Singapore: Zuellig Pharma, a leading healthcare service provider, recently launched its first innovation centre, Zuellig Health Solutions (ZHS), in Singapore. The centre, launched with the support of Singapore's Economic Development Board (EDB), will be located at Zuellig Pharma's current office along Scotts Road.

Being the company's "first and only" innovation centre, the ZHS will be the centre for all development work in data, digital and disease management solutions that will help doctors develop more effective treatment plans, support patients with chronic conditions and help payers manage healthcare costs.

The center was established with the support of the Economic Development Board, which will share the costs of employing more than 50 healthcare, technology and data specialists to work at the center.

So far Zuellig has spent nearly S$15 million to set up the new facility. The company also announced that it has plans to invest over S$50 million over the next five years. With the launch, the company is on the lookout for more than 50 Singapore-based healthcare, technology and data specialists.

In his opening address at this event, Zuellig Pharma Chief Executive Officer John Davison said ZHS is an exciting step for Zuellig Pharma.

"We have been supporting the development of the Asian healthcare industry for nearly a century and today's launch marks the next stage of this journey. We have been working closely with our partners, many of whom are here today, to bring innovative new products to Asia since the 1920's and today we work with over 400 pharmaceutical and consumer health companies delivering to more than 300,000 pharmacies, hospitals and clinics across the region."

"Zuellig Health Solutions builds on this strong base. We will invest more than $50 million in the next 5 years developing services and technology that will make healthcare more accessible."

In an interview with Channel NewsAsia. The company's CEO, Mr John Davison said: "We see many of our clients in the pharmaceutical and consumer health sector (such as) GlaxoSmithKline and AstraZeneca here in Singapore so it is about being close to our client base. And if you look at the ecosystem for digital technologies and big data, Singapore is the leading centre. So for me, Singapore is the obvious choice."

To tackle challenges in healthcare caused by ageing populations and rising chronic disease rates, Zuellig Pharma chief executive John Davison said the centre needs to create new, innovative solutions. This is what Zuellig Health Solutions was set up to do. It will create new approaches that address issues of access, including education, information, affordability and supply chain reach," he said.

Speaking at the launch, National Healthcare Group's chief medical information officer, Dr Eric Wong, said the new technology will help to improve overall levels of health and reduce healthcare costs.

"Effective analytics will allow us to better manage early population health screening, gain insight into ways to reduce preventable admissions and avoidable readmissions, decrease the length of hospital stays and improve cost-effective prescribing," he said.