• SOCAPHARM launched “Ivoire Health,” a prepaid card dedicated to pharmacy spending.

• The solution allows users to anticipate and manage out-of-pocket medical expenses.

• The company combines digital health tools, consulting services, and professional training.

Raymond Bleu-Lainé operates as both a pharmacist and an entrepreneur. He leads the Société Africaine de Consulting Pharmaceutique (SOCAPHARM), a company that specializes in pharmaceutical consulting, training, healthcare, and digital communication.

SOCAPHARM, founded in 2016, develops digital solutions for the healthcare sector. The company designs applications and tools that facilitate access to health services and improve the efficiency of healthcare structures.

Its flagship solution, Ivoire Health, offers a prepaid card dedicated exclusively to pharmacy expenses. The company provides this virtual card to users, who can purchase medicines, pharmaceutical products, or parapharmaceutical goods within a partner pharmacy network without using cash at the point of sale.

Moreover, Ivoire Health positions itself as a health savings solution. Users preload funds onto the card and then use the available balance to pay for pharmacy purchases. This mechanism allows users to anticipate medical expenses and manage a monthly medication budget more effectively.

In parallel, SOCAPHARM expands its operations into two additional areas. First, the company provides consulting services and supports healthcare stakeholders in solving organizational, structural, and development challenges. Second, the company delivers training programs designed for healthcare professionals.

Raymond Bleu-Lainé holds a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, which he obtained in 2009 from the University of Maryland in the United States. He began his professional career in 2011 as a pharmacy manager at Rite Aid, a U.S. pharmacy chain.

Subsequently, he served as an oncology manager at Servier, a France-based international pharmaceutical group, from 2017 to 2020.

This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum