The healthcare sector is integral to improving quality of life and tackling essential challenges. This is especially true when it comes to orphan drugs, which target rare diseases that often lack effective treatment options. Orphan drugs are designed to tackle unmet medical needs within small patient populations, offering hope where few solutions exist.
In this context, Carel Bouwer, the Managing Director, has a profound passion for healthcare and a commitment to empowering others. With a background in pharmacy, he believes strongly in the importance of ethical practices and patient-centered solutions. His career has been shaped by a deep understanding of the impact that well-developed healthcare strategies can have on communities, underlining the value of collaboration and support among colleagues.
Clinigen South Africa has emerged as a vital player within the healthcare industry, the local arm of the 1,100-strong global organization with employees across fifteen countries, providing access in more than 130 countries every year. Focused on providing patients access to orphan drugs and other medicines that are approved for their condition but not commercially available in the region, the company aims to accelerate access to medicines for patients in every corner of the globe.
Passion for Healthcare and Patient Impact
Carel is passionate about people, and the healthcare sector has always been close to his heart. He studied B.Pharm and completed his master's degree in pharmaceutics. He strongly believes that the pharmaceutical sector is one of the most important pillars in addressing unmet medical needs, and he has witnessed the development of new products transforming the lives of patients across the globe. Understanding the journey from development to market and seeing the impact that a life-changing product can have on a patient is what drives him.
Empowering People for Patient-Centric Solutions
Carel's approach is based on mutual respect and empowering people to be their best. He believes that the talented teams at Clinigen are the company’s most valuable asset, driving the organization to be the best it can be. He is honored to have worked with mentors over the years who taught him various skills and assisted in his career development. At Clinigen, there are incredible experts in their respective fields who maintain a patient-centric approach, driving the company ethos to seek solutions to finding the best outcome for the patient.
Embracing Growth and Overcoming Challenges
Carel finds it truly rewarding to see people excel and grow. He embraces an entrepreneurial spirit and appreciates witnessing individuals going out of their way to implement strategies and campaigns that benefit everyone. He acknowledges that there will always be challenges, and in a volatile industry, the ability to adapt quickly, improvise, and find solutions is essential. The organization faces multiple challenges that are beyond its control, but it consistently finds solutions. Clinigen knows that patients rely on them for assistance for access to life-changing medications, making communication and transparency with all parties crucial to addressing these challenges.
Advocating for Access to Lifesaving Medications
Carel notes that they are based in a country that is vibrant and diverse but faces various obstacles and is often neglected when it comes to patient support for rare diseases. Clinigen has collaborated with multiple pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to find solutions for patients, ensuring access to the necessary medicines. By engaging with funders, regulatory authorities, and patient support programs, Clinigen can accelerate access to medicines for patients around the world.
Fostering Trust and Empowering Growth
Carel believes that understanding what drives people is truly important. He emphasizes that they spend a lot of time together as colleagues, reinforcing his trust in them and their decision-making. If mistakes are made, everyone learns from them and works to improve operations. They aim to empower people and enable personal and professional growth. Involving individuals in the business allows them to take accountability for their roles. He has worked with various colleagues through talent management programs, promoting them to take on more responsibility both locally and internationally.
Prioritizing Family and Personal Well-Being
Carel emphasizes that work-life balance is essential. As a father of two young, energetic kids, he notes that they require his full attention and support as soon as he gets home. He schedules his meetings to ensure he has time with them, focusing on family and enjoying dinner together. He believes it is of utmost importance to treasure their time together, and they support him in fulfilling his responsibilities. Carel also believes that fitness and discipline are crucial foundations; he exercises early in the morning to mentally prepare for the day and prioritize his tasks.
Defining Success Through Growth and Impact
Carel defines success as witnessing an organization grow, seeing people enjoy their work, and acknowledging the difference they make. He aspires to expand their affiliate across various African countries and address the unmet medical needs that patients face across the continent.
Embracing Change and Continuous Growth
Carel reads as much as possible on diverse topics that challenge him in the way he lives his life and engages with people. He passionately believes that one can always strive to be a better version of oneself and should embrace change and technology. He is active on social media platforms to observe developing trends and explore new possibilities that could be implemented.
Celebrating Milestones and Making a Difference
Carel has experienced various highlights throughout his career at Clinigen South Africa. The organization has evolved from a small local entity to joining the Clinigen fold and being part of a global company with offices around the world. Any project that results in a patient or healthcare provider reaching out to express gratitude for the difference made is considered a highlight. He views it as a privilege to be in a position where he can successfully assist others and make a meaningful impact in their lives.
Building a Legacy of Trust and Ethical Responsibility
Carel aspires to leave behind a legacy of being an individual with an open and trustworthy approach. He is committed to conducting business ethically and responsibly, particularly concerning the well-being of patients and healthcare providers they support and assist. He looks forward to collaborating with companies to ensure that the products they develop reach the patients who require them the most. Carel’s team is working on expanding partnerships and their geographical footprint to reach more patients in need.
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