TWO University of Bradford pharmacy graduates have launched a wholesale and distribution business to help improve access to

up-to-date medicines in their native Iraq.

Mustafa Al-Shalechy and Ali Alshamari have launched CurePharma and are planning their first shipments to Baghdad later this year after getting help from overseas trade specialists at Bradford-based Chamber International to establish UK and overseas contacts to start exporting.

Mustafa ,27, and Ali, 28, who came to Yorkshire with their families as children after the first Gulf War, plan to export high-quality UK pharmaceutical and healthcare products to Iraq where many people cannot get access, or afford, adequate treatment for many chronic illnesses.

CurePharma,based at the Thorp Arch Estate, near Wetherby, is an authorised wholesale distributor recognised by the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency and meets guidelines for good distribution practice from the European Medicines Agency.

Mustafa Al-Shalechy said: “CurePharma is the result of ideas which we have evolved over the years and we are thrilled that we are to deliver our first export orders within six months and help people in Iraq get access to quality medicines which they can afford.

“Although some large pharmaceutical companies have bases in Iraq, good medicines are usually far too expensive for the general population.”

Chamber International export adviser, David Attia, has provided export advice and put the new company in touch with UK pharmaceuticals companies, logistics suppliers and ambassadors in Chamber International’s We are International export network for mentoring and advice.

Ali Alshamari said: “Chamber International has been fantastically helpful and supportive and has given us advice which has moved our entire aspirations forward.

“We will be exporting both over-the-counter and prescription medicines including those for cardiovascular, gastro-intestinal, respiratory and other conditions through distributors with which we have created strategic alliances in Baghdad and they will supply them to pharmacies and hospitals throughout Iraq.

“We are forming partnerships with high-quality, lesser-known brands in the UK which have not started exporting and are happy to work with us in developing new markets for their medicines in Iraq where our plans have been welcomed.”