MARIA ASCENCAO

A personal health crisis introduced her to the power of natural medicine and she took her first tentative steps into the industry with a health shop/food bar at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town twenty years ago. This she later sold to establish a natural health centre which was aimed at fulfilling her vision to build a bridge for integrated medicine. The naturopathic skills she attained on her own healing journey laid the foundations for the launch of Bioharmony in 1996. She sold that company to BEE group, Enaleni, in 2007 and in January 2009 she joined OTC Pharma International as International Marketing Director and CEO of OTC Pharma South Africa.

“I have been able to spread my wings onto a global platform of the wellness revolution,” she enthuses. “This is the most rewarding and exciting industry to be in worldwide!” For Ascencao it’s been “an incredibly powerful and dynamic journey”. She oversees the marketing for 38 countries, including South Africa. “I travel between South Africa and the EU on a monthly basis and my love, passion and commitment to South Africa and to OTC Pharma South Africa is paramount in my daily life.”

A registered pharmaceutical company, OTC Pharma International has been in business for 20 years and operates in numerous countries around the world. The head office is located in the Netherlands and the main marketing and distribution centre is in the Netherlands. A branch was established in South Africa in 2002. The company manufactures markets and distributes a range of healthcare products including such leading brands as Marcus Rohrer Spirulina, Diabecinn, Similasan, Cetralin, Bye Wart, Rescue Select, Picksan Lice Stop and Rock Hard Weekend.

This diverse and distinctive range complies with Ascencao’s strict adherence to only the finest quality natural products. “Our range is developed by OTC Pharma International in Switzerland and the Netherlands through associations with various European universities and medical experts,” she explains. “They are all therapeutic products which are formulated and developed by scientists, and use a natural product-base to improve health and wellness, keeping in tune with nature.”

OTC Pharma South Africa has a close working relationship with OTC Pharma International and draws on a wealth of international experience and expertise which is strictly in line with the international guidelines and legislation that govern the pharmaceutical and nutraceuticals industries. The company sources the best possible products, backed by the best possible scientific expertise and research.

Ascencao is justifiably proud to be a part of this impressive global organisation. “Our products are internationally renowned health and wellness products, which are backed by science and created by medical experts, yet 100 percent based on the principles of nature. They are manufactured in GMP-certified laboratories and carry the Swiss Quality Brand Guarantee.”

Blessed with compassion, a unlimited zest for life as well as extraordinary resilience and fortitude, Ascencao is poised to fly into the stratosphere of success because she’s simply doing what she totally loves to do – working towards health and wellness for all.

For more information visit OTC Pharma SA.

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