Due to a critical shortage of doctors across Southeast Asia, patients visit pharmacies ten times more than doctors, making them a critical point of care in their communities. However, 80% of all pharmacies in the region are small, independent shops operating in isolation, leading to significant challenges in the quality, availability, and affordability of medicines.
- SwipeRx is transforming this landscape by connecting pharmacy professionals and their pharmacies through a single, integrated mobile platform.Â
- The company connects over 300,000 pharmacy professionals from 50,000 pharmacies, through an innovative mobile app that delivers free continuing professional development (CPD) education courses, a drug directory, and a transformative digital group purchasing organization that helps small pharmacies swiftly access affordable medicines
Today, 1 in 3 pharmacists in Southeast Asia is on SwipeRx - 71% of them are women, and 34% come from rural areas.
- SwipeRx is supporting female healthcare professionals, enhancing community health, and promoting gender inclusivity in digital health solutions.
- Today, 1 in 3 pharmacists in Southeast Asia is on the platform—71% of them are women, and 34% come from rural areas. SwipeRx has trained over 100,000 pharmacy professionals on more than 350 health education topics. In Indonesia—its largest market—SwipeRx is now the country's largest group purchasing organization for community pharmacies, servicing 25% of all pharmacies. This has radically improved the quality, availability, and affordability of medicines, ensuring better healthcare access across the region
- Farouk Meralli is the Founder and CEO of SwipeRx. Previously he held senior roles in strategy and product development at global pharmaceutical companies Pfizer, Sanofi, and Roche.
- He is the recipient of the Harvard Alumni Public Health Innovator Award, is an Endeavor Entrepreneur, and is the Chair and Co-Founder of the nonprofit organization Borderless World Volunteers.
SwipeRx is a ÃÛ¶¹ÊÓÆµ Optimus Foundation partner
ÃÛ¶¹ÊÓÆµ Optimus Foundation made USD 2.5 million equity investment into SwipeRX in 2024 and has supported the company in their strategy to empower female pharmacists.

Farouk Meralli
Founder and CEO
Focus area
Health
Impact topic
- Health
- Healthcare
- Healthtech
- APAC