Alan Peter Oppenheim

Alan Oppenheim is the son of Gerald and Rae Oppenheim, who founded Ego Pharmaceuticals from their home in 1953, when they saw a need for products to restore and maintain healthy skin. Their first product, Ego Pine Tar Bath Solution, today called Pinetarsol, remains one of Australia’s most widely used skin inflammation skin treatments.

Under the visionary leadership of Alan, who became Managing Director in 1995, together with his wife Dr Jane Oppenheim, Scientific and Operations Director, Ego has grown to be Australia’s largest pharmaceutical business specialising in dermatology products.

Ego products are exported to more than 25 nations and are used by more than three million people every day.

Alan began working in the somewhat smaller family business when he was still at school, working after hours in despatch, receiving and physically moving drums of ingredients around – well before the arrival of any forklifts.

He studied chemistry and computer science at Monash University before officially joining Ego in 1981. Alan initially focussed on automating the factory stock and manufacturing information systems, followed by improving quality assurance systems in production, quality control testing processes and the science behind all marketing material. Ego is acknowledged for the quality science underpinning its products.

Alan’s passion for Ego, the pharmaceutical industry, and the science that inspires and supports it, has led to numerous accolades and industry recognition including an Honorary Life Member of the Australian Dermatology Nurses Association (for community service), Entrepreneur of the Year (2006), the Australian Export Hero Award (2010), BRW/ANZ Private Business Award for overseas trading (2010) and the Governor of Victoria Export Awards (2006, 2009 and 2015). Alan has been President of the International Federation of Societies of Cosmetic Scientists representing 14,000 scientists in 35 nations.

Alan is also a generous philanthropist supporting several charities here and abroad and through Ego has established fellowships for dermatologists and dermatology nurses in Australia and internationally.