Rebecca Ejifoma
Healthplus Ltd has launched West Africa’s first-ever innovative ePharmacy and digital prescription online store for quicker access to the country’s best pharmaceutical care.
The store is a fully automated one-stop-shop for pharmaceutical services, providing access to over 150 qualified professionals nationwide for the comfort of people’s homes while also replicating the role of the community pharmacist online.
Addressing newsmen during the launch in Lagos, the Head Business Development, Nnenna Emenyonu, said the launch marks a big step in the democratisation of health in Nigeria and providing unprecedented healthcare access for Nigerians in all geographical locations.
“The HealthPlus ePharmacy is attributed to a rise in the number of internet consumers, increased access to web-based and online services, and the rising implementation of e-prescriptions in hospitals and other healthcare services,” she added.
She cited that with 108 million internet users in Nigeria and an estimated 120 million mobile phone holders, HealthPlus is now able to connect more Nigerians to qualified pharmacists and fast track the provision of efficient health care.
Emenyonu bemoaned that Nigeria is also severely under served in the aspect of pharmacy stores locations. In her words, only 25 per cent of her local governments have any sort of pharmacy. That means, 70 per cent of her LGAs have no access to a pharmacist.
For the Chief Transformation Officer, Chidi Okoro, pharmacists are the first point of care for many Nigerians and are critical to ensure access to essential drugs.
Hence, the HealthPlus ePharmacy platform is following the mission to enhance access to wholesome medicines and good pharmacy care services.
“Customers can now access professional pharmacists online from the comfort of their homes using mobile devices,” he said.
Okoro, however, assured the public that the newly launched ePharmacy will help bridge this gap. “The country has one of the lowest productivity rates in the world owing to absenteeism and inadequate health care.”
According to him, if more Nigerians have access to health and the country takes a more proactive approach, productivity will increase significantly.
“In keeping with its commitment to raise the standard of care, provide safe access to wholesome medications and reduce wait times, HealthPlus is utilising the latest technology to consolidate the compendium of care and expand our vision to our customers’ mobile devices.”
Afsane Jetha, managing partner and CEO Alta Semper and HealthPlus’s private equity partner, stated that healthcare in Africa is at an inflection point and has proven its ability to leapfrog traditional business models. “It is becoming more consumer-focused and precision-driven.
“With this technology and platform, we are increasingly focused on preventative care and patients’ well-being, in providing access at their fingertips and the last mile”, she outlined.
L-R: Chief Financial Officer, Ernest Eguasa; Head Business Development, Nnenma Emenyonu; Chief Transformation Officer, Mr. Chidi Okoro; Head Retail Operations, Emmnauel Ogundiminiyi; and Elizabeth Enajeroh, Head Business Growth all of HealthPlus Pharmacy during the launch of HealthPlus ePharmacy website at their office in Lagos
