PharmaGo connects South Africans with their local pharmacies, making prescription deliveries faster and more convenient. The app allows users to have medications delivered directly from small, local pharmacies. First featured in the Daily Maverick, PharmaGo was created in response to a family member's struggle to access medicine outside business hours.
App Development and Consumer Needs
Developed since 2019, PharmaGo addresses the consumer need for fast, convenient medicine delivery. Larger companies can't always meet the demand for quick service, and local pharmacies often lack the infrastructure for efficient delivery. The app focuses on smaller, local pharmacies, digitizing the process of connecting pharmacies with customers, either through in-house drivers or external ones.
Pharmacy and Customer Benefits
One participating pharmacist noted that PharmaGo has given their business a strong online presence and increased the number of orders. Customers who prefer not to visit the pharmacy can now have their medications delivered conveniently. While the system integrates smoothly, there are occasional challenges with in-store staff managing online orders during busy periods.
Delivery Reach and Expansion Plans
PharmaGo offers delivery within a 50km range, which is particularly beneficial for customers living outside major urban areas. Although not its primary focus, this extended reach is part of the company’s strategy. The goal is to ensure that no customer is too far away to access the app’s services, even if they’re not close to a local pharmacy.
Since its launch in March, the app has gained more traction than expected, indicating a strong demand for this type of service. PharmaGo is currently focused on growth over profitability, aiming to expand its offerings beyond pharmacies into health, wellness, and beauty products.
Competition in the Market
PharmaGo faces competition from established businesses like Dis-Chem and Clicks. Dis-Chem offers pre-packed prescriptions and delivery, while Clicks provides free repeat prescription services, SMS reminders, and priority queuing for in-store pickups. The Clicks app also allows users to manage prescriptions and order medications online, including over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, with priority collection available in-store.
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