The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) e-Pharmacy Working Group released a white paper titled ‘’e-Pharmacies at COVID-19 Frontline Fighting the Odds: Serving the Nation.’.
The FICCI ePharmacy Working Group comprising leaders in the sector, has been actively working to drive innovative models for medicine and healthcare access in the country.
The whitepaper elaborates on change in epharmacy market dynamics during the COVID 19 period and the subsequent response of epharmacy platforms in active partnership with existing pharmacies to provide access to quality and essential medicines at the door step of citizens of the country.
There is a need for a future ready digital health system in India, something that has become even more urgent in the wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic. A strong health system must have a resilient digital backbone and, in this light, epharmacies have the potential to ensure efficient and affordable universal health coverage. They also provide tracking and traceability of medicines which is a key aspect in the pharmaceutical supply chain.
Speaking on the occasion, Ashwini Kumar Choubey, minister of state for health and family welfare, ministry of health & family welfare, Government of India said ‘’The overall essence of these circumstances is that during the COVID-19 epidemic, the importance of technology and digital infrastructure to deliver affordable and quality medicines and health services to consumers across the country has clearly emerged. E-pharmacy is fulfilling the objectives of national development and the dream of Digital India of the Honourable Prime Minister. The e-pharmacy model can work effectively with the Government's common services centres (CSC) aimed at improving access to essential healthcare facilities in rural India’’.
Prashant Tandon, Chairperson, FICCI ePharmacy Working Group & Co-Founder, 1MG said, "The nascent epharmacy sector in India was fortunate to be in a position to serve the citizens during time of lockdown, ensuring access to medicines across the nation. The entrepreneurs in the space stepped up, and are motivated by the positive support of the citizens. We look forward to working with the Government and having clear and enabling guidelines to move this sector forward, and unleash a wave of innovation across the healthcare delivery ecosystem."
Adding further, Dilip Chenoy, secretary general FICCI, said, “The epharmacy sector through an active partnership with existing pharmacies, is firmly committed to support the government and help the nation in fighting COVID-19. The industry is working 24×7 to ensure that people get essential medicines at home all across the country, and the reach of existing pharmacies are expanded. There is an urgent need to nurture this promising sector with the right set of policy frameworks and guidelines in order to provide the benefits that the sector fosters for the consumers.”
‘’Digital Platforms will enable seamless exchange of information and will lead to drastic improvement in accessibility and availability of medicines across the country. This aligns with the governments vision of Digital India leading to all the stakeholders - be it doctors, pharmacies and patients to start using online platforms leading to better healthcare outcomes’’ said Dharmil Sheth, Member FICCI ePharmacy Working Group & Co-Founder, PharmEasy.
“E-pharmacies have not just served society at this time of pandemic, they have helped thousands of senior citizens and chronic patients stay safe by delivering medicines to their doorstep. What more, no other retail route provides transparency and adherence to laws the way epharmacies can. Digital health is the future and the pandemic has accelerated its adoption. There is an urgent need to nurture epharmacy sector with the right set of policy frameworks and guidelines in order to provide the benefits that the sector fosters for the citizens of the country," added Yogesh Shukla, director, Medlife. |