Willem Buys

Pharmacist and pharmaceutical executive with more than 50 years’ experience in South Africa: corporate wholesale management, 18 years owning community pharmacies, international distribution and the manufacture of own healthcare brands.

Experience

  1. Founder & consulting pharmacist, ABC-Z VirtualIndependent online consultations that help people understand a diagnosed condition, side effects and drug interactions, lifestyle, diet and exercise, and well-researched plant-based options.
  2. Manager & director, Wellhouse HealthCare SAManufactured and launched five own brands (Lilia Vaginal Gel, Lilia Menopause Capsules, ProsHealth, SureSkin and MozziShield) into Dis-Chem and South African pharmaceutical wholesalers.
  3. Sole SA distributor, PharmaCare Laboratories (Australia)Launched Promensil, Fefol Multi-Preg and Sambucol in South Africa. Held a SAHPRA-approved applicant licence for manufacture, import and export, and marketed countrywide to wholesalers and to retail, community and corporate pharmacies, with a detailing team calling on healthcare professionals.
  4. Pharmacy ownerSole owner of Bothaville, Elwill and Knysna Central Pharmacy for 18 years.
  5. Corporate division manager, SA Druggists GroupDivisional management roles in corporate and wholesale pharmacy.

Key strengths

  • Executive pharmaceutical leadership

    More than 50 years of leadership across corporate divisions, independent pharmacy ownership and healthcare ventures in South Africa.

  • Brand building and commercialisation

    A proven record in international trade, product manufacturing and market penetration, with brands placed in Dis-Chem and the major pharmaceutical wholesalers.

  • International distribution

    A long-term, exclusive distribution partnership with PharmaCare Laboratories (Australia), from licensing to national launch.

  • Clinical pharmacy and primary care

    Decades of frontline pharmacy combined with a postgraduate qualification in Primary Care Drug Therapy (PCDT).

Education and registration

  1. Practising pharmacistSouth African Pharmacy Council, registration P01677.
  2. Postgraduate PCDTPrimary Care Drug Therapy, Potchefstroom University.
  3. Family Planning for PharmacistsCertificate.
  4. BSc PharmacyPotchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education, with practical years (1968 – 1969) at the SAR Pharmacy Dispensary, East London.
  5. National serviceElite member, State President’s Guard, SANDF.

Brands launched in South Africa

  • Promensil
  • Fefol Multi-Preg
  • Sambucol
  • Lilia Menopause Capsules
  • Lilia Vaginal Gel
  • ProsHealth
  • SureSkin
  • MozziShield

Talk to Willem about your medicines

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