KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 10): Technology group Omesti Bhd said on Wednesday that it has increased its investment in the Bemed Group of companies with the acquisition of a 70% shareholding in each of nine other Bemed pharmaceutical businesses, and the investment represents a total cash consideration of RM15.8 million.  

Earlier this year, Omesti acquired a 70% shareholding in licensed healthcare provider Bemed Tempua Sdn Bhd, which holds a master sales and distribution agreement for the Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine with Pharmaniaga LifeScience Sdn Bhd.

The Bemed companies that form part of the group’s latest acquisition are engaged in various activities, including trading and retail sale of pharmaceutical products, orthopaedic and medical goods, perfumery products, cosmetics and toiletries.

Omesti executive director Gerard Monteiro said in a statement that the additional investment in the Bemed Group will enable Omesti to further expand its portfolio of healthcare services and its customer base. “Equally, we will be deploying our technology expertise to fully digitise the operations of our healthcare offering, putting the patient and consumer at the heart of our ecosystem,” he said.

According to him, the digital ecosystem will be rolled out in phases and will span the entire medical requirements chain of the individual.

Services will range from initial e-consultation with medical professionals to diagnosis, through to prescription issue and fulfilment, follow-up consultation and purchase of general medical supplies via the group’s online pharmacy portal, he added.  

“Our initial investment in the Bemed Group enabled us to launch our Vaccin8 Programme as part of the nationwide immunisation drive to combat Covid-19,” said Gerard Monteiro, adding that the programme has since provided vaccination services to companies across the country and has been instrumental in helping these businesses return to full operations, as the economy emerges from successive Movement Control Order.  

“As we are all aware, Covid-19 is still very prevalent in our communities. We are now gearing up to provide booster vaccinations to these companies to help them ensure maximum protection for their workforce,” he added.

He also noted that the programme's clients, to date, included Malaysian companies and conglomerates from the plantation, agriculture, fisheries, manufacturing, construction and hospitality sectors, as well as engineering, oil and gas, and others.

Omesti shares closed one sen or 2.38% lower at 41 sen on Wednesday, valuing the group at RM224.08 million. Year to date, the stock has fallen 33.87%.