Rwanda has made tremendous steps towards digital health. The pharmaceutical sector under Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) 2019’s article 9, put out regulations governing online pharmacy practice, and since then, the country has allowed operations of online pharmacies.

Quite a number of pharmacies have so far been licensed to operate online, some of them including Kasha, and Afia Pharma, among others.

Afia Pharma started last year with the aim of making prescribed medications available at an affordable price to Rwandans.

For online pharmacy, one can order both prescribed and non-prescribed medications.

According to Papy Biganza, the founder of Afia Pharma, the platform provides pharmacy services similar to the existing community pharmacy, but an online pharmacist communicates with patients/clients via phone call/text messages and email as well.

Online pharmacy and the pandemic

Dr Flandrie Habyarimana, the head pharmacist/Trust Pharmalab Ltd at Commonwealth Pharmacists Association (CPA), says during lockdown where unnecessary movement is not allowed, and even in this period where the globe is fighting the pandemic, such digital health initiatives are of big benefits.

He says it’s not only to satisfy the patients’ needs, but also help prevent the spread of the virus.

Habyarimana, who is also the president of Rwanda Community Pharmacists Union (RCPU), says when people are at home, chances of transmitting the virus are minimalised. Also, some stay put out of fear of the virus and the law. 

"However, when they become sick, due to lack of transport, they use leftover medicines, which is not advisable. When an online pharmacy is there, it can be easy for them to access the medicine without making movements,” he says.

Benefits

Currently, anyone looking to buy medicine can do so without actually going to the pharmacy.

Biganza says some online pharmacies make home deliveries and others guide you on where to find your medicines from their partners or agents.

Amon Nsengimana, a chief pharmacist at Afia Pharma, says that the great thing with online pharmacy is that they aim at breaking chains of people with chronic diseases, who may find it hard to regularly acquire medication from one pharmacy to another.

Also, he says, it eases the process for those in rural parts of the country who travel long distances to Kigali to look for medications that they don’t get from their nearest pharmacies.

"We want to help patients/clients living with chronic diseases get medications delivered to them. These people are our concern because on a monthly basis, they need to refill their prescriptions and most of them are old and find it hard to move from one pharmacy to another to get their prescriptions refilled,” he says.

According to Nsengimana, people with tight schedules can make use of online pharmacy as well.

Risks

Charles Nkuranga, an epidemiologist, says if not careful, when people are purchasing medicine online, there is ‘freedom’ that can lead to the misuse of medicines.

He explains that for consumers, the idea of dealing with an online pharmacy is appealing for several reasons.

For instance, he says, lower cost and convenience for elderly people or those living in rural areas, as well as the ability to privately consult with a pharmacist are just a few of the benefits.

But in addition to these advantages, he says there are still substantial risks which include easy access to unapproved drugs, medication offered without a prescription, among others.

He points out that since this is something that is trying to gain momentum, there is need for the licensed online pharmacies to be vigilant.

"Also, consumers shouldn’t misuse this freedom and put their health in danger, inquiring more about the medication you are buying is vital,” he says.

To help curb this issue, Habyarimana says in partnership with different media like television and radio, they are trying to educate people on the rational use of medicine.

He notes that it’s good to understand that buying medicine online is one thing, and getting information on your medicine is another thing.

"It essential for everyone who purchases medicine online to inquire from their suppliers (online licensed pharmacies) more information about your medicine and anything that you are not sure of,” he says.

Habyarimana adds that this is very important because medicines are chemicals; therefore, it’s vital that before taking them, be sure if it is the right medicine, right time and right dose. 

He also warns against the idea of people buying medicine online and taking them without consulting qualified health professionals.