In Burkina Faso, a digital solution is shaking up habits amid persistent medicine shortages in pharmacies. This new platform aims to enhance the traceability and safety of pharmaceutical products in a country where counterfeit drugs remain a pressing issue.

A mobile application developed by Burkinabe firm Nonga Sarl is offering a digital lifeline to those seeking medication amidst persistent shortages in the nation's pharmacies. Dubbed Alliance Pharma, the app empowers users to swiftly pinpoint pharmacies stocking specific drugs, eliminating the need for fruitless travels. Beyond individual convenience, the platform offers health organizations and businesses with digital tools to streamline the healthcare management of their employees and collaborators. Pharmacist Kaleb Kapioko spearheaded the project's launch in 2021.

Available on both iOS and Android platforms, Alliance Pharma has already garnered over 10,000 downloads via the Play Store. To seamlessly connect with pharmacies with their required medications, users need to create an account. This gives them access to a regularly updated database, maintained by partnering pharmacies, where they can conduct rapid searches using either the drug name or its active ingredient. The search results provide details like availability status, pharmacy name, precise location, and contact information.

Complementing its geolocation capabilities, Alliance Pharma features an integrated messaging system, facilitating direct inquiries and real-time confirmation of a medication's availability. Nonga Sarl intends to broaden its network of participating pharmacies and eventually incorporate supplementary functionalities, including online ordering and home delivery services.

Alliance Pharma represents a significant stride in the ongoing digitalization of Burkina Faso's healthcare system, effectively connecting pharmaceutical supplies and the immediate needs of patients.

Adoni Conrad Quenum