A study by YooMoney and SberHealth reveals that 18% of Russians consult AI assistants or online doctors before purchasing medication. This figure exceeds the 13% who use reference books and the 9% who rely on online forums. Additionally, 14% of users turn to digital consultants immediately upon experiencing initial symptoms.
The SberHealth AI assistant handles 23% of all online inquiries, with questions regarding medication instructions, drug compatibility, and alternative options being the most frequent. In 2025, the volume of online medical consultations increased by 35% compared to the previous year, with experts estimating that 60% of health-related queries can be resolved remotely.
While 73% of Russians still purchase medicine in physical pharmacies, 24% use app-based click-and-collect services, 2% use delivery, and 1% utilize marketplaces. Trust remains a barrier, as 64% of respondents consider only offline purchases safe, while only 15% trust online pharmacies and 4% trust marketplaces.
Consumer demand for digital pharmacy services focuses on price comparison (58%), loyalty program integration (40%), and real-time inventory tracking (30%). Furthermore, 22% of users prioritize one-click secure payments, and 19% seek access to digital receipts and medical consultations within the same interface.
