What Joint Medical Store does

Joint Medical Store (JMS) is a Private Not-for-Profit pharmaceutical and medical supplies distributor headquartered in Kampala, Uganda, founded in 1979 by the Uganda Catholic Medical Bureau and Uganda Protestant Medical Bureau under the Trustees Incorporation Act. It is licensed by the National Drug Authority to import, warehouse, export, and distribute medicines, and operates an ISO 9001:2015-certified quality management system. JMS serves 3,125 health facilities across Uganda through five regional branches (Kampala, Mbarara, Fort Portal, Arua, Gulu) and authorized diocesan distributors, with door-to-door last-mile delivery and a 90-day credit policy for accredited facilities. Its catalogue covers 5,000+ products spanning essential medicines, laboratory reagents, medical equipment, and reproductive health commodities.

JMS's core technology stack comprises an integrated ERP (ERP Dynamics, rolled out 2025), an Integrated Online Ordering System (IOS) for HIV and laboratory commodities, a customer self-serve portal (customer.jmserp.org), an online ordering system (ordering.jms.co.ug), a vendor portal, GIS-enabled distribution mapping, and integrations with national DHIS2 and eLMIS platforms. The company also manufactures locally through wholly-owned subsidiary Joint Health Care Investments Ltd (Clinisafe sanitizers, ultrasound gel, sodium hypochlorite), joint venture Oxylife 2020 Uganda Ltd with Hewa Tele (the only NDA-licensed medical oxygen producer in Uganda), and Doctor's Choice (nutraceuticals and therapeutic foods).

JMS's revenue model combines wholesale pharmaceutical distribution to PNFP, government, and private health facilities with managed services revenue from large donor-funded health programs — including a $115.5 million USG HIV commodity procurement activity (2023-2026), a $178.4 million UNFPA/Chemonics/Global Fund Last Mile Condom Distribution Initiative, a UGX 19.4 billion Primary Health Care Grant, a UGX 3.9 billion+ annual TB commodities program, and a Gates Foundation-funded technical assistance project. Additional revenue streams include biomedical engineering services (equipment supply, installation, maintenance, calibration) and health systems strengthening consulting. Pricing is harmonized across outlets, billed on a transaction/take-rate basis with pay-as-you-go terms.

Name

Joint Medical Store

Legal name

Joint Medical Store

Website

https://jms.co.ug

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Joint Medical Store is a Ugandan Private Not-for-Profit pharmaceutical distributor, founded in 1979, that procures, warehouses, and delivers 5,000+ medical products to 3,125 health facilities across Uganda through five regional branches, complemented by donor-funded program management, biomedical engineering, and local manufacturing subsidiaries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pharmaceutical Distribution and Healthcare Supply Chain Services

NAICS

Drugs and Druggists' Sundries Merchant Wholesalers (42421), Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing (325412)

SIC

Wholesale-Drugs, Proprietaries & Druggists' Sundries (5122), Wholesale-Medical, Dental & Hospital Equipment & Supplies (5047), Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Medical Supplies & Consumables Wholesale (Non-Device) (CRAOAHAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Pharmaceutical & Life Sciences Warehousing (GDP-Compliant) (TLAIACAD), Home Healthcare & DME Delivery (Oxygen, Supplies) (TLAAAIAE)

Keywords

• Pharmaceutical distribution
• Medical supplies wholesale
• Healthcare supply chain
• Biomedical engineering services
• Health commodity procurement

Headquarters

HQ city

Kampala

HQ country

Uganda

HQ region

Africa

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Pharmaceutical Sales & Distribution: JMS generates revenue through the sale and distribution of medicines, medical supplies, and equipment to health facilities across Uganda. Operating as a wholesale pharmaceutical store, they serve PNFP, private, and public health facilities with a focus on consistent availability and last-mile delivery. Revenue is generated through direct sales with a 90-day credit policy for accredited facilities.
2. Donor-Funded Project Management: JMS implements large-scale donor-funded health programs including HIV ($115.5M USG activity), TB (UGX 3.9B annually), Malaria, and Reproductive Health ($178.4M condom initiative). They operate under value-based and performance-based cost models where service fees are linked to commodity value handled and delivered.
3. Biomedical Engineering Services: JMS provides medical equipment supply, installation, maintenance, calibration, and technical support services. They combine access to globally trusted manufacturers with flexible financing models for health facilities.
4. Health Systems Strengthening Consultancy: Technical assistance and capacity building services for PNFP and private facilities including governance frameworks, supply chain diagnostics, procurement management support, and training programs. Clients include government institutions, NGOs, and development partners.
5. Manufacturing Operations: JMS operates manufacturing subsidiaries including Oxylife 2020 Uganda Ltd (NDA-licensed medical oxygen), Joint Health Care Investments Ltd (sanitizers, cleaning products), and Doctor's Choice (nutraceuticals). Products include medical gases, Clinisafe sanitizers, ultrasound gel, and therapeutic foods.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Joint Medical Store is a Private Not-for-Profit organization that procures, warehouses, sells, and distributes essential medicines, medical supplies, laboratory reagents, and hospital equipment to over 3,000 health facilities across Uganda, complemented by donor-funded program management for HIV, TB, malaria, and reproductive health, biomedical equipment engineering, health systems strengthening, and local manufacturing of medical oxygen, sanitizers, and therapeutic foods through its subsidiaries.

