• Published on: May 02, 2020
  • 1 minute read
  • By: Dr Vibhash Mishra

Corona, Cricket And Telemedicine

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Corona, cricket and telemedicine

As schoolboys, gossiping about cricket and cinema was our favorite pastime. Decades later when even our children are not school kids anymore, I must confess the nature of our pastime has not become any more serious. The COVID-19 lockdown has inadvertently provided a large chunk of humanity with a rare luxury. Otherwise who has the time in today’s world to stop and stay at home to catch a breath? So catching a breath is what one does these days. Call it reflection and introspection, if you will. 

R Ashwin is considered something of an intellectual in the sport of cricket. The other day I happened to come across an interview in which he says we take sport too seriously. That is the large scheme of things, there are other far more important matters. That sports should be seen in a wider perspective and given a place that is not out of proportion. 

That took me back by several years. To 1980 to be precise when India and England were playing the golden jubilee test. Bob Taylor was given out by the umpire but the Indian captain Gundappa Viswanath thought otherwise and insisted that he was recalled. The rest, as they say, is history. Now Viswanath himself was not an also-ran by any means. Not quite an intellectual like Ashwin, but a batting genius all the same and a giant of a human being. 

We can debate the relative value of intellectuals and good human beings to society but that is not the point of my musing, although, I do believe that the world needs several-fold more good human beings than intellectuals. 

Back to the point, I was closing in on. 
There were curses and kudos for Viswanath. In the midst of all that, the legendary commentator Jasdev Singh made a very poignant remark - Viswanath gave away the game but kept alive the spirit to promote which sporting events are organized in the first place. Now, what is this spirit that Jasdev was referring to? Fairness? Justice? Healthy competition? Honesty? Integrity? But then, are those, not the values the world should be guided by anyway? Would the world not do well to adopt those values in wider life? Would you still say we take sports too seriously? Just reflecting.

Meanwhile, you all stay in and be safe, the principles of which are well-known by now - social distancing and hand hygiene. And don’t ignore your other health issues. It may be months before normalcy is restored. Your medical condition can get worse in the interim. You may think I am encouraging you to visit a hospital and risk being turned down for lack of capacity or catching an infection. I am not. I am asking you to think of an alternative way of seeking medical help. Have you considered telemedicine? Online consultation with a specialist anywhere in the world? Have you heard of www.secondmedic.com? That’s where we are.

Dr. Vibhash Mishra
Chief Medical Officer Second Medic Inc

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Digital Pharmacy Platforms India: How SecondMedic Is Transforming Medicine Access Through Technology

Digital Pharmacy Platforms India: How SecondMedic Is Transforming Medicine Access Through Technology

India’s healthcare system is rapidly digitizing, and one of the most impactful innovations is the rise of digital pharmacy platforms. These platforms make it easier for people to order medicines online, manage prescriptions, and access healthcare services without visiting a physical store.

As chronic diseases, online consultations, and digital health records become more common, digital pharmacy solutions are now a vital part of India's healthcare infrastructure. SecondMedic plays a key role in this evolution by providing secure, fast, and integrated digital pharmacy services.

What Are Digital Pharmacy Platforms?

Digital pharmacy platforms are online systems that allow users to:

  • Order prescription medicines

  • Upload or sync digital prescriptions

  • Schedule refills

  • Purchase OTC products

  • Track orders

  • Access pharmacist support
     

Instead of visiting a traditional pharmacy, users can manage medication needs from anywhere in India.

Why Digital Pharmacies Matter in India

India sees high demand for medicines due to:

  • Rising chronic diseases

  • Aging population

  • Urban mobility challenges

  • Increasing telemedicine adoption

  • Growing digital health awareness
     

Digital pharmacies bridge the gap between medical consultation and medication access.

Key Benefits of Digital Pharmacy Platforms

1. Convenience and Accessibility

Patients can order medicines anytime, especially helpful for elderly individuals or those living in remote areas.

2. Time and Cost Savings

Digital ordering eliminates long queues, multiple store visits, and pricing uncertainties.

3. Verified, Authentic Medicines

Reputed platforms ensure drugs come from licensed pharmacies with full batch traceability.

4. E-Prescription Integration

Digital prescriptions reduce manual errors and support seamless ordering.

