How are Tech Innovations Changing the Future of Online Pharmacy?
Flipkart Health Plus is an initiative in the online pharmacy industry with plans to diversify e-diagnostics and e-consultation. This comprehensive approach was a significant step in India's non-organised pharmaceutical industry.
Flipkart Pharmacy is planning tech innovations to deliver medicines faster than competitors, like testing drones for medicine deliveries. Moreover, they intend to target consumers in tier II and tier III cities.
This blog analyses how Flipkart’s entry into e-pharmacy changed the innovation landscape. These innovations range from optimized operations to personalized healthcare.
Flipkart Pharmacy Enters Digital Healthcare Industry
Flipkart started its healthcare business in 2021 and acquired major stakes in Sastasundar Healthbuddy Ltd. They entered India’s e-pharma market aiming to fill several gaps in the existing business models.
Most e-pharma consumers are from Tier 1 cities. Tier 2 and tier 3 cities are increasingly becoming the target market for online pharmaceutical services. These categories together hold excellent opportunities as they make up 63% of total orders in[1] e-commerce.
They also found gaps in the current e-pharma delivery durations. The average online pharma delivery worldwide in 2024 is 1.59 days.[2] Flipkart Health Plus wanted to speed up the delivery time in case of emergencies.
Flipkart Pharmacy and other brands in the e-pharma industry are looking to gain traction for their growth. Thus, they are leveraging the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics.
AI and Data-Driven Innovations in Online Pharma
PharmEasy, Netmeds, and Tata 1mg are using AI and machine learning in their business.
Netmeds' technical head, Suhas Pandit, claims that these integrations have helped them achieve operational efficiency and a better consumer experience. They have intelligent systems to identify and confirm prescriptions. Netmeds uses this information to auto-fill consumer data when needed.
Flipkart Pharmacy utilizes similar facilities and established technological tools from their parent company. Flipkart enables AI to extract customer behavior insights. They use it to optimize logistics, customer experience, price-setting, and identify fraud.
Here is a detailed discussion on business innovations driven by AI and data analytics after Flipkart’s entry into online pharmacy.
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Personalised Healthcare for Users
An increasing number of e-pharma brands are proposing personalized health plans to their users. It includes tailored plans encompassing checkups, doctor feedback, and medicine and supplement suggestions.
AI, machine learning, and data analytics integration have made these possible. E-pharmacies store electronic records and genetic information about users at the individual patient level.
After analyzing this, brands identify trends with the help of machine learning models. Experts use these trends to create personalized plans for their users.
Flipkart has used machine learning to add an interesting feature. The app shows alternative medicines of the same composition. It provides the buyer with the power of choice and flexibility.
Modern online pharmacies have implemented numerous innovations in their internal business environments, such as improvements in logistics.
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Improvements in Logistics
E-pharma companies can predict shipment needs with AI and machine learning. For example, experts from pharma industries were 93.5% accurate[3] in predicting vaccine requirements during Covid-19. They collected real-world data from various brands to make such close to accurate predictions.
Flipkart Medicine online uses this predictive analysis to prepare for mass disease breakouts. Understanding the requirements helps prepare the warehouse operations.
Moreover, AI and robotics in e-pharma's logistic chains ensure optimal storage conditions. AI robots manage cold storage and oversee inventory management. Companies can maintain proper stocks and avoid shortages. Also, they can reduce product wastage with accurate information on time.
Companies avoid stocking up on unwanted products by analysing and predicting demand. They can cut down on costs and increase their profit margins by doing so. AI and robotics can also improve delivery time for healthcare applications.
Flipkart medicine online is trying to make way for using drones in medicine deliveries. They have been experimenting beyond line-of-sight drone pilots. It is set to revolutionise the delivery landscape in the e-pharma industry.
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Advanced Supply Chain Management
Inventory operations and supply chains work in collaboration. Thus, there is an evident influence of AI on the supply chain as well. AI and machine learning in this segment optimise delivery routes.
AI and data analysis tools take in specific addresses from the data storage. They map these addresses to avoid vehicle routing problems. It also analyses data on traffic patterns, weather conditions, and delivery time. They help to optimise routes and decrease transportation costs.
Flipkart, as a parent company of Flipkart Health Plus, has used AI in a wider spectrum beyond operations. It includes HR processes, customer experience, and operational efficiency.
This resembles most of the brands in the Indian e-commerce landscape. E-pharmaceuticals rely on targeting the right audience to create a personalised experience.
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Enhancing Customer Experience
Flipkart and other brands use AI-powered strategies for advertising their online pharmacy products. It personalises advertisements and targets the right audience, utilising user demographics, preferences, and behaviour.
They analyse browsing history and buying patterns to create campaigns. These make way for focused campaigns that resonate with the audience. Compelling and relevant advertisements increase user engagement.
Besides, Flipkart churns consumer data for real-time requirements. They optimise advertisements based on new buyer patterns. Users enjoy this as they come across specific content and products they need.
Flipkart also uses AI-based language interfaces to break down the language barrier. They also use AI algorithms to create tailored product suggestions for their clients. These contribute to the improved consumer experience.
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Ensuring Regulatory Compliance
Flipkart pharmacy is an unsettled space with its regulatory standards. The Indian government does not recognise online pharmaceuticals, plus it is a non-organised brand in the Indian e-pharma industry.
Both organised and unorganised labels in the pharmaceutical industry must comply with regulatory liabilities. Document intelligence and AI have made some major improvements in this sector.
Document intelligence includes two machine learning subsets: Language Learning Models (LLM) and Natural Language Processing models (NLP). These help automate the organisation and analysis of large regulatory data sets.
This step improved compliance workflow and reduced errors in regulatory data. It also minimises the risk of non-compliance and increases precision levels.
Summing Up
Flipkart Health Plus studied the market gaps and devised a smart strategy.
Flipkart Pharmacy aims to penetrate tier 2 and tier 3 cities. They also want to improve the delivery time by implementing drones. Flipkart led a drone pilot operation to test its efficiency. These efforts made it stand ahead of its competitors in the e-pharma industry.
AI integration and data analysis are prevalent concepts in India's online healthcare. Flipkart’s efforts in tech innovations are backed by its parent company. They are leading the way for many existing and upcoming pharma labels.
These companies rely on data collection and analysis to frame agile operational strategies.
If you are new to India's e-pharma industry and need tools to manage and analyse large data, join GrowthJockey today. We assist you with strategies to automate marketing operations and conduct effective performance analysis.
FAQs
1. How can drones help in medicine delivery?
Drones are devices that can enable faster and safer product delivery. It can be used in case of critical medicine requirements or emergencies.
This can help deliver products like vaccines in difficult locations. Companies are collaborating to find the best application of drones in medicine delivery.
2. How can GrowthJockey help with establishing a new E-pharma company?
GrowthJockey is a compact offering for all digital solutions of modern organisations. You can consult GrowthJockey to analyse your consumer lifecycle as a new brand.
Once you understand the trends, you can use our market analysis tools. These tools help create tailored advertising to target the best audience. We also offer various other services for setting up an online pharmaceutical company.
3. Which medicine dealers are working with Flipkart Health Plus?
Flipkart has not revealed the names of the third-party sellers. Flipkart Health Plus is trying to maximise its audience's reach.
They want to reach more locations. They have tied up with 500 independent sellers for medicines and health products.
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