In recent years, rapid growth of startups in various fields has been observed in Kazakhstan, and medicine was no exception. One of the most striking examples of this trend is I-teka at https://i-teka.kz/almaty/medicamentsalphabetically, a medical startup that has become the largest aggregator of pharmacies in Central Asia. The platform allows users to quickly and conveniently find the necessary drugs, compare prices and choose the nearest pharmacies. In this material, we will consider how I-teka became an important element in the Kazakhstan healthcare system and how the startup solves key problems related to the search for medicines.
I-teka: How did everything begin?
The history of I-teka began with the idea of creating a platform that would combine information from thousands of pharmacies throughout Kazakhstan. The main goal of the startup was to make it easier for people to access necessary medicines. The problem of finding medicines, especially specific or rare ones, existed in Kazakhstan for a long time, and many residents faced difficulties in finding the necessary medicine in pharmacies.
The founders of I-teka noticed that in large cities, such as Almaty, Nur-Sultan and Shymkent, the number of pharmacies is large, but it is often difficult for consumers to find out exactly where the necessary drug is. In addition, prices for the same drug can vary significantly depending on the pharmacy. This prompted the startup team to create an aggregator that would allow users not only to find the necessary drugs, but also to compare their cost in different pharmacies.
The main functions and capabilities of I-teka
I-teka is a platform that offers users a wide range of functionality, simplifying the process of searching for drugs and purchasing medical products. Here are some of the key features of the service:
- Search for drugs in real time: Users can enter the name of the desired drug, and the system will show in real time in which pharmacies it is available. This is especially convenient for those who do not want to spend time looking for medicine all over the city.
- Price comparison: I-teka allows you to compare prices for the same drug in different pharmacies. This helps to choose the most favorable option and saves money, which is especially important for those who regularly buy medicines.
- Filtering by location: The platform offers the function of filtering pharmacies by location. Users can choose the nearest pharmacy to save time and get the necessary medicine as quickly as possible.
- Information about drugs: I-teka provides users with detailed information about each drug, including its composition, dosage, indications and contraindications. This allows you to make more informed decisions when choosing a drug.
- Delivery of medicines: In some pharmacies connected to I-teka, it is possible to order home delivery of medicines. This makes the platform even more convenient, especially for people with disabilities or those who are in difficult conditions that do not allow them to leave the house.
Why did I-teka become a successful medical startup?
Despite the fact that there are many medical platforms and aggregators of pharmacies, I-teka stands out from its competitors thanks to a number of key factors that contributed to its rapid success in Kazakhstan:
- Current problem: Searching for medicines is a problem that millions of people face every day. I-teka solved this problem, offered a convenient solution that saves users time and money.
- Technological superiority: The startup actively uses modern technologies, such as big data processing algorithms and geolocation services, which allows users to promptly provide users with up-to-date information on the availability and prices of drugs in pharmacies.
- Accessibility and simplicity: I-teka is designed to meet the needs of a wide variety of users. The platform has an intuitive interface, available both through the web version and through mobile applications for Android and iOS, which makes it accessible to a wide audience.
- Partnership with pharmacies: The startup is actively developing partnership relations with pharmacies throughout Kazakhstan. This not only allows the platform to increase the number of available products, but also helps pharmacies attract new customers.
- Focus on social significance: In the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic, I-teka has become not just a convenient service, but also an important social tool that helped people get medicines without leaving home. This attracted a large number of new users and strengthened the reputation of the startup.
The role of I-teka in digitalization of medicine in Kazakhstan
Digitization of health care is one of the key trends of recent years, which is actively supported by the government of Kazakhstan. I-teka played an important role in the development of this direction, providing Kazakhstanis with a convenient tool for searching and buying medicines. The platform became part of a general strategy to improve the availability of medical services via the Internet.
Thanks to the development of such services as I-teka, residents of Kazakhstan have been able to get faster and easier access to medical products, which is especially important in conditions where time can be a critical factor. In the future, I-teka plans to develop new directions related to telemedicine and electronic prescriptions, which can further simplify the process of interaction with medical institutions.
Innovations and plans for the future
Like any successful startup, I-teka is not going to rest on its laurels. The platform is actively developing and plans to expand functionality for its users. Among the future innovations, the following areas can be noted:
- Telemedicine: As part of the development of telemedicine in Kazakhstan, I-teka plans to integrate online medical consultations. This will allow users to receive recommendations from doctors regarding treatment and prescription of medications without leaving home.
- Electronic prescriptions: The introduction of the electronic prescription system will make the process of buying medicines even more convenient. Users will be able to receive prescriptions from doctors directly in the system and immediately search for the necessary drugs through I-teka.
- International expansion: Although I-teka’s main market is Kazakhstan and Central Asia, the startup plans to expand its activities to other countries in the region. In the future, cooperation with pharmacies and medical institutions of the CIS countries and Eastern Europe is possible.
- Expanding the assortment: In addition to medicinal products, I-teka plans to add to its database data on other medical products, such as medical equipment, vitamins, cosmetics and health care products.
Influence of I-teka on the market of medical services of Kazakhstan
I-teka had a significant impact on the pharmacy market of Kazakhstan. Thanks to the platform, pharmacies got a new channel for attracting customers, and consumers got a convenient way to search for medicines. This has led to a more transparent and competitive environment where users can choose pharmacies based on their pricing policy and assortment.
In addition, the platform stimulated the development of the online drug delivery market, which became especially relevant during the pandemic. Now residents of Kazakhstan can order medicines with home delivery, which simplifies the process of obtaining medical goods and increases the accessibility of healthcare.
Conclusion
I-teka is not just a startup, but an innovative solution that changes the approach to the search and purchase of medicines in Kazakhstan. The platform combined technological achievements and social significance and became an important element in the country’s healthcare system. With the development of technologies and further innovations, I-teka promises to become an even more convenient and useful service for millions of people, continuing to actively develop and benefit both users and partners.
