Transforming healthcare: Edoka Onuh’s impact in Pharmacy-based Telemedicine, through Fedox Pharmacy

Recognising the critical gap in healthcare access in Nigeria’s remote areas, Onuh Edoka envisioned a transformative model of pharmacy-based telemedicine services tailored to underserved communities. While telemedicine has gained traction globally, it often falls short in regions with limited internet access and scarce digital devices.

Understanding this digital divide, he proposed an innovative solution, which is integrating telemedicine into community pharmacies, which serve as the primary healthcare touchpoint for many Nigerians.

In a study by the founder of Fedox Pharmacy, Onuh Edoka, he said, “Drawing on my experience with the federal regulatory body for pharmacy, where I previously served, I navigated the complexities of securing approval for this initiative. Although my advocacy efforts faced significant challenges, they ultimately paved the way for a groundbreaking approach to healthcare delivery. Partnering with a leading health-tech company, I successfully launched a pharmacy-based telemedicine service across all branches of Fedox Pharmacy, the community pharmacy chain I co-founded four years ago.”

He further stated that “This initiative provides patients with access to affordable virtual consultations with healthcare professionals, along with the convenience of obtaining necessary medications—all within their local pharmacies. Since its launch, it has positively impacted the health of hundreds of thousands of patients.
One particular scenario comes from Lokogoma, a satellite town in Abuja. There, a twelve-year-old girl was suffering from severe malnutrition and recurrent respiratory infections.

“Her family struggled to access healthcare due to the long distance to the nearest clinic and the high costs associated with travel. The burden of her illness weighed heavily on her parents, who often felt helpless as her condition worsened.”

“When our pharmacy-based telemedicine service was introduced, the family learned they could consult a doctor virtually, right at their local pharmacy without the daunting journey. During her first consultation, the doctor diagnosed her with both malnutrition and an untreated respiratory infection after conducting a series of tests at our partner laboratory nearby. With guidance from the healthcare professional, she received a treatment plan that included nutritional supplements and medications, all provided within the pharmacy. Within weeks, her health significantly improved. Her energy levels increased, and she began to regain weight, allowing her to return to school for the first time in months. The joy in her parents’ eyes was palpable as they shared how this access to care improved not only their daughter’s health but also their entire family’s well-being.

“In Nigeria, the doctor-to-patient ratio is alarmingly low, just one doctor for every 10,000 patients, which is far below the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) recommended standard of one doctor for every 600 patients.This intervention represents a vital step in enhancing healthcare access. As more community pharmacies adopt this model, it demonstrates a growing recognition of its value and impact in addressing healthcare disparities in Nigeria.
Through this initiative, we have not only advanced pharmacy practice in Nigeria but also laid the groundwork for a sustainable model that empowers communities and improves health outcomes.

“True systemic change in a nation begins with grassroots efforts at the community level” Onuh Edoka stated.