THE HEALTH | AUGUST , 2023

Bhd .

BIG Pharmacy is also acquiring the remaining 25 per cent stake in Caring from Motivasi Optima Sdn Bhd , owned by seven people , including Caring ’ s founder and managing director Chong Yeow Siang who holds an 18.65 per cent stake . However , the price for this remaining stake was not disclosed .

BIG Pharmacy , according to 7-Eleven Malaysia , had proposed an equity valuation of RM850 million for the entire 100 per cent stake in Caring .

BIG Pharmacy ’ s acquisition includes purchasing all Caring ’ s subsidiaries and associated companies , which own and operate the retail pharmacy businesses under the ‘ CARiNG ’, ‘ Georgetown ’ and ‘ Wellings ’ brands , as well as any manufacturing and distribution of in-house products in Malaysia .

The offer includes the acquisition of all intellectual property rights owned and used by Caring Group and its Indonesian businesses , but not the ownership of the businesses in Indonesia that are operated by PT Era Caring Indonesia - a 50.1 per cent-owned indirect joint venture of Caring and PT Era Farma Indonesia , a 49.9 per cent-owned indirect joint venture of Caring which will be carved out from the deal .

TO SUPPORT stay-alone elderly individuals , chronic-illness patients , and busy parents managing work and childcare , prescription pharmacy chain Alpro Pharmacy has launched its door-to-door prescription medication delivery in partnership with GrabExpress , Grab Malaysia ’ s on-demand delivery service .

Alpro Pharmacy Chief Executive Officer Low Swee Siong said more young people are leaving their hometowns for work and their parents in an empty nest .

THANKS TO the withdrawal of the Employee ’ s Provident Fund ( EPF ) Account 2 for fertility treatment , Sunfert International Fertility Centre ( Sunfert ) has opened up a world of possibilities for couples to pursue fertility treatments such as In Vitro Fertilisation ( IVF ), Intrauterine insemination ( IUI ), and Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection ( ICSI ).

Sunfert , a private fertility centre in Malaysia , offers a convenient cashless experience for couples seeking fertility treatments . The cashless process involves two

7-Eleven Malaysia , controlled by tycoon Tan Sri Vincent Tan , said the disposal provides it an opportunity to unlock and monetise its investment in Caring . Post-disposal , 7-Eleven Malaysia expects to redirect its resources to grow its convenience store business . It ’ s plans to use the proceeds from the sale will be announced upon signing the definitive documents for the disposal .

BIG Pharmacy , meanwhile , said the acquisition represents a strategic step in the group ’ s mission to elevate the quality , accessibility and affordability of healthcare for Malaysians .

“ This strategic move aligns perfectly with our mission to

“ Therefore , our medication delivery serves as a means for the children to continue caring for their elderly parents even when they are away ,” said Lee .

Lee said the quick medication delivery is an extension of Alpro ’ s e-pharmacy service launched in 2021 amid the pandemic .

“ Patients can consult with a doctor virtually , receive medical advice , and obtain an electronic prescription , if necessary , without leaving home .”

Meanwhile , Grab Malaysia

claims , one after the egg collection procedure and another after the frozen embryo transfer .

Patients are relieved from the need to carry cash by opting for the cashless option . Instead , EPF will directly reimburse the approved amounts to Sunfert . Patients will only be responsible for any outstanding balance in case of discrepancies . This streamlined approach ensures a hassle-free and efficient payment process , allowing couples to focus on their fertility journey without financial burdens .

For a hassle-free fertility journey , enhance healthcare outcomes and widen service access . By combining our expertise and resources , we aim to deliver an unparalleled healthcare experience ; reaffirming our commitment to community engagement ,” said BIG Pharmacy ’ s Chief Executive Officer Lee Meng Chuan . Lee founded BIG Pharmacy in 2007 along with Lim Sin Yin .

BIG Pharmacy is also backed by Malaysian private equity firm Creador which savvy investor Brahmal Vasudven controls . It was reported that other bidders for Caring were US-based private equity fund Carlyle Group , and Luxembourg-based investment advisory firm CVC Capital Partners .

Caring was founded by five pharmacists who were university mates . It was acquired by 7-Eleven in 2020 for RM292 million . Prior to that , Caring had been listed on Bursa for six years before 7-Eleven voluntarily delisted it .

Director of Commercial and Deliveries Tan Jiong Jian said the partnership highlights how various online services on its platform can help a business enhance the way it caters to customers ’ needs .

“ Tapping into GrabExpress as a last-mile delivery solution , Alpro Pharmacy ’ s customer base now has access to an even wider range of products and services , all from the comfort of their homes , while providing delivery partners on Grab with more earnings opportunities ,” said Tan .

there are two streamlined payment pathways for EPF withdrawal . With the Pay and Claim option , patients who finish their treatment can apply for EPF withdrawal , and upon approval , they will receive direct reimbursement .

Alternatively , with the cashless option , patients must provide the required documents to demonstrate eligibility for EPF withdrawal before commencing their fertility treatment . Both payment methods require patients to submit all the necessary documents to the EPF in advance .

INSTITUT JANTUNG Negara ( IJN ) has been recognised as a leading specialist hospital in the Asia-Pacific region ( APAC ) by Newsweek ’ s Best Specialised Hospitals APAC 2023 list . The national heart institute ranked at 30 on the list , placing it ahead of the hundreds of other specialist hospitals in the region , and marking it as a top healthcare provider in Malaysia .

The Best Specialised Hospitals APAC 2023 list is a partnership between the American magazine Newsweek and global market research firm Statista R . The ranking aims to identify the leading speciality hospitals in six medical fields across nine APAC countries , namely Australia , India , Indonesia , Japan , Malaysia , Singapore , South Korea , Taiwan , and Thailand .

The rankings are primarily based on a survey of over 8,000 medical professionals , including medical doctors , nurses , therapists , and healthcare administrators , from the designated APAC countries . The survey was conducted online from February to March 2023 , and asked participants to recommend hospitals in their own field of expertise and a secondary medical field . Several Joint Commission International ( JCI ) certifications related to specific medical fields were also considered as part of the final scoring analysis .

IJN Chief Executive Officer Datuk Dr Aizai Azan Abdul Rahim ( pic ) said : “ We are delighted by this prestigious accolade , especially at this timely juncture as we are implementing our roadmap towards becoming a flagship smart hospital to continue raising the bar for heart healthcare and patient outcomes .

“ This expansion plan includes a new multidisciplinary facility with 120 beds and premier facilities and is expected to be completed in 2026 .”

Established in 1992 , IJN has 433 beds , eight invasive cardiac laboratories , nine operating rooms , including a hybrid operating theatre , 10 dialysis beds , and a dedicated wellness and sleep centre . Adopting a preventative health approach , IJN also has over 70 consultation clinics in a broad range of specialities beyond cardiology , including clinics catering to diabetics , smoking cessation , respiratory services , and paediatric and congenital heart disease care . In addition to the highly acclaimed ranking , IJN recently garnered recognition from various esteemed organisations for its exceptional performance . The centre was named “ Best Digital

Health Service Provider of The Year ” at the 23rd PC . com Awards on June 22 for its pioneering efforts in leveraging cutting-edge technology to enhance patient “

“ We remain steadfast in our commitment to continue striving to be even better at what we do , and are heartened by all the support we have received thus far ,” added Dr Aizai

Azan .