The world is stepping away from brick-and-mortar retailers and moving towards a reliance on online shopping for daily needs.
In the UK and the US, Amazon has become a way of life, delivering everything from your weekly shop to your new TV, even offering same-day delivery in metropolitan locations. South Africa is far behind in terms of e-commerce offerings but is set to grow exponentially over the next few years, with the Rand Merchant Bank predicting the sector to surge by 150% to R225 billion over the next five years. (1)
This could happen sooner than expected thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic (I know, something to be grateful to COVID for). With shops forced to close and people told to stay home, many turned to online offerings for groceries, fashion, medication and household goods. In fact, e-commerce spending was up 30% in the first half of 2020 compared to the previous year. (2)
Despite these positive figures, and the popularity of online retailers such as Takealot and OneDayOnly, e-commerce in South Africa is still hindered by expensive logistics, security, data costs and internet accessibility. Yet e-commerce offers many advantages that could benefit a country like South Africa, especially when it comes to healthcare and medical services.
Contro aims to help drive the growth of e-commerce within South Africa by introducing an on-demand delivery service for healthcare products that South African customers can rely on. Contro saves you time and money while ensuring your privacy is kept intact by delivering your sexual health products in discreet packaging. But what are the benefits of ordering your birth control online?
Reasons why women are getting their birth control online:
Delivery is fast and free
Once your prescription has been confirmed by one of our Partner Doctors, it is sent to our Partner Pharmacy to process and package discreetly for delivery. When your next monthly renewal is due, you will receive an SMS confirming its dispatch from the pharmacy and an estimated delivery time. You will always receive your next month’s medication within 28 days to ensure you don’t go a day without it, and delivery with us is always free.
COVID-19 safe
Getting your birth control online means that there is no need to go to the doctor’s clinic, sit in waiting rooms or stand in line at the pharmacy, we can help keep you safe from COVID-19. Leaving your home or place of work less limits your potential exposure to the virus, and Telemedicine has proven to be vital for patients and their healthcare providers to stay connected, and to continue receiving their level of care and access to medication. It’s all about convenient and safe access to healthcare from the comfort of your own home.
It’s a lot cheaper
The cost of ordering your birth control online is simple and straightforward. There are no hidden fees, prices are upfront and there are no ancillary costs associated with travel to clinics and pharmacies.
Using Contro’s services helps save you around R400 every three months. That works out at a saving of R1600 annually. You won’t have to worry about managing your finances every month as it’s all done for you upfront. Check out our Helpdesk for further details about using your medical aid plan.
Minimal admin, more time
Ordering birth control online can help those with limited access to doctors and pharmacies due to distance, time or cost. You can avoid the hassle of booking a doctor’s appointment every 3 months and visiting the pharmacy every month to collect your renewal. You don’t need to worry about the pharmacy not having your prescription ready or in stock, or forgetting to collect before the store closes or you need the medicine.
You can sign up to our service at a time that suits you, day or night, and from right where you are. After your once-off virtual consultation, you won’t need to lift a finger to get your next prescription, and your medication will be delivered to your door every month with no need to organise, drive anywhere or remember anything. Refills are automatic, so you can focus your time on other things in life.
It’s discreet
We believe that women should not be subjected to judgemental, biased or stereotypical views or treatment when accessing birth control. Not every woman is able to or feels comfortable talking about contraception with their family doctor, friends and family, or school teachers. That’s why when you order your birth control online with Contro you can receive confidential advice and support, and your medication will always be sent to an address of your choice in discreet packaging.
Personalised service
When you complete our specifically designed online health questionnaire, you’ll let our partner doctors know your health history, personal preferences and objectives when it comes to birth control. The once-off virtual consultation with one of our Partner Doctors allows you to ask any questions you may have and receive advice specific to you and your body. Our independent Partner Doctors can use their expert opinion to prescribe you a birth control which suits you, without pushing any specific brands or treatments.
It’s safe
Ordering your birth control online may seem scary at first. We’ve made every step of the process as easy and straightforward as possible, so you have no reason to worry. Our mission is to provide safe and affordable online medical care, and our Partner Doctors are all qualified to provide you with the best service and care. They will review your needs, health and medical history with the same diligent care you would normally receive, and our pharmacies stock the same brands, if not more than you’d get from an in-person doctor.
We are committed to helping you find a birth control solution which suits you. If you have any questions or concerns along the way, our Partner Doctors and Customer Care Team are here to support you.
Sign up and let’s get started!
Any questions? Contact the Contro Customer Care Team or chat to us live on our website.
