are very empathetic and go onto actively listen to market and customer sentiments and concerns, and provide us feedback and insights in how we can improve our existing approach and communications. We never compromise on our compliance, and I am proud to say that we at Baurs pursue some of the globally benchmarked industry best practices. Our entire supply chain and distribution network is integrated using some of the most advanced, state-of-the-art tools and technologies to ensure increased transparency, access, reliability and speed for all stakeholders.
Our partners in the sector is quite expansive but if I am to name some of the world-class healthcare brands that we represent in Sri Lanka, it would include Sanofi, Novartis, Roche,Sandoz, Nestlé Health Science, Merck, isispharma, MSD, Vitrolife, Unichem, Apex, Alcon, Viatris, Inova, Santen, Eisai, Mega life Science, Rohto, Dexa Medica, Takeda and Ajanta Pharma among many others.
Q: Recently Baurs partnered with GSK. Can you explain the significance?
A: We are immensely proud of this achievement, and with this new partnership, we will now market and distribute GSK’s products and solutions to Sri Lanka as well as the Maldives. Baurs and GSK has been in discussions for months now, and after understanding that we share similar values and the vision for the country and of course after successfully going through all their compliance and regulatory requirements and adherences, it was like a match made in heaven. Baurs will now handle the multinational pharmaceutical company’s prescription medicines and vaccines in Sri Lanka, and ensure uninterrupted access to GSK’s safe, effective and high-quality medications among citizens.
- We need increased transparency and participation and a long-term plan for the industry. We need to increase our scientific know-how and we need the right resources to develop such capabilities, beginning with education. The industry is also experiencing a skills gap at the present as we had to unfortunately witness the talent migration recently, and it would be nice to see some level of encouragement towards health and medicine beginning from the school curriculums. There is also vast potential for research and development and adequate investments into this would go a long way. We have some incredible and talented medical professionals. The healthcare sector needs to build that appetite and vision to continuously develop and bring some quality and effective solutions to the people of Sri Lanka.
- We are already one of the most sought-after partner agencies for many renowned healthcare brands across the world, being featured among the top three importers in the country, and this will only keep growing stronger and bolder in the future. We are also moving into expanding and diversifying our healthcare portfolio, based on some of the most emerging and contemporary trends and solutions, and we are on the constant knack to grow and innovate in this space
Q: How will Baurs contribute, sustain or grow GSK’s footprint in the country?
A: Both of Baurs as well as GSK’s legacies go back to decades, with the two being heavyweights in the healthcare sector of Sri Lanka, of course with GSK being globally. One of the most important aspects during our discussions, apart from all the commercial requirements, and what I would say makes up the very foundation of our partnership, would be that we actually share similar values, ignited by the passion to bring quality healthcare to the citizens of Sri Lanka. This has always been our forte, and with this understanding, we are in a better position to continue GSK’s legacy in Sri Lanka. We have ambitious plans for our healthcare division and the reputable brands that we represent here including for GSK. We strongly share the sentiments with GSK and its vast contribution to the healthcare industry and the people of this country, having also impacted many lives through their social programs as well.
In the Sri Lankan market, GSK is the market leader in the antibiotic segment and the leading supplier of vaccines for many therapeutic areas in pediatric and adult vaccination. This will continue to be our shared priority too, with GSK prioritising their research into vaccines and medicines across core therapeutic areas such as infectious diseases, HIV, oncology, and immunology. We at Baurs will continue to share our knowledge and expertise with each other, and strengthen our scientific talent, R&D, technological capabilities, as well as industry participation going forward.
Q: What are some of your thoughts about the healthcare industry?
A: We need increased transparency and participation and a long-term plan for the industry. We need to increase our scientific know-how and we need the right resources to develop such capabilities, beginning with education. The industry is also experiencing a skills gap at the present, as we had to unfortunately witness the talent migration recently, and it would be nice to see some level of encouragement towards health and medicine beginning from the school curriculums. There is also vast potential for research and development and adequate investments into this would go a long way. We have some incredible and talented medical professionals. The healthcare sector needs to build that appetite and vision to continuously develop and bring some quality and effective solutions to the people of Sri Lanka.
Q: Where does Baurs aspire its healthcare division to be in five years?
A: We are already one of the most sought-after partner agencies for many renowned healthcare brands across the world, being featured among the top three importers in the country, and this will only keep growing stronger and bolder in the future. We are also moving into expanding and diversifying our healthcare portfolio, based on some of the most emerging and contemporary trends and solutions, and we are on the constant knack to grow and innovate in this space. Baurs has been selected by Transparency International as an anchor partner, to take up initiatives in the business community, with the view of reducing corruption in Sri Lanka. We will take up initiatives that will spur knowledge-sharing among all stakeholders. We will further strengthen our talent and technological capabilities in the healthcare space, driven by our commitment to quality and excellence, to always pursue that which will be for the betterment of the citizens of Sri Lanka.
