Alibaba Health to Develop Online B2C & O2O Operations Platform for Pharmacies
iFeng Tech, 10/22/15
Chinese internet firm Alibaba Group's (NYSE: BABA) healthcare subsidiary Alibaba Health (0241.HK) recently launched the "Alibaba Health Future Pharmacy Partners Program" with the aim of developing a B2C and O2O online operations platform for partner pharmacies. Leveraging Alibaba's advantages in mobile and online technology as well as the company's operations experience, the platform will offer partner organizations a variety tools and services, such as big data marketing analysis, sales and logistics services, and pharmacist consultations.
The plan works on four levels. To help medical sales, the plan offers flexibility in customer purchasing. If customers cannot find the medication they need at a brick-and-mortar pharmacy, the pharmacy will receive a commission for recommending that the customer purchase the needed medication online. Furthermore, should a customer seeking to purchase medication online require immediate use of the drug, a local partner pharmacy will be informed immediately to prepare the medication and the customer will have the choice to have the medicine delivered by express delivery service or to pick it up on their own.
To assist with marketing strategy, Alibaba Health's member marketing system and data analysis tools will provide marketing support to Alibaba Health partner organizations. Through big data analysis, companies will be able to learn more about what medications and medical supplies are in high demand for certain groups, and thus more accurately determine where to open pharmacy locations and how to stock each site.
In terms of services, Alibaba Health will bring together domestic producers, international producers, and distribution channels in order to provide partners with cheaper supplies, logistics support, loan services, personnel training, pharmacist consultation services, and other services.
Finally, Alibaba Health's platform not only connects online and offline pharmacy services, but also integrates medical institutions, third-party medical service providers, commercial insurance companies, and wearable medical equipment manufacturers.
Keywords: online healthcare Internet B2C Alibaba Group O2O Alibaba Health 0241.HK BABA e-commerce
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