5. Chronic Disease Medication Management

Automated refill reminders and scheduled deliveries help maintain treatment consistency.

6. Privacy and Discretion

Useful for sensitive medication categories where users may prefer confidential ordering.

The Growing Digital Pharmacy Market in India

According to Statista 2025:

  • The Indian e-pharmacy market is expected to reach USD 10 billion by 2027.

  • Nearly 35 percent of urban households now use digital pharmacy services.

  • Chronic disease patients are the largest user segment.
     

Government initiatives like ABDM also promote secure and standardized digital prescriptions.

SecondMedic’s Digital Pharmacy Ecosystem

SecondMedic integrates pharmacy services seamlessly within its broader digital health platform.

1. Online Medicine Ordering

Users can order medicines directly through the SecondMedic app or website.

2. E-Prescription Sync

Prescriptions from SecondMedic doctors sync automatically, reducing errors and delays.

3. Verified Inventory

All medicines are sourced from certified pharmacies with temperature-controlled storage and valid expiry cycles.

4. Chronic Care Refill System

For diabetes, hypertension, thyroid disorders, and cardiac conditions, patients can schedule monthly refills.

5. Real-Time Tracking

Users get live updates on order status, dispatch, and delivery.

6. Secure Payment Gateway

Digital payments are supported through encrypted channels, ensuring safety and transparency.

7. Integration with Medical Consultations

After virtual consultations, prescribed medicines can be ordered instantly on the same platform.

How Digital Pharmacy Platforms Support Telemedicine

Telemedicine has become a cornerstone of modern healthcare. Digital pharmacies complement this by:

  • Enabling immediate access to prescribed medicines

  • Ensuring continuity of care

  • Reducing patient dependency on physical pharmacies

  • Streamlining doctor-to-pharmacy communication
     

Together, they create an efficient, patient-centered care loop.

Challenges in India’s Pharmacy System and How Digital Platforms Solve Them

1. Fragmented Pharmaceutical Distribution

Digital systems bring transparency and accountability.

2. Prescription Mismanagement

E-prescriptions minimize errors and duplication.

3. Limited Accessibility in Rural Areas

Digital ordering delivers medicines directly to underserved regions.

4. Inconsistent Medicine Availability

Real-time inventory ensures availability and alternatives.

5. Lack of Patient Awareness

Digital platforms offer information on dosage, interactions, and side effects.

Regulatory Framework for Digital Pharmacies in India

To ensure safety and compliance, digital pharmacies follow:

  • Drugs and Cosmetics Act (1940)

  • Pharmacy Practice Regulations

  • ABDM standards for digital prescriptions

  • DPDP Act for data security

  • CDSCO guidelines for online pharmacies
     

SecondMedic maintains full compliance with regulatory requirements.

Future of Digital Pharmacy in India

The sector is expected to grow due to:

  • AI-based medicine recommendations

  • Smart refill systems

  • Blockchain for supply chain verification

  • Automated pharmacy logistics

  • Drone-based delivery pilots in some states
     

SecondMedic is actively building tools to support next-generation pharmacy automation and integrated digital care.

Why Patients Trust SecondMedic’s Pharmacy System

  1. Authentic and verified medicines

  2. Transparent pricing and secure payments

  3. Direct connection with healthcare consultations

  4. Support for chronic care medication

  5. Nationwide delivery capability

  6. User-friendly ordering process

  7. Compliance with all digital health safety standards
     

SecondMedic brings reliability, convenience, and safety under one unified digital healthcare platform.

Conclusion

Digital pharmacy platforms are redefining how India accesses medicines. They improve convenience, enhance safety, support telemedicine, and empower patients to manage chronic conditions more effectively. SecondMedic’s digital pharmacy provides an integrated solution that combines e-prescriptions, secure ordering, and nationwide delivery to simplify healthcare access.

To order medicines or explore digital pharmacy services, visit www.secondmedic.com

References

  1. Statista – India E-Pharmacy Market Outlook 2025

  2. IMARC Group – Digital Healthcare Market India 2025

  3. NITI Aayog – Digital Health Tech Landscape 2024

  4. ABDM – Digital Prescription Guidelines

  5. FICCI – Healthcare Innovation Report 2024

See all

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