AC Health, through its pharmaceutical arm AC Health Pharma, said Friday it signed a strategic partnership with Japan’s pharmaceutical firm Sugi Holdings.
“We are pleased to share that AC Health, through AC Health Pharma, has entered a strategic partnership with one of the largest pharmacy groups in Asia, Sugi Holdings, to bring Japan’s high-quality and novel pharmacy products to the Philippines,” the company said in a statement.
Sugi Holdings, one of the largest pharmacy groups in Asia, operates about 2,300 stores across Japan under the Sugi Pharmacy brand and is known for its wide range of wellness and pharmaceutical products, including a strong lineup of house brand items.
The company has also expanded its reach to other countries in Asia including Taiwan, Vietnam and Malaysia. The partnership marks Sugi’s first formal collaboration in the Philippines.
Sugi products will soon be available in more than 800 AC Health Pharma branches, including St. Joseph Drug and Generika Drugstore locations nationwide.
Early this month, Singapore-based investor ABC Impact acquired a 16-percent stake in AC Health, a healthcare unit of conglomerate Ayala Corp.
The investment marks ABC Impact’s first entry into the Philippine healthcare sector. The firm, which is backed by Temasek Trust and Temasek, will provide primary capital to support AC Health’s expansion.
AC Health, which aims to build an integrated healthcare ecosystem, plans to use the new funds to grow its network of hospitals, clinics and pharmacies. The company’s goal is to expand to at least 10 hospitals, 300 clinics and 1,150 pharmacies by 2027.
AC Health manages a healthcare portfolio that spans across the entire continuum of care—from primary care clinics through Healthway Medical Network, to pharmaceutical distribution via IE Medica and MedEthix, and hospital services through the QualiMed Health Network.
The addition of Sugi’s wellness and pharmacy offerings further strengthens AC Health’s commitment to providing accessible and high-quality healthcare solutions to Filipinos.
