Since its launch in February 2025, AKOS BIO Pharmacy has quickly emerged as a transformative force in South Africa’s evolving medical cannabis sector.
As the country’s first fully licensed online pharmacy dedicated to dispensing high-grade, compliant medical cannabis, AKOS BIO Pharmacy is already making waves — not only for its ground-breaking model but also for its vocal advocacy in response to recent Department of Health (DOH) policy shifts regarding hemp and cannabis in foodstuffs.
Co-founded by Connor Davis and Anton Ofield-Kerr, AKOS BIO Pharmacy is not a concept in its infancy — it is a fast-moving, regulatory-aligned operation that works in partnership with local GMP-certified cultivators, manufacturers, and key regulators, including the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC), the Department of Health, and SAHPRA. This end-to-end compliance ensures that every product and patient interaction meets the highest standards of safety, efficacy, and legal transparency.
“We’re proud to be offering patients safe, evidence-based access to cannabis-based medicines — not fringe alternatives,” says Davis. “We’re showing that cannabis can exist within the legitimate medical space, guided by science, regulated processes, and professional oversight.”
The AKOS BIO Pharmacy model is simple yet powerful: patients complete a virtual consultation with cannabinoid-prescribing doctors through the company’s digital platform. Following a personalized treatment plan, the pharmacy dispenses the appropriate medical cannabis and delivers it directly to the patient’s door — discreetly, securely, and efficiently. A team of clinicians and pharmacists — including a Responsible Pharmacist — supports the patient throughout their treatment journey, with follow-ups and ongoing care extending beyond the initial prescription.
This model is not just convenient; it’s compliant, ethical, and patient-first — a refreshing departure from the grey areas that have long plagued the cannabis industry in South Africa. By combining digital health technology with clinical oversight, AKOS BIO Pharmacy is providing a scalable solution to an often underserved market of chronic illness patients.
Connor’s motivation to launch AKOS BIO Pharmacy was deeply personal. After witnessing the life-changing effects of cannabis oil on his father, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, he devoted years to researching the science of cannabinoids and building a responsible framework for access. What began as a family health journey evolved into a professional mission rooted in science, empathy, and access.
His co-founder, Anton Ofield-Kerr, brings decades of experience in global health equity and medicines access. A former ICU nurse turned international health policy advocate, Ofield-Kerr has worked with institutions like the World Health Organization (WHO), UNAIDS, UNITAID, and the Medicines Patent Pool, helping to open access to antiretrovirals across Africa. Now, he’s applying that same lens to medical cannabis.
“For too long, South Africa has produced world-class, export-grade medical cannabis — while local patients have been unable to access it,” says Ofield-Kerr. “We’re working with regulators, local producers, and healthcare professionals to change that.”
This approach is particularly timely. In recent months, AKOS BIO Pharmacy has taken a leading role in responding to — and helping overturn — controversial DOH guidance that sought to restrict access to hemp and cannabis-infused foodstuffs. The company’s strong, evidence-based stance gained national media attention and reinforced its position as a credible industry voice advocating for patient rights, scientific integrity, and regulatory clarity.
While the 2018 decriminalisation of cannabis laid the groundwork for change, South Africa’s cannabis industry has lagged behind international counterparts — in part due to persistent stigma and clinical hesitancy. Davis believes AKOS BIO is well-positioned to bridge that gap.
“Medical cannabis is still misunderstood by many doctors and patients alike,” he explains. “That’s why education is central to our model. We’re here to replace confusion with clinical guidance, and stigma with science.”
By only working with local GMP-certified cultivators and manufacturers — and operating as a fully licensed pharmacy — AKOS BIO Pharmacy ensures every product it dispenses is held to the highest international standards. These safeguards are critical in building the trust of both the public and the broader medical community.
The company also recognises that changing perceptions requires collaboration. Its team regularly engages with medical professionals, researchers, and policymakers to help craft a more informed, patient-centred narrative around cannabis. “We’re committed to ensuring this isn’t a trend — it’s a long-term shift in how we think about integrative care,” says Ofield-Kerr.
With a fully licensed pharmacy, a dedicated clinical team, and deep partnerships across cultivation, manufacturing, and regulation, AKOS BIO Pharmacy is paving the way for the future of cannabis medicine in South Africa. The vision isn’t just about growth — it’s about legitimising access, improving patient outcomes, and bringing healing home.
“If done right,” Davis adds, “South Africa’s cannabis industry has the potential to grow exponentially. But more importantly, it can change lives — for patients living with chronic pain, anxiety, epilepsy, insomnia, and many other conditions that conventional medicine doesn’t always solve.”