Food delivery companies Bolt and Wolt are working with several ministries to see if it is possible to launch courier services for over-the-counter medicines in Estonia, following in the footsteps of neighboring countries.
Consumer surveys by delivery companies show there is a demand for the fast delivery of pharmacy products, especially over-the-counter medicines.
“Our goal is to find a solution that allows these medicines to be delivered quickly and safely,” said Olari Püvi, head of the innovation program Accelerate Estonia, which is participating in the analysis on behalf of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications.
Nele Labi, deputy secretary general of the Ministry of Social Affairs, said better accessibility to over-the-counter medicines would benefit public health as it could reduce the spread of infections. Home delivery would stop sick people from visiting the pharmacy in person.
“Round-the-clock access to over-the-counter medicines without leaving home reduces the need to stockpile excess medications at home and could even reduce the burden on emergency medical services. If courier delivery of over-the-counter medicines works in this form, we hope in the future to extend it to prescription medicines as well,” Labi added.
Read more: ERR.EE
