Future
pharma few clicks away - The New Indian
Express – 11.06.2016
CHENNAI: Deciphering
a doctor’s handwriting prescription is no longer merely a pharmacist’s job.
With the impact of smartphones and online shopping impacting the sale of
medicines as well, there are now a host of apps and online methods to get your
daily doses while also possibly finding cheaper alternatives.
1mg is one such that
allows you to buy medicines online, find elder care and baby care products and
order for even pregnancy tests online, with the option of setting reminders and
reading medical news. And with the same medication being priced differently
across brands, the app also gives you the option of buying cheaper substitutes
for a medicine a doctor prescribes.
When Sheetal (name
changed) was prescribed with an antibiotic ‘Augmentin Duo’ a tablet
manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals, she was taken aback to find
that a strip of 10 tablets costs around Rs 250. On running the medicine through
the 1mg app, she found a host of substitutes, the cheapest of them being
‘Moxgrey-625’, priced at Rs 60, a saving of 76%. The most expensive substitute
was 225% costlier.
The
market price of a particular medicine usually remains the same across various
online pharmacies, and the apps also insist on uploading of a prescription for
drugs that cannot be sold off-the-counter.
The availability of
so much information and the ability to compare prices that different doctors
prescribe, along with benefits like being able to set-up appointment reminders,
booking home-lab tests and ordering repeat medicines is no doubt a departure
from the traditional hospital experience. And many doctors and patients believe
that the trend is here too stay.
“This seems to be the
way forward, like online shopping. A
patient with a chronic illness like diabetes or hypertension can easily fill up
stocks by ordering in advance,” says Dr Anand Ramamurthy, a city-based liver
transplant surgeon. “But in case you need a medicine urgently, the best bet
would probably be to call your friendly neighbourhood chemist and get the medicines
immediately.”
The idea of taking
substitute medicines make some people uncomfortable, as some are worried about
side effects. “When I was taking an expensive medicine for blood pressure, I found a cheaper substitute and switched to
that. But I experienced side effects like stomach pain; so I switched back.
Later, the cost of the original medicine itself was reduced by the company,”
says 64-year old Kamala, a homemaker.
“There are many
companies; so it is usually difficult even for the clinician to know which one
is good. I usually prescribe from 5-6 reputed companies that have long been in
the field. For a lay person, it may be confusing to decide whether a tablet
that costs Rs 50 is better than one that’s just Rs 15,” says Dr Anand. But rules in India for generic medicine has
always been easier so that poor patients can have access to medicines they
otherwise cannot afford, he adds, citing the instance of an anti-cancer drug
for which a generic drug developed was a fraction of the price. “Though this had some more pronounced side
effects, it was either that or nothing,”
he says.
Other online apps
include HealthKart Plus, NetMeds and Medidart, which also allow you to find
generic substitutes and help in reducing your medical bills. These apps also
allow you to place orders by uploading your prescription, and do routine
shopping like feminine hygiene-care products, nutritive supplements or personal
care products.
Get apps ASAP
With Apps like 1mg,
you can also find doctors and book appointments. The feature is up and running
for Chennai doctors
NetMeds app allows
you to order ‘refills’ with just a click
Medidart has an
automated medicine refill remainder system
E-Ayurveda
Tech-savvy,
but not really the type to go for allopathic meds? Baba Ramdev is here to help!
His Patanjali group has proposed an online system for Ayurvedic consultation
and treatment
Posted by for an information
A MAHALINGAM
BSc, BSOA (BITS), PG DOM, Dip.in T&D (ISTD), EDHM (LIBA), M B A (HM)
DIRECTOR
- TWINTECH ACADEMY BUSINESS MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS PVT LIMITED
E Mail : 2525india@gmail.com / mahali@mahali.in
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Professional Chapter
Activities & Memberships:
Member - Association of Healthcare Providers (India) - AHPI
Member - Society of Pharmaceutical Education & Research (SPER)
National Council Member - Indian Society for Training & Development,
Director - C - STAR(Common
Wealth Science and Technology Academy for Research)
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