Summary

South Africa has a growing population with increasing healthcare needs. The demand for medicines and healthcare products is on the rise, and e-pharmacy provides a convenient platform to meet these needs. Furthermore, Rapid urbanization and busy lifestyles have led to time constraints for many individuals. E-pharmacy offers a solution by providing 24/7 availability, doorstep delivery, and easy online ordering, catering to the needs of busy urban populations. In addition, The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of e-pharmacy globally, including in South Africa. Lockdowns and social distancing measures have restricted people's movement and limited access to physical pharmacies, leading to a surge in online orders for medicines and healthcare products. South Africa has a diverse geography, with many remote and underserved areas. E-pharmacy bridges the gap by providing access to medicines and healthcare products to people living in these regions. It eliminates the need for long travel distances to physical pharmacies, ensuring that essential healthcare services are available to all, irrespective of their location. E-pharmacy platforms in South Africa often have a wider range of medicines and healthcare products compared to traditional pharmacies. They can maintain larger inventories due to not being limited by physical shelf space. This means that consumers have a higher chance of finding the medications they need in stock, reducing the likelihood of out-of-stock situations. Some e-pharmacy platforms in South Africa offer digital prescription management services. Users can upload their prescriptions and have them securely stored on the platform. This allows for easy reordering of medications and helps individuals keep track of their prescription history and refills.

According to the research report "South Africa E-Pharmacy Market Overview, 2028," published by Bonafide Research, the South Africa e-pharmacy market is projected to add more than USD 1.24 Billion from 2023 to 2028. Established brick-and-mortar pharmacies and pharmacy chains are recognizing the potential of e-pharmacy and expanding their services to the online platform. They are investing in digital infrastructure, developing online ordering systems, and establishing partnerships with logistics providers to offer doorstep delivery of medications. These pharmacies leverage their existing expertise and customer base to transition into the e-pharmacy space. Furthermore, Pharmaceutical manufacturers play a crucial role in the e-pharmacy market. They work closely with pharmacies and e-pharmacy platforms to ensure the availability of their products online. By collaborating with e-pharmacy providers, pharmaceutical manufacturers can reach a wider customer base and increase their market share. Regulatory bodies in South Africa, such as the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA), are actively involved in shaping the e-pharmacy market. They provide guidelines and regulations to ensure patient safety, data protection, and the quality of medications sold online. By establishing a robust regulatory framework, these bodies are fostering trust and confidence in e-pharmacy services.

South Africa has experienced rapid urbanization, with a significant proportion of the population residing in urban areas. Urban dwellers often have busy lifestyles, making it challenging to visit physical pharmacies during regular operating hours. E-pharmacy provides a solution by allowing them to order medicines online at their convenience and have them delivered to their doorstep. The urban population's demand for convenience and time-saving options contributes to the growth of e-pharmacy. The increasing internet penetration in South Africa has significantly contributed to the growth of e-pharmacy. As more people gain access to the internet, they become familiar with online shopping and are more inclined to use e-pharmacy platforms. The ease of ordering medications online appeals to a digitally connected population, further driving the demand for e-pharmacy services. South Africa, like many other countries, has an ageing population. Elderly individuals often have specific healthcare needs and may require regular medications. E-pharmacy provides a convenient solution for older adults who may face mobility challenges or difficulty visiting physical pharmacies. They can easily order their medications online, ensuring continuity of care.

According to the report, the market is segmented into drug type, prescription drug and Over-the-counter drug. The Prescription drug are gaining popularity in E-Pharmacy market of South Africa and expected to grow significantly in the upcoming future as well. Requiring a prescription for certain medications helps ensure patient safety by preventing self-diagnosis and self-medication. Prescription medications are often more potent and have a higher risk of adverse effects if used inappropriately. Requiring a prescription helps ensure that patients receive appropriate medications based on their specific needs and medical conditions. Some medications, such as certain painkillers, sedatives, or medications with abuse potential, fall under controlled substances. These medications have stricter regulations and are often more closely monitored due to the potential for misuse or addiction. Requiring prescriptions helps regulate the distribution and use of these controlled substances. E-pharmacy platforms operating in South Africa must comply with legal and liability considerations. Requiring prescriptions for certain medications helps e-pharmacies adhere to these regulations, mitigating potential legal and liability risks associated with dispensing prescription medications without proper oversight.

Considered in this report
• Geography: South Africa
• Historic year: 2017
• Base year: 2022
• Estimated year: 2023
• Forecast year: 2028

Aspects covered in this report
• South Africa E-Pharmacy market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Product Type
• Skin Care (Skin diseases & skin injuries)
• Allergy & food intolerance, Stomach, Intestines & Digestion
• Diabetes Care
• Heart care, circulation & veins, BP, cholstrol
• Orthopedic (muscles, bones, joints)
• Urology (Bladder, Kidney & Prostate)
• Animal pharmacy
• Naturopathy
• ENT (Eyes, ears, Tooth & Mouth)
• Cold flu
• vitamins & minerals
• Cosmetics
• Painkiller
• Others (gynec, Calm down, sleep & stress, sexuality, Lose weight, Diet & Lifestyle, Self-tests & everyday aids, smoking cessation)

By Delivery Type
• Prescription drug
• Over-the-counter drug

The approach of the report:
This report consists of a combined approach of primary as well as secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and list out the companies that are present in the market. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, and annual reports of companies, analyzing the government-generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources primary research was conducted by making telephonic interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducting trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this we have started doing primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting consumers into regional aspects, tier aspects, age groups, and gender. Once we have primary data with us we started verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.

Intended audience
This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations & organizations related to the E-Pharmacy industry, government bodies, and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing & presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.

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