Digitalisation in the Indian healthcare sector has resulted in how consumers access medical services. Online pharmacies have become an important source for consumers of affordable and accessible medicines. For many years, the delivery of medicines via the internet has been gaining popularity among patients, especially when it comes to accessing medicines from the comfort of their homes.
One of the most significant players in changing how the Indian healthcare sector accesses medicines is Truemeds.The focus of Truemeds as a digital healthcare service provider is to make prescription medications accessible and affordable to patients on time. Truemeds utilises the combination of pharmacy practice and technology to meet the growing demand for the organised and timely online medicine home delivery of prescription medication to consumers across India.
Increased Demand for Digital Health Services in India
There are several reasons why there is an increasing demand for digital healthcare services in India. Some of the major contributors include an ageing population, busy urban lifestyles and better access to medicines in rural areas. Prior to the development of digital health services, patients relied on local pharmacies for their medicinal needs, however, local pharmacies experienced issues related to out-of-stock medications, limited business hours, and variability of availability of prescribed medications.
Truemeds has addressed these concerns through its digital platform. The platform provides patients the opportunity to order their medications online and have them delivered directly to their homes. The model for healthcare accessibility that Truemeds offers has made healthcare more accessible to consumers, while reducing the amount of time and effort needed to obtain medicinal products, especially those that require long-term treatment plans.
Streamlining the Process of Acquiring Medications
Truemeds employs a systematic process for the acquisition of prescribed medication to assure safe and accurate medicine distribution to its patients. Prior to receiving their order; patients may access the Truemeds website or use their mobile app to upload their written prescriptions and/or electronic prescriptions.
Each and every one of the prescriptions received from the patient will then have to be reviewed (verified) by a licensed pharmacist to ensure that the medication requested are in accordance with the original prescription given to the patient. The review of prescriptions assures compliance with pharmacy regulation, and it also provides an added layer of professional monitoring to the dispensation of medications.
In addition to verifying prescriptions, the platform provides patients with comprehensive information about the products, including the name and strength of the product, the name of the manufacturer and the price of the product. The level of detail provided allows patients to make informed decisions regarding their purchases and to understand exactly what they are purchasing. Truemeds provides patients with alternatives of products containing the same active ingredient as the prescribed product, thereby helping patients to cost-effectively manage their treatment plans.
Emphasis on Timely and Accurate Delivery
Truemeds has developed a well-established and organised delivery process that emphasises the timely delivery of products to patients. The products are obtained from suppliers that have been verified as legitimate and reputable sources. Products are then stored appropriately prior to shipping. Upon confirmation of an order, the fulfilment of the order is completed through the coordinated efforts of a number of delivery centres. This process ensures that the correct product is delivered to the patient and that the quality of the product is maintained.
Patients are informed of the status of their order through live tracking and delivery updates. This type of communication enables patients to schedule their treatments more effectively and eliminates delays associated with receiving necessary medications. Truemeds’ logistics partners adhere to the proper care procedures to ensure that the integrity of temperature-sensitive medications are maintained during transportation.
Integration of Pharmacists into Digital Platform
Pharmacists have an important role to play in developing public confidence in the legitimacy of online pharmacies. At Truemeds, qualified professionals review each prescription to confirm that the dose levels indicated in the prescription are appropriate and do not interfere with the medications that the patient is currently taking.
In addition to these types of digital tools that track repeat prescriptions for patients, there are other digital tools that can be used by Pharmacists to assist patients in using the medication as it has been prescribed by their doctor. Patients may communicate with pharmacists via phone call or via an online chat session; this enables a collaborative relationship between patients and pharmacists to ensure compliance and safety in relation to the delivery of medication via the Internet.
Use of Technology and Automation in the Delivery of Healthcare Services
Truemeds relies upon modern technological advancements to establish an efficient operational system. Through automation in processes such as managing customers, tracking product inventory and forecasting product demand, these automated processes help minimise the probability of running out of a product and improve the accuracy of inventory.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Analytics assist with identifying trends in the use of medications, predicting the times of highest demand and scheduling deliveries accordingly. The precision of planning deliveries and meeting the needs of patients is a benefit of using AI and Data Analytics.
Additionally, the electronic recordkeeping capabilities enhance the ability to track the products that patients purchase and provide a level of accountability at all stages of the order cycle.
Increasing Access to Medicines in Rural and Semi-Rural Areas
Although online pharmacies were originally successful in urban settings, the reach of online pharmacies has expanded to semi-rural and rural settings. Truemeds has assisted in expanding the reach of online pharmacies through the provision of a digital interface in multiple languages and the delivery of products to locations where physical pharmacies are less prevalent.
Truemeds’ increased ability for customers to purchase medicines in rural or semi-rural areas has decreased the dependency on city-based medical services and is helping to bridge the gap between patients and the needed medicine.
Additionally, by increasing its delivery network to include rural areas, Truemeds can provide expanded access to healthcare and help ensure that the advantages of digital healthcare do not go to only the city dwellers.
Providing Support to Patients Who Require Long-Term Treatment Plans
Because many people with long-term (chronic) illnesses need to regularly replace their prescription medication, Truemeds helps support these patients through offering features that enable them to manage their treatment needs including sending refill reminders, providing electronic storage of their prescriptions, and enabling the scheduling of recurring deliveries.
Using digital tools to assist with managing long-term treatments enables patients to maintain a consistent treatment regimen without having to visit pharmacies repeatedly. Additionally, electronic prescriptions may be used as a permanent record for both patients and healthcare professionals, enabling improved organization and effectiveness in managing patient medications.
Enhancing Confidence in the Digital Healthcare System
Confidence is an important component of the digital healthcare space. Truemeds creates confidence among consumers through transparency, professionalism and compliance with regulatory pharmacy laws. With respect to each order, Truemeds includes documentation of a valid prescription, verification of professionals and authenticity of products.
Truemeds’ commitment to complying with the necessary guidelines of pharmaceutical practice, provides assurance that each transaction that occurs on the platform, will meet the required standards of pharmaceutical practice. Additionally, customers are provided with complete and detailed invoices and information related to the product batch, enhancing the relationship of trust between patients and the digital service provider.
Expansion of Role of Home Delivery in the Healthcare Sector
The growth of online medicine home delivery is transforming the healthcare sector in India by creating more convenient, organized and reliable access to medical services. Truemeds’ contribution to the development of this market, involves the combination of technology and professional pharmacy practices. Through the facilitation of easier access to ordering medicines, providing affordability, and maintaining quality assurance, Truemeds has established itself as an important contributor to the growing digital healthcare system in India, providing patients with greater efficiency and ease of access to medical services.