DUBAI - May 28, 2015

Aster Pharmacy, a division of Aster DM Healthcare, has been honored for its outstanding performance and for achieving business excellence during the eighth Cycle of the prestigious Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Business Award (MRM Award) constituted by Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI).

Mr. Anoop Moopen, Director of Aster DM Healthcare, received the award from HH Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai at the annual award ceremony held at Madinat Jumeirah Arena on May 27, 2015. This coveted award recognizes exceptional business performance that contributes to the economic development of the GCC region.

Aster Pharmacy operates more than 150 retail outlet. The entity followed a prudent growth strategy, demonstrated continuous improvement and achieved excellence through adoption of soundly-based approaches for quality services.  

The MRM Award is annually held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Since its inception, the Award is considered as one of the highest recognitions in the region for attaining business excellence. This year, the award ceremony celebrated the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Business Performance Programme's expansion across the GCC by honouring organisations which took part in the yearlong 8th cycle program and showcased business excellence.

Mr. Jobilal, CEO and Assistant Vice President of Aster Pharmacy vertical, said, "Aster Pharmacy was considered for the award for demonstrating the best business practices in the UAE and throughout the GCC region. To be qualified for the award, Aster Pharmacy underwent three comprehensive assessments and a jury review, starting from September 2014 to April 2015. We have been implementing radical changes in Aster Pharmacy's organizational structure and functioning in terms of leadership, workforce, talent management, customers, strategies, operations and procedures, social responsibilities and innovations," he added.

Mr. Anoop Moopen, Director of Aster DM Healthcare, said, "This highly desired award measures and recognizes businesses that encourage the development of the economic department of the UAE. We streamlined our operations in line with the strategies of the award committee to create a high level competitive business environment that fosters trade, business development, and job creation, which ultimately contributes to a solid and sustainable growth of the GCC economies."

Aster Pharmacy has won numerous awards and accolades including the Best Pharmacy Award under the Dubai Service Excellence Scheme established by Dubai's Department of Economic Development (DED), the Government of Dubai in the years 2010 and 2011, and the Best Service Performance Brands award under the Dubai Service Excellence Scheme in 2015.

Aster Pharmacy is a one-stop-shop for healthcare products, offering quality medical and allied products. The pharmacy retail outlets stock a wide variety of curative, nutritional and baby care products systematically displayed for allowing over the counter service. The first outlet of Aster Pharmacy was opened in 1989, and there has been no looking back ever since. Celebrated cricketer and recipient of the Bharat Ratna, Mr. Sachin Tendulkar recently endorsed Aster Pharmacy vertical as its global face and brand ambassador by dedicating its 150th outlet to the UAE community.

Aster Pharmacy showcases many products and services to customers, in addition to educating the masses about the importance of a healthy lifestyle and safe medication. The organization has undertaken a number of initiatives of social education and customer awareness programmes. These programmes aim to educate the community 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.

The MRM Award has attracted a large number of GCC companies from various economic sectors and the award ceremony was open to the GCC business community as well as top local and international executives and business excellence leaders.

A host of winning organisations across various award categories including Trade, Finance, Manufacturing, Services, Construction, Re-Export, Transport and Logistics were honoured for their outstanding performance in achieving business excellence at the prestigious event. Each category of the award included different business sectors.

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About Aster DM Healthcare
Aster DM Healthcare currently owns and operates a network of over 240 units across the Middle East and India, covering an array of healthcare verticals including clinics, hospitals, pharmacies, and a modern medical city. These network units are consolidated under the brand names ACCESS, ASTER, MEDCARE, ASTER Medcity and MIMS. The multitude of health facilities that include 16 hospitals offer primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary care in order to meet the requirements of people from a cross section of the society.

For further information, please contact:
Aakash Roy / Mohamed Sohel               
Aster DM Healthcare 
Dir: +971 04 4544669 
M: +971 55 7009498 
Email: aakash.roy@dmhealthcare.com/ sohel@dmhealthcare.com 
                                                       
Rasheed Palliyalil
Watermelon PR
Tel: +971 04 2833655
Email: rasheed@watermelonme.com                                                

© Press Release 2015