Cherry and DoctorBox make the e-prescription mobile everywhere

The e-prescription has arrived in everyday healthcare. But one major disadvantage remains: Users cannot transmit it purely digitally: They still have to go to the pharmacy themselves or scan a QR code from a paper printout. Leading telematics provider Cherry intends to launch a SaaS solution that can be easily integrated into apps with the support of the DoctorBox healthcare platform. Users can easily view, manage and digitally forward e-prescriptions.

Munich / Berlin, 30 January 2024 - Cherry Digital Health GmbH, a subsidiary of publicly listed Cherry SE and leading provider of eHealth card terminals, and DoctorBox, the super app for health, intend to launch a purely digital e-prescription solution on the market. This is a SaaS solution in combination with a software development kit (SDK). App providers, such as pharmacies with webshops or health insurance companies, can integrate it into their mobile applications in a simple and user-friendly way. Patients can then redeem prescriptions via these apps without having to visit a pharmacy or photograph QR codes. Both mail-order and bricks-and-mortar pharmacies can use this to expand their online business, as over 80 per cent of their sales of medicines are prescription drugs. Health insurance companies can integrate the offer into their own apps and thus provide insured persons with a valuable additional service. Patients can check which pharmacy has the medicine they need in stock, reserve it or, if necessary, have it delivered by courier.

Your own pharmacy terminal in your pocket with your smartphone

These variants are not possible with the previous methods of redeeming prescriptions: although the e-prescription is available digitally, it can almost only be called up via the eHC card readers in pharmacies. Patients therefore still have to visit a branch in person, the difference to a paper prescription is marginal. The only other option is a special app from Gematik, the National Agency for Digital Medicine. However, registration is a major hurdle and only a tiny proportion of patients use this method.

The SaaS solution from Cherry and DoctorBox now turns practically any NFC-enabled smartphone into an eHealth card terminal for scanning the eGK. This is based on the eHealth CardLink specification published by Gematik on 25 January. It makes it possible to integrate a tested and approved interface into apps in order to read the e-prescription securely. To do this, users hold their eHC to their NFC-enabled smartphone. They can then select their favourite pharmacy in the app, for example, and are shown whether the preparation is available there, whether they can reserve it or have it delivered.

Development should be completed by the end of the first quarter and the procedure submitted to Gematik for authorisation. DoctorBox is contributing its extensive expertise in app integration and its experience in handling sensitive patient data to the project. With over 1.2 million users of the DoctorBox app and 5 million managed data points, it is Germany's leading healthcare platform. Cherry contributes its extensive experience in data security, regulation and telematics infrastructure. With its card terminals for medical practices and pharmacies, the German company is the fastest growing provider in this field.

"This solution brings us a significant step closer to a patient-centred healthcare system," emphasises Björn Lehnhoff, CEO of DoctorBox. "With Cherry's extensive experience in telematics solutions, we can make one of the most common touchpoints - going to the pharmacy - much more user-friendly and efficient for all parties."

"The decisive factor is a robust, user-friendly mobile product that fulfils all security requirements," says Gerrit Schick, Managing Director of Digital Health at Cherry. "This is exactly what we are now bringing to the market. As a leading app developer in the healthcare sector, DoctorBox is an important partner for this."

About DoctorBox:

Founded in 2016 by Priv. Doz. Oliver Miltner and tech entrepreneur Stefan Heilmann, DoctorBox is now one of the largest independent healthcare marketplaces in Europe. More than 1 million registered users have a DoctorBox health account for their daily health management. The DoctorBox health account centralises important health data. DoctorBox is available in different languages, end-to-end encrypted and ISO 27001 certified. This means that the course of treatment can be better tracked together with the treating doctors and health can be sustainably improved for a healthier, longer life. What's more, DoctorBox users have the choice right from the start: they can either store their data locally on their own smartphone or use the DoctorBox's high-security servers on German soil.

More about DoctorBox: www.doctorbox.de

About Cherry:

Cherry SE is a global manufacturer of high-end switches for mechanical keyboards and computer input devices such as keyboards, mice and headsets for applications in gaming & e-sports, office & hybrid workplaces, industry and the healthcare sector. Since its foundation in 1953, Cherry has stood for innovative and high-quality products that are specially developed for different customer needs.

Cherry has its operational headquarters in Auerbach in the Upper Palatinate (Bavaria) and employs around 400 people in production facilities in Auerbach, Zhuhai (China) and Vienna (Austria) as well as in several sales offices in Auerbach, Pegnitz, Munich, Landskrona (Sweden), Paris, Kenosha (USA), Taipei and Hong Kong.

More about Cherry: www.cherry-world.com

Press contact:

Nadine Fleischer

Head of Marketing

marketing@doctorbox.eu