An interview with Nikhil Kashyap, co-founder of 1Pharmacy, one of India’s fastest-growing mobile-first supply chain management platforms
In this exclusive interview, we sit down with Nikhil Kashyap, the visionary co-founder of 1Pharmacy, a trailblazer in India’s rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.
As one of the fastest-growing mobile-first supply chain management platforms, 1Pharmacy is redefining efficiency in pharmaceutical distribution. Nikhil shares his insights on navigating the challenges of a dynamic industry and his vision for the future of healthcare technology.
Can you share the story behind the founding of 1Pharmacy and what inspired you to create a mobile-first supply chain management platform?
Nikhil Kashyap: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the public became acutely aware of the lack of accessibility to essential medicines.
While this issue was primarily attributed to the absence of real-time inventory visibility for end consumers, our deeper analysis revealed a more significant problem: the fragmented and disconnected nature of the pharmaceutical supply chain. There was, and still is, a considerable information gap among the stakeholders within this chain.
This realization led to the creation of 1Pharmacy, where we initially experimented and then focused on developing multiple mobile-first products tailored to different stakeholders in the supply chain, such as retailers, distributors, and manufacturers.
Our platform’s low capital expenditure requirements, combined with superior workflows, have ensured strong user engagement and adoption of our products.
How does 1Pharmacy differentiate itself from other supply chain management platforms in the market?
Nikhil Kashyap: 1Pharmacy stands out by addressing the issue of information arbitrage across the supply chain with a ground-up approach. We focus on building robust software solutions that digitize the operations of each stakeholder while maintaining a strong network.
Our emphasis on being integration-first, mobile-first, and industry-first are the primary factors that set us apart from the competition.
What role does mobile technology play in your platform, and how does it enhance user experience and operational efficiency?
Nikhil Kashyap: Despite the push towards Digital India, digital literacy remains a challenge. A mobile-first approach facilitates frictionless adoption and ensures that less-skilled resources can still perform tasks efficiently.
Additionally, the low capital investment required to digitize operations leads to a quick turnaround in software adoption, further enhancing operational efficiency.
What trends are you seeing in the supply chain management space, particularly in the healthcare sector?
Nikhil Kashyap: The healthcare sector faces diminishing margins due to market commoditization and the complexity of the supply chain. There is a pressing need for frugal automation to reduce operational expenses and drive profitability.
At 1Pharmacy, we are constantly innovating and collaborating with automation partners through our integration-first approach to bridge this gap. The increasing use of robotics and drones signifies a broader shift toward autonomous operations, especially within the healthcare industry.
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs looking to enter the supply chain management or healthcare tech space?
Nikhil Kashyap: Primarily, that this is not a winner-takes-all market. There is immense potential for innovation in this sector. We are only beginning to explore the possibilities, and the introduction of more tech-forward solutions will be beneficial for the entire industry.
Nikhil Kashyap’s innovative approach at 1Pharmacy underscores the transformative power of technology in healthcare. His passion and strategic foresight not only propel the company forward but also set new benchmarks for the industry.
As 1Pharmacy continues to expand, Nikhil’s leadership promises to drive significant advancements, making healthcare more accessible and efficient across India.
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