Nagaland’s first online pharmacy app launched
Morung Express News
Dimapur | May 27
Among other issues, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for creating local and more convenient access to health care.
Pharmacies in Nagaland have been exempted from the pandemic induced lockdown. However, with restrictions on movement, the access to medicines and other health products has been a problem for the citizens, especially those in the rural and remote areas.
Under such circumstances, Genesis Pharma app, a first of its kind retail pharmacy app developed in Nagaland was launched by Jacob Zhimomi, Minister PHED on May 27.
“Happy to launch Genesis Pharma today at #Dimapur. Nagaland’s first online pharmacy. Now citizens can avail health care products at their doorstep!” Zhimomi tweeted on Thursday.
Speaking to The Morung Express on the day of the launch, Managing Director of Genesis Pharma, Kenny shared that in interior areas, people have little or no access to the medicines they need. While pharmacies might be available in the vicinity, medicine stock is not guaranteed at all times.
Kenny said that the Genesis Pharma app has been developed with a view to address this need and to fill the gap.
With social distancing being the ‘new normal’ during these unprecedented times, he expressed hope that the app would be a convenient medium for patients to procure their prescribed medication even during the lockdown.
With a database of over 1.6 lakh medicines and wellness products, the app assures door step delivery of medicines. The company will partner with pharmacies in the State to deliver the medicines to customers all over Nagaland. While some pharmacies with high footfall might not be up for the concept of having their medicines delivered to customers, Kenny said that licensed pharmacies willing to provide delivery service can connect with Genesis Pharma.
All affiliated pharmacies will have access to the common inventory database, which will help small retail pharmacies to have access to the medicines without having to stock them. Kenny informed that the medicine sources are local wholesalers, dealerships, distributors and pharmacists, and as such, product authenticity is guaranteed.
The Genesis Pharma app allows users to upload their prescription, request medicine, schedule refill, manage reminders etc. The app also features various over-the-counter (OTC) medicine and wellness products and offers discounts on medical products. Users can search medicine by name or upload prescription to get medical products at home.
Customers can place their orders in the app, and the nearest chemist will deliver the same to them. In case of non-availability of medicines with the nearest chemist, the company will dispatch it to them after which, it can be delivered to the customers, Kenny explained. While the concept execution and response remains to be seen, Kenny hoped that the Genesis Pharma app would pick up pace in the coming days and reach the target audience in the rural locations.
The app is available on Google Play Store and has registered over 500 downloads on the first day. According to Kenny, around 60 orders have been received on May 27.
Kenny also highlighted that Genesis Pharma has started its services in Dimapur and will expand to other districts very soon. “We are in touch with pharmacies in districts like Kohima, Wokha, Mokokchung and Tuensang,” Kenny shared, adding that the services will be launched in other districts in a phase-wise manner.
