Healthcare at your fingertips

It’s said that necessity breeds innovation.

Throughout the past year, people everywhere have had to get used to a world where physical distancing is paramount – if something can be done without a close, face-to-face interaction, then it should. That’s the necessity.

And now, thanks to an innovation from Farmacias Ahumada, patients can do so without jeopardizing their access to healthcare – and in some cases it’s more accessible than ever before. The latest in biometric authentication technology now offers Ahumada new ways for their customers and patients to manage their healthcare needs.

Ahumada Xpress self-service kiosks are part of Farmacias Ahumada's innovation agenda as well as its digital transformation strategy to open digital doors to their pharmacies. Currently being piloted in selected supermarkets across Chile, this latest innovation allows customers to use fingertip authentication to access personalized healthcare services and prescription medication safely and securely, while shopping for their groceries.

Through Ahumada Xpress, customers can scan their prescriptions and arrange for pickup at their local pharmacy – and should a customer have any questions about their medication, they can speak directly with a pharmacist using the kiosk’s integrated phone service. They can also access all the benefits and discounts of the Familia Ahumada loyalty program.

"This latest digital innovation fully reflects the commitment of Ahumada’s team to adapt our pharmacy model to provide our patients greater access to healthcare safely and securely, while recognizing the importance of convenience in today's current context," says Ariel Bohorquez, project management & health innovation director at Farmacias Ahumada. “Though the pandemic has presented challenges for everyone across the world, examples such as this provide a look at how a time of need has created lasting innovations.”