Digital healthcare company Ro offers prescriptions for hair loss, menopause, and sexual health. 

Now it's becoming the first online pharmacy to offer FDA-approved allergy treatments. The segment includes up to 50 million people in the U.S. who suffer from the chronic condition. 

"If you look at a condition like allergies, it's perfect for our platform," Dr. Melynda Barnes, vice president of medical affairs, told Cheddar. "We have the capability of doing everything from diagnosis to delivery of treatment."   

Ro is the parent company behind digital health clinics Roman (for men) and Rory (for women) as well as a service for dealing with nicotine addiction called Zero.

Its platforms will offer allergy medicine to patients, which furthers the startup's goal of serving as a one-stop-shop for basic health needs. 

"Our goal at Ro is to be a patient's first call, and for us, that means moving toward a primary care practice," Barnes said. 

Though many allergy treatments are available over the counter, research shows that 80 percent of people choose the incorrect medication on their own. Using telehealth options for quick access to a certified physician, Ro hopes to take out the guesswork for patients. 

"I don't think we'll ever replace in-person care," Barnes said. "In fact, at Ro, our goal is to be a complement to our in-person colleagues."

But that hasn't stopped Ro from expanding into other aspects of personal healthcare, including spreading knowledge to patients online. 

The company recently launched Health Guide, a medical handbook that is 30 percent written by doctors and 100 reviewed by them. Ro is promoting the service as a competitor to WebMD.

"Right now, we know that physicians feel like they can spend more time with really sick patients if they can take care of healthier patients through an alternative health care model like telemedicine," Barnes said.

Share:
More In Business
Starbucks’ Change Flushes Out a Debate Over Public Restroom Access
Starbucks’ decision to restrict its restrooms to paying customers has flushed out a wider problem: a patchwork of restroom use policies that varies by state and city. Starbucks announced last week a new code of conduct that says people need to make a purchase if they want to hang out or use the restroom. The coffee chain's policy change for bathroom privileges has left Americans confused and divided over who gets to go and when. The American Restroom Association, a public toilet advocacy group, was among the critics. Rules about restroom access in restaurants vary by state, city and county. The National Retail Federation says private businesses have a right to limit restroom use.
Trump Highlights Partnership Investing $500 Billion in AI
President Donald Trump is talking up a joint venture investing up to $500 billion for infrastructure tied to artificial intelligence by a new partnership formed by OpenAI, Oracle and SoftBank. The new entity, Stargate, will start building out data centers and the electricity generation needed for the further development of the fast-evolving AI in Texas, according to the White House. The initial investment is expected to be $100 billion and could reach five times that sum. While Trump has seized on similar announcements to show that his presidency is boosting the economy, there were already expectations of a massive buildout of data centers and electricity plants needed for the development of AI.
Load More