The story
1967–1990: Foundation and early growth
Douglas Pharmaceuticals began when founder Graeme Douglas created a cough syrup called Kofsin while working as a chemist in Te Atatū, West Auckland. As demand grew, the company contracted manufacturing chemists to maintain supply. The company subsequently began importing niche pharmaceuticals, packaging them at Douglas's chemist shop, and distributing them to other pharmacists.
In the early 1970s, Douglas sold his chemist shop, which had reached over $2 million in revenue, to focus exclusively on the pharmaceutical business. By the late 1980s, Douglas Pharmaceuticals sold over 40 products and recorded a revenue of $25 million, which grew to more than $70 million over the following decade.
1990–2014: International expansion and leadership transition
In 2005, the company opened a manufacturing facility in Nadi, Fiji, to produce tablets, capsules, and powder products for international export markets. During this period, Douglas Pharmaceuticals expanded into consumer products, including the Clinicians nutraceuticals range and Phloe for bowel health.
In 2012, Graeme Douglas's eldest son, Jeff Douglas, took over the day-to-day operations of the company. In 2014, Graeme Douglas officially stepped down and Jeff Douglas was appointed Managing Director.
Founder Sir Graeme Douglas died on 1 September 2016, at which time the company employed more than 450 people and distributed products to 35 countries.
Under Jeff Douglas, the company increased exports of its flagship product, softgel isotretinoin, to the United States and to Europe.
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Tasman Therapeutics, a subsidiary and spin-out of Douglas Pharmaceuticals, was established during this time to develop ketamine (R-107) for treatment-resistant depression.
2014–present: Modern developments and restructuring
In July 2022, the Sir Graeme Douglas Memorial Garden was opened at the company's head office in Henderson, featuring a custom rose variety bred by Sam McGredy at Graeme Douglas's request.
In September 2022, the company opened the "Douglas Innovation" building, a 4,500-square-metre, $50 million research and development centre featuring pilot-scale product development suites, commercial manufacturing rooms, and a dedicated cytotoxic waste containment system.
By 2024, the company's workforce grew to over 650 people, manufacturing 40 products sold across more than 50 countries. The company's primary therapeutic focus areas included oncology, dermatology, the central nervous system (CNS), immunity, and immuno-suppression.
Early that year, the company launched Douglas CDMO, a contract development and manufacturing organisation focused on the development and registration of specialty generic medicines for international markets, including the United States and the European Union.
In late 2025, the company underwent a corporate restructuring to separate its core pharmaceuticals and novel drug development operations from its consumer and nutraceuticals division, spinning the latter off into a new entity named Healthcare by Douglas.
This division reduced the direct headcount of Douglas Pharmaceuticals to just under 500 employees, though both entities remain family-owned and co-located in Henderson.
In 2026, Sean Westbrook became Chief Executive Officer of Douglas Pharmaceuticals, and Jeff Douglas stepped into the role of Executive Director.
From Wikipedia’s article on Douglas Pharmaceuticals, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.3