PharmaGo
PharmaGo offers same-day and next-day deliveries of chronic and over-the-counter medication ordered from one’s phone
It passes on uploads of customers’ prescriptions via the app, directly to a Pharmacy Panel, which is accessible only to the pharmacist fulfilling the prescription. This process ensures both information security and discretion. This direct-to-pharmacy prescription upload process is specifically for PharmaGo, and payments for the products are processed via credit or debit card, and direct medical aid submission.
PharmaGo’s partnerships include 73 pharmacies, with free deliveries available within a radius of 20-50km. A nationwide facility enables deliveries to sites outside of the network’s reach, with those deliveries available in about two days. Delivery drivers are deployed to pharmacies by PharmaGo, so each delivery is facilitated by a dedicated service.
Platform: Android and iOS
Expect to pay: A free download
Stockists: Download the app from the Google Play Store here and the Apple App Store here.
Go to the next page to read about HealthCheck for TB, machine learning assisted home rental, a car subscription marketplace, and a new app-based delivery service.
TB HealthCheck
The recently launched TB HealthCheck by the National Department of Health (NDoH) allows individuals to screen for TB risk and symptoms to help reduce transmission.
The WhatsApp and USSD-based service was launched by Dr Zweli Mkhize, Minister of Health, in February along, with the results of South Africa’s first TB Prevalence Survey. It also came ahead of World TB Day on March 24. This marks the date in 1882 when Dr Robert Koch announced his discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacillus that causes tuberculosis.
South Africa’s first TB Prevalence Survey estimated that there were 390,000 people with TB nationally; almost 40% of these individuals are either not diagnosed or treated.
TB HealthCheck is designed to make self-screening easy, while also identifying individuals who need to get tested. It refers to those who require a test to public health facilities for a free TB test. The system is integrated into HealthCheck, the Department’s Covid-19 digital self-assessment tool.
Currently, TB HealthCheck is available in English and more languages will be added over time.
The TB HealthCheck is based on the Covid-19 HealthCheck which the NDoH claims is used by nearly two million South Africans to self-assess their Covid-19 risk. The risk profile of the TB HealthCheck user is matched with follow-up messages that will prompt them to either take a test, confirm their test result or screen regularly.
Platform: Most smartphones running WhatsApp or cellular phones able to use USSD services.
Expect to pay: A free service
Stockists: On WhatsApp, South Africans can access the service by saving the NDOH number, +27 60 123456, to their contacts, and then messaging the word ‘TB’ to do their TB HealthCheck.
Those wanting to use USSD need to dial 134832*5#
Go to the next page to read about machine learning assisted home rental, a car subscription marketplace, and a new app-based delivery service.
Averly
Averly has teamed up with machine learning experts to create a survey for landlords to assess how prospective tenants are likely to behave.
The platform extrapolates a prospective user’s convictions and opinions about renting by having them answer a survey.
As more people complete the survey, the algorithm becomes better at interpreting the results and more accurately predicting the specific user’s expected behaviour.
Averly does not make decisions on behalf of landlords, agents or tenants. The platform merely acts as an unbiased informer, based on the information it receives from each person who completes the survey.
“Averly collects your data and interprets the results based on your context,” says Zabeth Venter, CEO and co-founder of Averly.
It also never takes sides. “It will only highlight potential aspects of how you think about, for example, renting a property and how that can influence your experience during the rental process.”
Having this knowledge upfront helps a landlord, rental agent and a tenant to pre-emptively address any concerns ensuring a better overall experience.
During the survey a prospective tenant can, for example, indicate that they do not think paying rent on time is such a big deal. By having this knowledge, a landlord can make arrangements with the new tenant on what steps will be taken should they ever pay their rent late.
Platform: Most new devices with an up-to-date Internet browser
Expect to pay: A free service
Stockists: Visit Averly here to sign up us as either a landlord, agent or landlord
Go to the next page to read about a car subscription marketplace, and a new app-based delivery service.
FlexClub
FlexClub, a car subscription marketplace, has launched in Cape Town. Through partnerships with car rental companies, Cape Town consumers can browse and order their next car through FlexClub’s online marketplace.
“FlexClub is offering a more flexible and simpler model for people to rent cars in South Africa, making it an option for those wanting to avoid the hassle of owning or leasing a vehicle,” says co-founder Tinashe Ruzane. Members also earn rewards over time-based on their driving behaviour. Members will earn points during the subscription period, and the more points earned, the greater the discounts, including discounts on the purchase price of the car.
FlexClub allows non-car owners to explore their options, including more convenient access to vehicles than the traditional rental market. All interactions are done online, with customer support available seven days a week. FlexClub also delivers the vehicle to the customer’s door and allows customers to swap or cancel the subscription at any time.
FlexClub does not require a large hold on your credit card, a common practice when renting cars the traditional way, and a point of contention for many customers.
FlexClub uses an all-inclusive monthly fee, eliminating the need for separate insurance and maintenance.
Platform: Most devices with an up-to-date Internet browser
Expect to pay: Prices vary depending on the car chosen and the duration they want to rent it for.
Stockists: Visit FlexClub here to sign up.
Go to the next page to read about a new app-based delivery service.
Quench Marketplace
Imvelo Ventures has set aside funding to expand, build and back app-based delivery service Quench.
Quench has seen a transformation over the last year since the first lockdown, growing its on-demand service from the initial alcohol delivery platform to include Woolworths Food, restaurant meals for in-home dining and, more recently, Dis-Chem goods at store prices.
“Our long-term focus remains to ensure growth with our current retail partners, Woolworths, Dis-chem and Ultra Liquor, along with expanding our restaurant delivery footprint through Mr Yum South Africa,” says Quench founder Liam McCreedy.
“We will be launching a back-end system with a new consumer-facing app for our latest addition, ‘Quench Marketplace’- a new B2C channel created to allow suppliers, manufactures, wine farms and produce farms to sell, advertise and distribute off Quench’s infrastructure, directly to the consumer’s door, within 24 to 48 hours across South Africa.”
Platform: Android and iOS
Expect to pay: A free download
Stockists: Visit Quench here for downloading instructions