Nahdi Medical eyes integrated healthcare services, overseas expansion: CEO

Yasser Joharji, CEO, Nahdi Medical Co.

Nahdi Medical Co. aspires to provide integrated healthcare services through pharmacies, outpatient clinics and private laboratories, in addition to other digital services, the latest of which is "Ask the Pharmacist", CEO Yasser Joharji told Argaam.

He added that the company operates nearly 1,150 branches of Nahdi pharmacies across over 145 cities and villages in the Kingdom, covering approximately 97% of the Saudi population.

The rental of sites boosts the pharmacies' efficiency, unlike commitment to site purchase and ownership.

Joharji further said there is a global change in the business model from the widespread branches to the application of a distinguished shopping experience model. Therefore, some international peers aim to reduce the number of their branches, due to the change in consumer habits.

The company has a significant investment in a smart distribution center in Jeddah, which will achieve new horizons for its business.

The top executive added that the coronavirus pandemic slowed down the company's expansion plans in the UAE in 2020. It opened five pharmacies in the UAE last year and plans to expand into other markets in the future.

In December 2021, the Capital Market Authority (CMA) approved Nahdi's application to float 39 million shares, representing 30% of its share capital, Argaam earlier reported.