Jeevee<\/a>, OnlineAusadi, 24Seven among others. Interestingly, ePharmacy differentiates itself with a unique X-Factor.<\/p>\n\u201cWe try to give customers a complete package, offering our services across multiple platforms. Moreover, we aspire to do more. With that in mind, our app also features two unique x-factors.<\/p>\nePharmacy App Unique Features<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nFirstly, we have a Family Wellness feature.<\/strong> It allows customers to upload their reports directly to the app. Plus, the app allows customers to upload multiple reports of their family members.<\/p><\/blockquote>\nSecondly, customers can easily order medicine in a set.<\/strong> So, if a customer wants to buy medicine for their father and mother, they can easily create a separate package for both of them. The \u201cReminder\u201d feature will help customers replenish their stock in a timely fashion.\u201d, Mr. Rajbhandari mentions.<\/p>\nTrials and Tribulations<\/h3>\n Every startup goes through their struggles, their capacity to overcome those hurdles defines their ability to sustain that business. ePharmacy did have its fair share of struggles which is normal for a startup. However, Mr. Rajbhandari has a different take on that.<\/p>\n
\u201cMost do not know about the possibility and extent of technology. During our trial period, we realized that there is still a gap in technological knowledge among the majority of customers. While few don\u2019t even realize that medicine can be ordered online, most prefer ordering via phone call.<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\nAlthough, it is expected since our customer base belongs to the 45-50+ age group. Rather than going with the hassle of visiting the website, creating an account, then ordering, they prefer to call, put in the order, and be done with it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr. Rajbhandari says that people leave it up to ePharmacy to order for them. While it does sound ridiculous, it highlights one of the major hurdles of the Nepali tech evolution. Consumers always prefer the traditional method, putting little to no faith in new tech.<\/p>\n
Effects of Lockdown<\/h3>\n The global pandemic highlighted the necessity behind adapting to new technology. With numerous lockdowns and potential health hazards, people saw the safety and reliability behind ordering online. Most people came to realize that it was more than just a fad, it has now become an integral part of our life.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor better or worse, the COVID-19 pandemic showed the importance of using technology. It forced many to explore the possibility of new technology. We saw many customers change from \u2018I don\u2019t want to learn\u2019 mentality to \u2018I want to learn\u2019. It was a sharp contrast to things before the lockdown.<\/p>\n
During this time, people put more faith in purchasing via the website than phone calls. The burst of popularity wasn\u2019t just limited to the ePharmacy website. We launched our app, on both Android and iOS platforms, at the height of the lockdown. At that time, we saw about 1500-2000 downloads without any active promotions. And our customer base doubled by 100%. We realized that mobile penetration is increasing.\u201d<\/strong>, Mr. Rajbhandari explains.<\/p><\/blockquote>\nThe lockdown highlighted mobile platforms as the next big step with huge traction potential.<\/p>\n
Delivery Locations<\/h3>\n ePharmacy offers free delivery without any minimum order limit. The current service location is focused inside Kathmandu Valley province.<\/p>\nePharmacy Delivery<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\u201cIf a customer orders even Rs. 10 worth of medicine, we deliver it without any extra charge. Right now, we offer our delivery service anywhere inside Ring Road. We also deliver 2km-3km outside Ring Road but at a little extra charge based on the location.\u201d, <\/strong>says Mr. Rajbhandari.<\/p><\/blockquote>\nHowever, the unforgiving circumstances of the lockdown have allowed the ePharmacy team to test their delivery services outside Bagmati province.<\/p>\n
\u201cDuring the height of lockdown, we had received an order to deliver medicine to Pokhara. The customer claimed that the ordered medicine wasn\u2019t available there. Despite limited transportation, we wanted to help. At the time, we delivered via courier, which added to our experience delivering outside our comfort zone.\u201d<\/p>\n
Future of ePharmacy<\/h3>\n Mr. Rajbhandari claims that the situation allowed the team to achieve 50% of their goals in just 2 years. However, the end of the lockdown has brought on new challenges.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had about 30-40% order cancellation due to stock problems during the lockdown. So, the reopening of the business means we have to deal with less cancellation. At the same time, our sales are down when compared to the lockdown days. But we are seeing an increase in recurring customers.<\/p>\n
However, we are happy that we got the opportunity to learn and promote the online-platform. The entire thing has been confidence-inspiring.\u201d Mr. Rajbhandari continues.<\/p>\n
\u201cePharmacy is a new concept. However, it might take some time before it becomes a proven concept. How will ePharmacy evolve in the future? Well, we are still in the struggling phase, but we have already achieved most of our goals. While the future is uncertain, we hope that better days are yet to come.\u201d<\/p>\n
READ NEXT:<\/span> JEEVEE, Nepali Online Medicine Delivery Platform Marches Forward with a Leap of Faith Amid Lockdown<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Before the three-month lockdown, things were somewhat normal. Most didn\u2019t care about the online fad, and almost all of them preferred in-person shopping above anything else. Then, the lockdown inevitably happened, and normal went out of the window. Despite the unforgiving circumstances, it became a breeding ground for accepting new ideas. Digital Payment platforms soared,…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1033,"featured_media":59360,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[145,1601],"yoast_head":"\n
ePharmacy: The Story Behind Nepal\u2019s Next Digital Healthcare Solution<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n