A startup aims to sell cheaper and safer medicines in Bangladesh

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It’s essential for any country to have fully functional and well-stocked medical facilities, especially as the world grapples with the Covid-19 pandemic. However, Bangladesh doesn’t have that luxury, and it also has to deal with the problem of counterfeit medicines.

In an attempt to provide genuine medicines to people in the country, Rosina Mazumder established Arogga last year, along with Fahad Hossain and Shamim Hasan and Yawar Mehboob. Mazumder serves as the CEO of the startup, which sells discounted medicines that are sourced directly from pharmaceutical manufacturers.

Recently, Arogga also raised US$200,000 in its seed round from new investors, including six angel investors and a follow-on investment from Dubai-based Falcon Network.

The Arogga team / Photo credit: Arogga

What’s the problem that your startup is trying to solve?

Mazumder: It is common to visit two to three pharmacies in order to get all medicines on your prescription. This is because pharmacies are small and are not well stocked. Moreover, 20% of all medicines are counterfeit, and this is a big problem in Bangladesh.

Who is your target customer?

Our customers are people who require medicines. We have noticed that a large proportion of our regular customers have chronic illnesses and require medicines on a monthly basis.

How is your startup solving the problem?

Arogga delivers genuine medicines, which are sourced directly from the manufacturer and sold at a discounted rate. It is a complete healthcare platform that offers doctor consultations, laboratory testing, and insurance, among others.

Why is this the right time for your startup?

Telemedicine is an untapped market, and we are making an impact by providing access through technology.

Why is your team best positioned to solve this problem over others?