Product overview

Joint Medical Store operates as a comprehensive healthcare supply chain organization offering a unified platform of products and services. The core offering comprises pharmaceutical and medical supplies distribution (5,000+ products), project management for health programs (HIV, TB, Malaria, PHC, Reproductive Health), biomedical engineering services, quality assurance (ISO 9001:2015), health systems strengthening, and local manufacturing through subsidiaries Oxylife (medical oxygen), JHC (sanitization/hygiene products), and Doctor's Choice (natural health solutions). Digital platforms including Customer Portal (customer.jmserp.org), Ordering System (ordering.jms.co.ug), Vendor Portal, and Integrated Online Ordering System (IOS) enable seamless customer and supplier interactions across the distribution network.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Joint Health Care Investments Ltd (JHC): Investment and manufacturing arm of JMS producing healthcare-related products including Sodium Hypochlorite, Ultrasound Gel (Clinisafe), Liquid Detergent, Hand Sanitizer (Clinisafe), and De-Ionized Water.
• Oxylife 2020 Uganda Ltd
• Doctor's Choice (DC)
• Clinisafe
• Oxylife

Products and services

• Pharmaceutical & Medical Supplies Distribution
• Project Management Services
• Bio Medical Engineering Services Full equipment lifecycle services including needs assessment, supply, installation, training, maintenance, calibration, and technical support for surgical, imaging, laboratory, hospital, and diagnostic equipment.
• Quality Assurance ISO 9001:2015 certified quality management system covering storage and cold chain assurance, traceability, audit, product quality control, regulatory compliance, and supplier qualification.
• Health Systems Strengthening Technical assistance, capacity building, and advisory services including governance frameworks, training programs, and consultancy services for PNFP and private sector health facilities.
• Oxylife 2020 Uganda Ltd (Medical Oxygen) NDA-licensed medical oxygen producer and supplier; operates three PSA oxygen production plants; produces medical gases (oxygen, nitrogen, nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide, medical air) and offers medical gas piping installation and valve repair services.
• Joint Health Care Investments Ltd (JHC) / Clinisafe Investment and manufacturing arm of JMS producing hygiene and sanitation products under the Clinisafe brand, including Sodium Hypochlorite solutions, Liquid Detergents, Hand Sanitizers, and Ultrasound Gel.
• Doctor's Choice (DC) Natural health solutions brand promoting local innovation and sustainable livelihoods through partnerships with farmers, medical professionals, and communities, including nutraceutical products.
• Customer Portal Web-based portal for health facilities to sign in, update accounts, browse products, and manage orders (accessible at customer.jmserp.org).
• Integrated Online Ordering System (IOS) Web-based platform enabling health facilities to report and order HIV and laboratory commodities, integrated with JMS ERP to maintain optimal stock levels of 2-4 months.

Quantifiable outcome

• 526 PNFP facilities supported with HIV commodities serving 450,000+ patients with 2-4 month stock levels maintained
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered supporting and core.

• Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF)supportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026Aviation partner enabling air transport of Ebola preparedness supplies (4 tonnes of PPE, disinfectants, isolation materials valued at €20,000) to hard-to-reach health facilities in Eastern DRC.
• DIFÄM (German Institute for Medical Mission)supportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026German institute supporting Ebola preparedness in Eastern DRC. Partnered with JMS and MAF to deliver critical supplies and training to frontline health facilities including Rwankole Clinic in Bunia.
• Hewa TelecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2020Joint venture partner in Oxylife 2020 Uganda Ltd, incorporated in November 2020. Hewa Tele contributes to medical oxygen production and the company is currently the only NDA-licensed medical oxygen producer in Uganda.
• Chemonics International (GHSC-PSM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerImplements the Global Health Supply Chain (GHSC-PSM) program. Partners with JMS on HIV, malaria, and reproductive health supply chain programs under value-based cost models.
• Uganda Catholic Medical Bureau (UCMB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding partner of JMS established in 1979 under the Trustees Incorporation Act. Appointed Board members including Prof. Vincent Bagire. JMS has a Memorandum of Understanding with UCMB.
• Uganda Protestant Medical Bureau (UPMB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding partner of JMS established in 1979 under the Trustees Incorporation Act. Appointed Board members including Dr. Tonny Tumwesigye (Ex-Officio). JMS has a Memorandum of Understanding with UPMB.
• Uganda Muslim Medical BureausupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerJMS has a Memorandum of Understanding with the Uganda Muslim Medical Bureau. Classified as accredited facilities in JMS customer system.
• Ministry of Health UgandacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolicy alignment, PHC credit line implementation, and health systems strengthening. JMS implements government-supported programs including Primary Health Care Grant (UGX 19.4B) and Alternative Distribution Strategy for reproductive health.
• National Drug Authority (NDA)coreOthersRegulatory body that licenses JMS to import, warehouse, export, and distribute medicines and healthcare supplies. Dr. Bildard Baguma serves on the NDA Board.
• National Medical Stores (NMS)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoordination on national supply chain systems and product standardization. Inter-warehouse transfers of commodities across public and faith-based sectors.
• Makerere University School of Public HealthsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership for health systems research, supply chain optimization studies, training programs, and joint development of innovations and pilot programs.
• Makerere University Business SchoolsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership for training, mentorship programs, and professional development initiatives.
• MinXraysupportingTechnology or IntegrationUS-based firm collaborating on AI-enabled X-ray diagnostic technologies for improved healthcare diagnostics.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Mission for Essential Drugs and Supplies (MEDS): Kenyan faith-based pharmaceutical wholesale and supply organization founded by the Catholic and Protestant medical bureaus — structurally near-identical to JMS in mission, ownership, and PNFP wholesale distribution model across East Africa.
• National Medical Stores (NMS), Uganda: Uganda's government-owned pharmaceutical warehouse and distribution agency, the public-sector counterpart to JMS. Both organizations distribute medicines to health facilities across Uganda via comparable last-mile delivery models, dividing the market between PNFP (JMS) and public (NMS) channels.

Others

• Chemonics International: US development contractor implementing the GHSC-PSM program that partners with JMS on HIV, malaria, and reproductive health supply chains. Comparable as an adjacent ecosystem participant in donor-funded pharma supply chains, though structurally a contracting prime rather than a wholesaler.
• Ecumenical Pharmaceutical Network (EPN): Global network of faith-based pharmaceutical supply organizations, including JMS and MEDS as members. Comparable as an ecosystem player aggregating PNFP pharma supply organizations that JMS belongs to, and a channel for shared learning, audits, and supplier qualification.

Broad incumbents

• IDA Foundation: Dutch global pharmaceutical wholesaler supplying affordable, quality-assured medicines, supplies, and equipment to LMICs across 130+ countries. Comparable to JMS in serving donor-funded health programs with reliable last-mile supply, but at far larger geographic scale and as a for-profit entity.
• Crown Agents: UK-based global development company providing pharmaceutical supply chain, procurement, and capacity-building services for donor-funded health programs in Africa and Asia. Comparable to JMS in service mix (procurement, warehousing, donor program management) and customer base (MoH and NGO clients).
• Missionpharma: Danish pharmaceutical supply company specializing in end-to-end distribution of medicines, medical devices, and laboratory equipment to public and NGO health programs in developing countries — a direct competitor for donor-funded supply contracts in the same geographies JMS serves.

Emerging players

• Medical Access Uganda Limited: Ugandan pharmaceutical company focused on affordable access to quality medicines for the private sector. Directly comparable to JMS in Uganda-based pharmaceutical distribution, but with a narrower focus on commercial channels rather than PNFP and donor-funded programs.

Regional players

• Pharmaceutical Products Limited (PPL), Kenya: One of East Africa's largest pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors, serving Kenya and adjacent markets. Comparable to JMS in pharmaceutical distribution scale and product breadth across the region, though operating from Kenya rather than Uganda.
• Central Medical Stores Trust, Malawi: Malawi's quasi-autonomous trust for procurement, warehousing, and distribution of essential medicines and medical supplies. Comparable to JMS as a hybrid PNFP-style supply chain operator serving public, private, and faith-based health facilities in another Sub-Saharan African country.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/jmsuganda
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/joint-medical-store
• Facebookfacebook.com/Joint-Medical-Store-100057666511102

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Joint Medical Store