Sub Challenge 1

How might we enable pharmacies to provide the most affordable and effective drugs to NCD patients in a world where effectiveness is hard to determine and where people doubt the quality of generics?

Target Market

The target market for this challenge are enthusiastic pharmacists within the age range of 25-35. They have been working in the industry for 3 or more years. They have no control of sourcing drugs but play key a role in the stocking of drugs. They love what they do and spend a lot of time explaining drugs to clients.

Agnes Agyei

Age:25
Location:Accra, Ghana
Status:Single
Job:Pharmacist

Bio

Agnes just started working as a pharmacist and is really passionate about providing post diagnosis care for patients. She likes talking to customers about their challenges and likes making recommendations to them.

Quotes

There are many generics that are dirt cheap

I think doctors will be surprised to see how people take the meds they prescribe. I mean this guy only takes his meds on Tuesdays because he says Mondays are stressful and the meds are expensive

Wants & Needs

  • Wants the time to do more follow-ups with her clients
  • Wants an easier way to update herself on new medications

Frustrations

  • Wishes people will respect the medical capabilities of pharmacists
  • The lack of affordable version of drugs can limit her ability to fully service some of her clients.

Quotes from Respondents

From interviews about sourcing drugs

Regional medical centres provide majority of the stores.

The best bidder wins. The medical store stocks the drugs from the suppliers and the pharmacist requests for the drug when they need them.

From interviews about pricing of drugs

Pharmacy Council comes to an agreement. There is a 30% cap you can’t exceed.

The pricing is based on supply chain cost and the discretion of the pharmacist.

There is a regulatory body however sometimes these bodies don’t do the checks.

From interviews about the effectiveness of drugs

The major thing is drug compliance. Getting people to comply with the dosage.

People confuse effectiveness with potency

FDA is responsible for determining the effectiveness and RMXs supply certain medication from certain pharmacies through the framework policy

From interviews about generic drugs and how to handle doubt

The brand will differ but the active ingredient is the same.

Listen to why they have doubts.

Main reason for doubt is the pricing

Give the client confidence and suggest to them options.

Unmet Need

From the primary research conducted, the following findings were identified.

  1. Building trust between the pharmacist and the customer
  2. Motivation for the customers to take their drugs
  3. Access: a process/system that allows them to provide cheaper and effective drugs
  4. Knowledge: What is effective?

Market Demand

The market demand for the solution determined by pharamcies interests in technology.

Evidence from existing mHealth companies and pharmacist expressions of interest during the data collection indicate a strong market demand for solutions targeting this sub-challenge.

mPharma has Vendor Management Inventory (VMI) system is already being used in over 250 pharmacies in Ghana, Nigeria, Zambia and Zimbabwe

Pharmacies stocking/distributing generics.

Pharmacies interested in on-site clinics.

Market Constraints

Key Behavioral or Market constraints and challenges identified.

Pharmacists expressed challenges they face when providing affordable and effective drugs to NCD Patients:

Cost of drugs

Confidence in the pharmacist/drugs

Lack of motivation to take the drug

Perception about generic drugs

Resources

Research data and other useful materials related to this challenge.