Cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar to be the face of Aster Pharmacy; launches 150th outlet

Master Blaster to promote and support a variety of initiatives of the largest retail pharmacy network in the region

DUBAI - March 23, 2015: Aster DM Healthcare, a healthcare provider with presence in the Middle East and India, announced legendary cricketer and recipient of the Bharat Ratna Mr. Sachin Tendulkar, as the global face and brand ambassador of the Aster Pharmacy vertical.  

Mr. Tendulkar inaugurated the 150th outlet of Aster Pharmacy later in the day which is located at Hamdan Street in Abu Dhabi. 

Mr. Tendulkar was ceremonially initiated into the Group by Dr Azad Moopen, Chairman and Managing Director of Aster DM Healthcare, in the presence of senior management officials of the Group. In his role as the brand ambassador, Mr. Tendulkar will also support a variety of community initiatives being undertaken by the Group. Mr. Tendulkar and the Aster DM Healthcare have committed to offer Dh: 1Million on various initiatives to support the needy and the downtrodden in India.

Mr. Tendulkar, the most prolific run machine of all times, is regarded as one of the greatest cricketers and the most complete batsman in the world. He is arguably the greatest cricket icon the game has ever produced. 

Commenting on the partnership, Dr Azad Moopen - Chairman and Managing Director of Aster DM Healthcare, said, “We are extremely proud to announce our partnership with the legendary cricketer Bharat Ratna Sachin Tendulkar. This will help Aster Pharmacy to showcase many unique products and services to the customers. It will also aid the task of educating the masses about the importance of healthy living and safe medication. Sachin will also be a part of our Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives helping to spread the message and reach out to the public with socially relevant causes.” 
 
Commenting on his new assignment, Mr. Tendulkar said, “I am delighted to be appointed as the brand ambassador of Aster Pharmacy, which is the most successful retail pharmacy chain in the region. It has been a pleasure to know Dr. Azad Moopen and understand the journey of Aster DM Healthcare. In fact, I debuted for India in 1989 which happens to be the same year that Aster Pharmacy opened its first outlet and both of us did well from there on! I am particularly impressed about responsible and responsive manner, in which Aster DM Healthcare touches the lives of thousands of people around the region. I look forward to working with the entire team at Aster making a positive impact on the lives of all stakeholders.” 
 
Mr. Jobilal, CEO and Assistant Vice President of Aster Pharmacy vertical, said, “For us, there cannot be a better brand ambassador than Mr. Sachin Tendulkar. The celebrated cricketer, in accordance with his health-conscious and sporty personality, will symbolize Aster Pharmacy in various initiatives of social education programmes and customer awareness. These programmes would be aimed at educating people about the basic routines to be adopted for a healthier life, which is a promise that Aster Pharmacy outlets offer along with its ‘much more than medicines' philosophy.”

Mr. Anoop Moopen, Director - Aster DM Healthcare, said, “Our partnership with Mr. Sachin Tendulkar marks a very important milestone in the journey of Aster. The Pharmacy vertical has showcased a very successful operation model in the region. We have a strong strategy to further extend the reach of Aster as a brand, which is now wide-spread both in terms of reach and offerings. Mr. Tendulkar's presence and support will help us to reach out to the society better and more efficiently on our various community initiatives.”

The first outlet of Aster Pharmacy opened in 1989, and there has been no looking back ever since. Aster Pharmacy is a one-stop-shop for healthcare products, offering quality medical and allied products at the best prices in a refreshing ambience. Aster Pharmacies stock a wide variety of curative, nutritional and baby care products systematically displayed for allowing over the counter service. 
 
Aster DM Healthcare, with nearly three decades of reputation in the healthcare sector, has grown immensely operating a network of over 239 health facilities across the Middle East and India. Aster Pharmacy network is one of the largest employers in the retail pharmacy sector of the region.