In the last two years of Covid 19 pandemic, how has India responded to e pharmacy? Is online drug business getting momentum in the country? Notably, Indians are not much into consulting an online pharmacy or buying from an online health platform.
A survey by YouGov claims that a third of urban Indians (52 per cent) regularly consulted an online pharmacy or bought from an online health platform. Almost the same numbers said they did so during the pandemic but not anymore.
The survey shows that one in twelve urban Indians have not accessed these platforms yet. It said that about eight per cent of the participants of the survey are eager to try them out. Some have not used these platforms for any service (20 per cent) or are not aware/ do not have access to them (9 per cent).
E-PHARMA COMPANIES
Among the companies, PharmEasy is the most popular platform. About three in ten (27 per cent) use it regularly to meet their healthcare needs. Apollo Pharmacy and Img are next (20 per cent each). Medlife, Netmeds are Practo are other popular brands.
Among the adults between 18 and 29 years of age, Apollo Pharmacy is more popular. It is also more dominant in South India as compared to the other regions (38 per cent). On the other hand, PharmEasy has greater popularity in North India (34 per cent) while Img is more dominant in West India (31 per cent).
HIGHER PREFERENCE
Online pharmacies have higher preference among adults between 30 and 39 years (38 per cent) as well as those residing in North India (36 per cent) and tier-1 cities (38 per cent). On the other side, tier-3 residents are more likely to say they are either not aware, do not have access or have not yet but are eager to try them out. Though covid-19 pandemic helped in the increase of demand for e-pharmacy in metros and big cities, it is yet to garner momentum in smaller towns and cities,
GOOD OR BAD
The YouGov survey found that nearly two-thirds (64 per cent) had a good experience of using e pharmacy. Meanwhile only nine per cent called it bad. Most of the users said that they trusted these platforms (78 per cent). Trust is high even among those who have not used these platforms yet, as they are more likely to say they trust than not trust these platforms (47 per cent vs 14 percent).
If you have an inspiring story to share to the world, send it to indianflash123@gmail.com
