Searching for a medicine online sounds simple: type a name, see who has it. But medicine is not like other shopping. Some medicines need a prescription, some must never be sold online, and a wrong stock count can send a patient across town for nothing.
LocalDawai helps people find medicines at licensed pharmacies near them. Here is how we designed it to stay careful.
We are not a pharmacy
LocalDawai is a technology platform that connects customers to licensed pharmacies. It does not sell medicines and it does not take payments. You pay the pharmacy directly when you collect or receive your order.
Prescription medicines are pickup only
Medicines that need a prescription can be ordered ahead, but only for pickup. The pharmacist at the counter checks the prescription before handing anything over. Delivery is limited to non-prescription items, and is done by the pharmacy's own staff.
Some medicines are never shown
Schedule X medicines are never shown and can never be ordered through the app.
Honest stock, with a timestamp
Every result shows how recently the pharmacy's stock was updated. If it has not been refreshed for a while, the label turns amber and warns that it may not be current. We would rather tell you than pretend.
Fair prices
Prices come from the pharmacy's own list, and the order total is recalculated on the server from that synced price. There is no markup.
The pharmacy stays in control
Pharmacies choose, item by item, what is visible. If they cannot fulfil an order, they cancel it, stock is put back, and you see the outcome and the reason.
Privacy and a way to complain
The app has a privacy page, a grievance page, and a documented process for data requests. LocalDawai works without an account.
LocalDawai is currently in pilot, and we are bringing pharmacies on board through PHARVILO one by one. If you run a pharmacy and would like to be part of it, get in touch.