From Luisen to Geka: a chemist that could

Today, Geka Pharma is one of Namibia's major pharmaceutical distributors. But, like all other great companies, it had a humble beginning.

Dr Gerda Kannegiesser

Early last century, in 1909, Franz Herzog opened a chemist, Luisen Apotheke, to provide medicines for the ill and the ailing in what was then a German colony. The business is still operating today. In 1938, his daughter, Dr. Gerda Kannegiesser took over the business. Shortly afterwards, she began importing medicine on a small scale.
After World War 2, in 1949, Luisen was registered as an importer of medicine from the USA and Europe. The company went from strength to strength, and in November 1968, Dr. Gerda Kannegiesser combined the first two letters of her Christian name and surname to form the first name of the new company - Geka Pharma.

Although Geka Pharma has become a major Namibian pharmaceutical distributor, Dr. Kannegiesser’s vision of a company that would provide high quality medicines and pharmaceuticals for people across Namibia is still the main driving principle today.