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Published on: Oct 28, 2020
2 minute read
By: Dr Rajan ( Medical Second Opinion Cell)

Hepatitis C Nobel Prize

Earlier this month the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine was jointly awarded to Harvey J Alter, Michael Houghton and Charles M Rice for the discovery of the Hepatitis C virus. This helped push our understanding of blood-borne hepatitis, a major global health problem that is one of the leading causes of cirrhosis and liver cancer alongside Hepatitis B. It led the way in introducing new tests for chronic hepatitis as well as new treatments that have saved the lives of millions.

HEPATITIS

Hepatitis is the inflammation of your liver, the largest solid organ in your body. Though there are numerous other causes of hepatitis, including alcohol abuse, drugs and toxins (including paracetamol overdose), and autoimmune disorders (such as Wilson’s disease), viral infections are the most common worldwide causes for hepatitis. Hepatitis A was the first to be discovered, transmitted by polluted food and water, and results in a short-term transient hepatitis. Hepatitis B on the other hand is transmitted through blood and is more of an issue as it can lead to chronic cirrhosis and possible liver cancer. It can remain indolent in a person, causing disease long after the initial infection.

Blood borne hepatitis was first discovered in the 1960s, when it was found that some patients would become ill after receiving blood transfusions. Despite this discovery and new tests for Hepatitis B reducing the number of transfusion related hepatitis, a large number of cases remained.

NOT A, NOT B

Harvey Alter, working at the US National Institute of Health, was studying the occurrence of hepatitis in blood transfusion patients. His team showed that blood from these infected patients could transmit the disease to chimpanzees, resulting in hepatitis. This agent had the properties of a virus, one that was “non-A, non B” hepatitis.

Further investigation into the virus would require the input of Michael Houghton, working for Chiron pharmaceutical. His team created a collection of DNA fragments found in the blood of infected chimpanzees. Though the majority of these fragments were from the chimpanzee, enough were from the virus. They were able to utilise this information to identify antibodies against the suspected virus, and ultimately identify it as the flavivirus Hepatitis C.

The final piece of the puzzle was shown by Charles M Rice, a researcher at Washington University, St Louis – could the virus alone cause hepatitis. He studied the RNA of Hepatitis C to identify regions that may be used for replication, and areas that might hinder replication. This was key as the virus can lay dormant for years, replicating at a slow rate before causing damage to the liver. For researchers, this was an issue as it was not feasible to wait years and see if the suspected virus caused hepatitis. By genetically engineering the viral genome, he developed a variant of Hepatitis C that would only multiple rapidly and have no mechanism to inactivate itself for dormancy. This strain caused rapid changes to the livers of infected chimpanzees; the same changes seen in hepatitis patients.

. ;.,hrvxzThe impact was significant. Prior to this, receiving a blood transfusion was like Russian Roulette. You were receiving life saving therapy, but it coZuld also be a hidden death sentence. Now that hepatitis had been discovered, it became possible to screen patients prior to donation, to screen blood transfusion bags, and to start developing treatments for the virus.

The fight is not over yet. There are still over 70 million people who still live with the virus, and it still kills around 400,000 a year. Its only very recently that we have found treatments that can reduce the viral load in patients to levels that they are considered cured. This treatment remains expensive, and we are very far away from eradication itself.

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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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