Read the Conversation
Meeting highlights:
- Mission in South Africa – Leverage Haleon’s strong brand to expand access to self-care, focusing on education to distinguish self-care from self-medication and improve health literacy on issues like anemia, gum disease, and pain management.
- Economic and Access Strategy – In a challenging economic environment, ensure products are available at the right price, in the right format, and in the right locations, enabling affordable access without compromising quality.
- Sector Collaboration – Advocate for a multi-stakeholder approach to embed self-care in healthcare policy, exemplified by launching the Haleon Pain Management Institute in South Africa to work with healthcare professionals on locally relevant pain solutions.
- Strategic Importance of South Africa – Highlight South Africa’s stable market, deep consumer trust, manufacturing investments (e.g., Cape Town site upgrades), and upcoming launches like Centrum Essential as reasons for prioritizing local growth and regional supply.
- Long-Term Goal – Become the first choice for self-care across categories (oral care, pain management, skin care, vitamins/minerals), shifting use of supplements and preventive care from event-based to a consistent lifestyle habit, improving quality of life, and reducing long-term healthcare costs.
EF: What mission have you set for yourself in this new role, and what do you want to achieve?
FH: My career with Haleon has spanned both consumer healthcare and pharmaceuticals, and I’ve worked across different functions and geographies—including the UK, Pakistan, and now South Africa. My objective in Pakistan was to ensure availability and access to solutions for all consumers, and that same goal carries through here.
South Africa is already a strong market for us, especially with household names. We also have a large footprint with well-known brands that the average South African consumer uses. What we aim to do now is not just to expand access to these products, but also to promote a deeper understanding of self-care.
When I speak about self-care, I don’t mean self-medication; there’s a crucial distinction. Self-medication can involve taking drugs without consulting healthcare professionals, which is risky. Self-care, on the other hand, is about proactively maintaining health through multivitamins, preventive solutions, and awareness. For example, when people are in pain, 51% of pain sufferers wish others would show more empathy for their pain. Self-care can help break that isolation.
Our goal is to help South Africans understand that knowledge is key. If we can provide not just products but also education to support them, they can take better care of themselves. Take anemia, for example: if someone receives the right iron supplementation for six months, they can be anemia-free. But that starts with awareness. That is the mission—bringing education and access together to improve lives through self-care.
EF: And how do you assess 2025 from your perspective?
FH: 2025 has had its share of ups and downs. Geopolitical tensions have driven up fuel and commodity prices, as the world is interconnected now; what happens in one part of the world affects the rest. South Africa is not immune. The GDP has slowed, which impacts both government and individual spending.
In such an environment, access becomes even more important, but access doesn’t just mean low-cost or cheap products. It means the right solution, at the right price, in the right format, and at the right place. For example, if someone only needs two tablets, they shouldn’t have to buy a full pack. We need to be available in the right proposition, accessible but tailored to need. That’s a broader trend, and something we must all strive toward.
EF: How is Haleon pushing the broader self-care agenda?
FH: That’s absolutely part of our vision. Self-care isn’t just Haleon’s responsibility—it’s shared with the Self-Care Association, the government, NGOs, doctors, and pharmacists. Everyone has a role to play.
Just last week, we launched the Haleon Pain Management Institute in South Africa. As a global leader in pain relief, we’ve done extensive research into pain management. This Institute is part of a broader global rollout—we’ve launched in countries like Pakistan, Kenya, and the UAE, and now in South Africa.
The aim is to work with healthcare professionals and stakeholders to understand how pain affects this community specifically. Pain is not one-size-fits-all—headaches, back pain, dental pain, menstrual pain—they all differ in frequency, severity, and treatment. For example, period pain requires specific care. If women are using the wrong painkillers month after month, it can disrupt their cycles and have longer-term consequences.
With the right education, people don’t have to visit a doctor every time. They can go to a pharmacy and get the right solution. That’s real empowerment—and that’s what the Institute is about: research, local relevance, and education.
EF: What makes South Africa a strategically important
FH: It’s a great question. South Africa has deep trust in our legacy brands, one of which has been here for more than 100 years. That kind of relationship with consumers is rare and valuable. This market is also one of the most stable in Africa and has real growth potential. Yes, there are challenges, GDP, and unemployment, but South African consumers are smart and aware. Where we can make a difference is in education and addressing needs around nutrition, oral care, and access.
For example, our global multivitamin leader isn’t as big here as it should be. We’re addressing that by launching it in sachet format. It’s easier to afford and use, improves access, and contains key vitamins. It targets the adult population that needs it most.
We’re also heavily investing in local manufacturing. Haleon is investing half a billion Rand in our Cape Town Manufacturing facility to better provide for the needs of consumers in Africa. The Cape Town facility not only supports South Africa’s healthcare needs but also exports to thirteen (13) markets, the majority of which are located across Africa. This positions the site as a hub for advancing affordable self-care solutions in the region, while contributing to economic growth and skills development through local manufacturing.
And our investments aren’t just financial—they’re educational. With the right toothbrush and toothpaste, we can prevent dental issues that lead to bigger health problems. For example, people often prefer hard brushes, thinking they’re better. In reality, soft bristles with small heads are far better for gum health. We invest in education because better brushing reduces disease—and future healthcare costs.
When people don’t invest in self-care, there are two costs: loss of income and reduced quality of life. Take dental sensitivity, for instance; if someone has sensitivity on one side, they’ll chew on the other. That’s a lifestyle compromise. Similarly, with back pain, people often start limping instead of addressing the root issue. These compromises accumulate. So our investments in education and access help people live fuller, healthier lives.
EF: Having recently arrived in South Africa, what are you most excited about achieving in this role?
FH: The biggest objective is to become the first choice—when someone faces a health issue, we want Haleon to be top of mind. We want to be the go-to for pain, dental, or nutritional care.
And we want to embed self-care not just as a product, but as a mindset. Today, people often take vitamins only at key moments—puberty, pregnancy, or old age. But real impact comes from regular use, even when you don’t immediately see the results. It’s about building energy, immunity, and long-term health.
So we’re focused on reaching every household—not just through presence, but through education. If people understand how self-care improves their lifestyle and longevity, they’ll embrace it. That’s what excites me most: being part of that transformation, especially in developing countries, where healthcare is often out-of-pocket. Convincing someone to spend on vitamins today for benefits later in life isn’t easy. But we’re committed to that education.
EF: Is there a final message you’d like to add?
FH: Just to reiterate: we want to be the first choice when it comes to self-care and OTC solutions—and we want to work with the community to build a healthier, stronger South Africa through that mission.
