Start-ups like Farmako and Medstown are revolutionizing the way individuals access their medications by leveraging technology for rapid delivery services, addressing urgent healthcare needs.
Farmako, based in Gurugram, has emerged as a leader by offering 30-minute medicine delivery. With the closure of brick-and-mortar pharmacies during odd hours, founder Aman Bhandula recognized the necessity for speed, stating, "We live in a world where groceries are delivered in 10-15 minutes. We wanted to push the limits to test whether we can do a 15, 20-minute delivery." This service has evolved since the company initially partnered with local pharmacy stores and delivery service Swiggy Genie.
Farmako operates within the Delhi-NCR region, currently managing three pharmacies and is ambitiously working to expand its reach to ten additional cities by 2025. Using their mobile app or real-time chats via WhatsApp, Farmako users can connect with pharmacists to facilitate their orders.
Meanwhile, Medstown, founded by Syed Hussaini, employs its own fleet for rapid delivery after partnering with around 1,000 local pharmacies. The enhanced database containing 1.3 lakh medicines allows for efficient fulfilment of customer needs. Hussaini detailed their proprietary system, explaining, "We have developed an internal AI process—an embeds-on-prescription AI—which automates the process. It converts handwritten prescriptions to text within one and half seconds and validates them... If a pharmacy does not have a medicine, the remaining order is mapped to the next pharmacy, ensuring fulfilment."
These innovations come amid intense competition as major players like Swiggy, Zepto, and Flipkart enter the medicine delivery arena. Traditional e-pharmacies are now overshadowed by these start-ups focused on rapid, local fulfillment, positioning themselves as significant disruptors.
Bhandula points out the distinct challenges faced by the pharmaceutical delivery sector, stating, "Your product will be much different than the grocery one... you need internal tools, customer support, and pharmacists who approve prescriptions in real-time." This indicates the complexity and necessity for maintaining high standards across their services.
Simultaneously, the Health Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Sakeena Itoo, is emphasizing transparency and timely delivery of medical supplies within the region. Recently, she chaired a meeting to review the Jammu and Kashmir Medical Supplies Corporation Limited (JKMSCL), urging officials to refine their distribution systems to improve healthcare delivery across the state. "I emphasised the need to strengthen the monitoring system of medical supplies to improve healthcare service delivery across Jammu and Kashmir," said Itoo.
The Health Minister directed the management to expedite procurement processes and implement effective frameworks for timely delivery, especially for rural and remote areas. She also shared the need for physical monitoring of medicine distribution, insisting on accountability from JKMSCL.
Highlighting the potential conflict between growth ambitions and service expectations, start-ups are racing against established players to secure funding for their operations. For example, Farmako has raised $1.5 million from Y Combinator and is ambitiously pursuing Series A funding, as articulated by Bhandula.
Hussaini unveiled similar intentions, declaring, "We have already closed our pre-seed and will most probably close our seed round at a valuation of $5 million." This proactive approach indicates their commitment to not only surviving but thriving amid burgeoning competition.
With consumer expectations continuing to evolve with the convenience culture, the future of quick medicine delivery looks increasingly tech-driven. Both start-ups and established companies are on the precipice of innovation, promising to provide faster and more efficient solutions for immediate medical needs. The intersection of technology and healthcare signifies not only the shift of service delivery but also the fundamental change of how society accesses medication.