Arushi Jain, Co-founder, StayHappi Pharmacy, 25, elucidates to Brainfeed Higher Education Plus the reason how with smaller interventions from various sources we can build an affordable healthcare ecosystem for all
Q. What encouraged you to explore this sector?
Education and healthcare are the two sectors that are most significant pillars of the genuine growth of any country. I have been always moved by the pecuniary condition of most citizens in the country, where as large section of people cannot afford a decent healthcare treatment. More so in my earlier days, I have seen that people skip medicines because of high expenses that it entails, which in turn delays the healing process. All these have triggered me to think seriously if I can do anything for them and work towards providing a true high quality medicine at affordable price to people at large. Hence, I started working in this sector.
Q. What challenges did you face in implementation of the enterprise?
Indian market is completely brand centric, clinicians write brand names and this has been the practice since ages. To change buying pattern and behaviour of consumer, along with, convincing the prospective retailers to buy in the concept of generic medicine, is a huge challenge. We know that any first mover of which ever industry it may be, faces challenges, but truly that’s the zeal that we have and that’s the grit that we hold. And in spite of all these challenges we are establishing ourselves pan-India at a very fast pace with an aim to bring a change in the industry, simultaneously transforming the way people would buy and consume medicines in years ahead.
The healthcare industry in India is expected to grow exponentially and reach about $370 billion US Dollars by 2022 owing to heavy incidence of lifestyle ailments in the country, however, to change buying pattern and behaviour of consumer, along with, convincing the prospective retailers to buy in the concept of generic medicine, is a huge challenge.
We are clocking on an average of one store of affordable medicine every 48 Hours in the country.
Q. Is expansion on the cards?
Surely expansion is on the cards and happening at a fast pace, we are clocking on an average of one store every 48 hours in the country. Till now we have signed up 154 retail generic stores on the franchise model in the last 270 days and have 302 stores been signed to be operational very soon
Q. What is the scope of jobs in the healthcare sector in tier 2 and 3 cities?
The healthcare industry in India is expected to grow exponentially and reach about $370 billion US Dollars by 2022 owing to heavy incidence of lifestyle ailments in the country, and flourishing of jobs have already started showing in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities and towns. The following below would be the key opportunities:
– Virtual Hospital Manager:
Cost of doctors is very high in the cities and that is where the VHM will play a crucial role. We have already seen the rise of virtual hospitals globally. In India, we have talented doctors, nurses, radiographers etc. who can support the VHM’s for Indian cities
– Health Call Center:
Getting optimum cost resource is becoming challenging in today’s world. We have seen already this growing in Mysore, Coimbatore, Chandigarh, Coimbatore, in many more Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities
– Radiology and Telemedicine:
This is one field which we have already seen growing exponentially in Tier 2 and 3 cities, where our Indian radiographers and doctors are providing even Artificial ICU globally.