04 September 2008

Online Pharmacy in India: The Virgin Territory

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The advent of internet technologies has been open wide scope and possibilities for new business model. The Online marketer must think innovatively and apply the basic knowledge of marketing for this fast and furious media. The Indian Pharmaceutical industry driven by generic product, the world looks towards India as a generic drug manufacturing hub. The Indian biotech industry is in early growth stage. The online pharmacy is no more wonder for Indian consumer. The Internet is an increasingly important channel for the efficient and effective Distribution of Prescription drugs.

India has a huge population in excess of one billion people. At current growth rates, it will reach around 1.2 billion by 2010, of whom around 58 million will be aged 65 years and over. As the country develops, India has a growing middle class population with access to high quality healthcare in some of the best private healthcare facilities in the world. Leading private healthcare providers are also striving to make India an international health resort, with an airport to airport concept of health tourism.
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The recent regulatory and much awaited patent law changes have lead the Indian Pharmaceutical Industry towards exploring newer avenues of drug development, thus, promising higher capital investment in the pharmaceutical industry in the near future. The Indian Pharmaceutical Research is backed by strong Government support and availability of surplus skilled technical workers at lower costs.
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At a growth rate of 9 per cent per year, the pharmaceutical industry in India is well set for rapid expansion. As a result of the expansion, the Indian pharmaceutical and healthcare market is undergoing a spurt of growth in its coverage, services, and spending in the public and private sectors. The healthcare market has opened a window of opportunities in the medical device field and has boosted clinical trials in India.
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The sales and distribution channel get benefited due to online pharmacy, even the Mfg get benefited through direct brand engagement and brand equity. The consumer benefited through various way like low price drugs, info discretion, and low led time, reliable and confidential service. The third party involvement in this process is restricted or we say their interfere is kept as minimum as possible. Up to half of all face-to-face encounters with patients are considered unnecessary for a detailed diagnosis, and research has shown that people are likely to be more honest with an online consultation than during a face-to-face visit, particularly when the discussions might concern sensitive topics.
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Online pharmacies describe the companies that allow consumers to order medicine, prescription and/or over-the-counter, through the Internet. The impact of online pharmacies on the pharmaceutical industry will grow as the online pharmacy market expands and constitutes a larger portion of overall drug sales.
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