mPharma: Scaling Access to Affordable Primary Care in Africa

mPharma CEO Greg Rockson is attempting to create the largest pan-African primary healthcare company. He must evaluate a three-year strategy potentially involving three key components: a rapid and extensive expansion of the company's network of 600 retail pharmacies in nine African countries, the future of a recently launched telehealth program, and the creation of a new customer payment plan that will cover the cost of the common prescription drugs that are used for prevalent communicable diseases, such as malaria. Rockson must balance his desire to promote health equity with ensuring that mPharma becomes a profitable company. This case is suitable both as a general business case for MBA students of any level and as a case for courses focused on the healthcare industry, the pharmaceutical value chain, health care systems in Africa, innovation in health care, social entrepreneurship, and African businesses.