Imperial Health Sciences announced the development of a new, state-of-the-art pharmaceutical storage and distribution facility in Nairobi, Kenya.

Dr Iain Barton , Imperial Health Sciences managing director, says,  “This custom-built warehouse forms part of our active delivery of healthcare and storage solutions in developing markets, where there is a dire shortage of warehouse facilities that meet the requirements for effective, quality assured pharmaceutical warehousing and distribution.”.

“Healthcare practitioners in underserved areas are faced with a growing burden of complex disease management, aggravated by ageing infrastructures and unreliable supply of essential medicines. and that without sustainable warehousing infrastructure and supply chain systems in place, practitioners in the field cannot access a safe, secure, reliable supply of medicines in line with best-practice quality standards.”

Located on Mombasa Road in Nairobi, Imperial Health Sciences’ new facility is 9 564m2 in size and will offer 5 361 pharmaceutical pallet locations, as well as 3 978 consumer and 466 cold chain pallet locations. The development also includes a 1 000m2 office area and a conference and training centre.

Barton adds, “Job creation and environmental considerations are priorities on the project and the US$20-million construction contract has been awarded to a consortium of Kenyan contractors. At its peak, the contract will create employment for 400 local people. Sustainability initiatives at the new facility will include solar powered external lighting and electric fencing; LED lighting in all offices; energy efficient, sensor operated industrial fittings in the warehouse; energy efficient air conditioning units throughout the facility; and solar heated hot water.  Thermo protecting paint and energy reducing insulation is being used to minimise the facility’s heating and cooling requirements. The development will also harvest rainwater, and will have its own water purification plant.”

In terms of job creation once the facility is up and running in 2015, Barton explains that Imperial Health Sciences currently employs 96 people in Nairobi, and the warehouse will take this number up to 180.