East Africa suffers from high mortality rates for many easily treatable and preventable diseases.

In Kenya, 54% of deaths are attributed to communicable diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis, malaria or maternal and nutritional conditions.¹ In comparison, communicable disease accounts for less than 1% of deaths in the UK.² Quality, affordable pharmaceuticals, and access to basic health care services, are critical to reversing this trend.

Chronic disease is also rising across the region. Non communicable disease (NCD) mortality rates are forecast to increase to 55% by 2030, attributable to lifestyle factors such as tobacco use, physical inactivity and poor diets.³ NCDs cause significant economic impact on Kenyan households, decreasing household income by 28.6%.⁴

Many emerging consumers in East Africa face signifi cant barriers to accessing medical services like diagnostics, nutritional advice, and other medical consultations. Around 75% of the population of East Africa live in rural areas, making travel to major hospital centres a challenge for the majority of people seeking treatment.⁵ Cultural factors can also limit access to medical treatment, especially for women. In Kenya, 11% of women aged 15-49 say not wanting to travel alone deters them from accessing treatment.⁶

Behind these problems are a range of issues relating to the seemingly insurmountable costs of delivering infrastructure-heavy medical facilities in rural areas, as well as cultural norms and security concerns around travel. These access issues demand innovation and new healthcare models.

Goodlife increases access to affordable, high quality medicines and health services, reaching two million people in East Africa.

LeapFrog has backed Goodlife since 2017, fuelling the company’s expansion from 19 stores initially to become the dominant pharmacy and health hub chain in East Africa. In the process, Goodlife has scaled the delivery of pharmaceuticals and medical services to low-income consumers, using digitally enabled solutions to serve remote and peri-urban communities and improve the quality and consistency of treatment.

Goodlife has rapidly evolved from a traditional pharmacy chain into an omnichannel health-hub.⁷ The company offers a range of clinical care services like diagnostics, vaccines, medical consultations, skin consultations and nutritional advice, through partnerships with qualified providers including diagnostic companies and telemedicine services.

Greater purchasing power through their network of pharmacies means Goodlife has been able to negotiate better contracts with its suppliers and lock in reputable supply lines, helping to eliminate the threat of sub-standard medications.⁸ The company buys the majority of its products from importers and distributors who they have built strong relationships with and who buy directly from established multinational pharma manufacturers.

Goodlife has created a unique product range, including single unit medicine sales, to ensure a quality solution for every customer at various price points. The company also offers a suite of digital offerings including e-commerce sale via its website, and on partner platforms such as Uber and Glovo.

Goodlife aims to grow its network to 250 stores and to broaden its reach to over 8.5 million people. Goodlife is regulated by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board, the Kenyan authority mandated to regulate Pharmacy Practice and ensure the quality, safety and efficacy of health products and technologies under the supervision of the company pharmacist.