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Published on: Apr 04, 2020
3 minute read
By: Dr Rajan Choudhary

Developing A Vaccine For COVID-19? Part 1

It is often stated vaccination has made the greatest contribution to global health of any human discovery, other than clean water and sanitation, and their impact on everyday life is immediately evident. We have managed to completely eradicate two major infections from existence (smallpox and rinderpest) , and the WHO are working towards adding polio to that list.

In these cases the numbers speak for themselves. It is estimated that the eradication of smallpox in 1980 has saved 5 million lives per year, adding up to 150 to 200 million by 2018. Common vaccination programmes for polio, measles, mumps, rubella, rabies and hepatitis A have prevented nearly 200 million cases from occurring in the US alone over the past 50 years, and 4.5 billion instances of the diseases worldwide.

We have achieved a 99% immunisation rate against polio, preventing children from suffering crippling paralysis, and only 3 countries remain. Sadly, around 1.4 million children under 5 still die from preventable diseases each year as they do not have access to these life saving vaccines, but charities and public health organisations around the world are working hard to improve access.

So what are vaccines? And how will they help is in the face of the latest pandemic? Here we will go into the challenges behind making vaccines, and why a vaccine against COVID-19 is unlikely to be ready in the next few months, or even this year.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4024226/ contribution of vaccination

https://www.who.int/features/factfiles/polio/en/ polio eradication

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/03/170303163208.htm study article

WHAT IS A VACCINE

The human body’s immune system is incredibly smart. It is able to distinguish between infective organisms, such as bacteria, viruses and parasites, from our own body’s cells, target these invaders for destruction and keep our bodies healthy. Even better, the body remembers any previous infections it has had before, recognise these previous infections even quicker and even eradicate the disease before we know we are infected.

Vaccines target the immune system’s memory by presenting them with pieces of these infective diseases. The small amounts do not cause any infective symptoms, but if the person is infected later in life their body will mount a quicker response and prevent them from falling ill. These vaccines can contain broken up parts of the organisms, “dead” organisms or “live” versions that have been severely weakened so they cannot cause any harm.

In summary, medicines treat us when we get an infection. Vaccines make sure we never suffer from an infection in the first place.

https://www.chop.edu/centers-programs/vaccine-education-center/making-vaccines/how-are-vaccines-made Making Vaccines

THE HURDLES WE FACE IN RESEARCH

Making a vaccine is a difficult process, one that can take 3–5 years and cost hundreds of millions of dollars, sometimes billions of dollars. This is because there are many difficult steps to be taken in the process of creating a vaccine that is effective, but more importantly one that is safe.

To start with the troubling organism has to be identified. For COVID-19 it took a few weeks to recognise the virus responsible, and some time more to understand its genetic code and grow the virus in lab conditions. We then have to understand the virus, how it infects, how it causes symptoms, and how it has mutated compared to the coronaviruses responsible for SARS and MERS.

After this, we have to isolate parts of the virus our immune system will recognise. This is usually the outside coat of the virus. The DNA responsible for making these parts need to be found in the virus’ genetic code, and put inside other “skeleton” viruses. This will force the dummy virus to look like coronavirus, without the ability to infect and kill someone.

These dummy viruses can be injected into animals to see if it causes an immune reaction, whether the immune system recognises it as the coronavirus responsible for COVID-19, and whether it will protect the animal from the real COVID-19. Up to now the research has likely cost a few million dollars. The next step is when the price inflates up to billions.

If the vaccine appears safe in animals, it can be tested in humans. This can be dangerous at first, since we don’t know whether a vaccine that works in an animal will work in a human. And we don’t know if there will be any side effects to the vaccine. Human testing has to be very thorough, very careful, and safe for use. If you give too much of the virus it might make the person sick, too little and it wont immunise the person. These clinical trials can take years, and if the vaccine fails at this point its back to the drawing board, to try another step.

https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2014/10/how-to-make-an-ebola-vaccine-5-simplified-steps/454443/ ebola vaccine

Now we have a basic understanding of what vaccines are and why it takes so long to make a vaccine. In the next part we will look at why viral vaccines can cause even more problems, and how far we have come with the COVID-19 vaccine,

Dr Rajan Choudhary, London UK

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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

Authentic and verified medicines
Transparent pricing and secure payments
Direct connection with healthcare consultations
Support for chronic care medication
Nationwide delivery capability
User-friendly ordering process
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

Statista – India E-Pharmacy Market Outlook 2025
IMARC Group – Digital Healthcare Market India 2025
NITI Aayog – Digital Health Tech Landscape 2024
ABDM – Digital Prescription Guidelines
FICCI – Healthcare Innovation Report 2024

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