Online drug delivery spreading fast in towns
A total of 8.8 million households have used epharmacy services during the lockdown, and the highest number is in nonmetro townships. This shows that consumers prefer digital infrastructure for supply of essential medicines.
This number is expected to touch 70 million households by 2025. Offline chemists find this not only as a threat but also argue that the privacy of consumers, doctors and pharmacists must not be violated.
In their suggestions to the National Health Authority for the draft digital policy, offline pharmacists have pointed out the confidentiality aspect which is an important factor in dispensing medicines.
During the pandemic, the shift to tele-consulting by doctors and digital prescriptions of medicines has allowed e-pharmacy to emerge as an effective alternative. It has not only been convenient but also safe for consumers.
Yogesh Shukla, director
● IN THEIR suggestions to the National Health Authority for the draft digital policy, offline pharmacists have pointed out the confidentiality aspect which is an important factor in dispensing medicines.
● During the pandemic, the shift to tele-consulting by doctors and digital prescriptions of medicines has allowed e-pharmacy to emerge as an effective alternative. It has not only been convenient but also safe for consumers.
of Medlife, explained, “The shift before the pandemic was noted among senior citizens and those suffering from chronic diseases who opted epharmacy services. We are adhering to all laws and no data confidentaility that will be violated. Digital health services are the future and it is going to benefit citizens like it has done during the pandemic.”
Streamlining accessibility of medicines is the need of the hour as was noted in the case of remdesivir injections.
The digital platform created by the company Cipla allowed for verification not only by doctors and pharmacists but also gave patients the medicine at an affordable price.
The offline chemists under the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists have stated that the Centre must first amend the Drugs Act and its allied laws and implement a strong data protection Act so that the people have confidence in epharmacies.
The organisation has stated that protection of health profile in the digital era is important and the right of the citizen who wishes anonymity and privacy about health conditions cannot be encroached.
Their contention is that e- pharmacies will encroach on these basic rights. The surge during pandemic is viewed only as a short-term gain by chemists who state that the offline business is based on their relationship and confidence building measures over years with the customer.