Parmazip

Founder: Trista Isobelle Gile

Parmazip is an on-demand telepharmacy platform that connects patients with available pharmacists so that primary care becomes more affordable, available, and securely accessible to everyone.

One in five Canadians doesn’t have a family doctor. In Ontario, this translates to about 2.3 million people and is projected to grow to 4.4 million patients by 2026. This shortage leaves millions without timely access to healthcare, even for minor ailments. For those facing a mild rash or pink eye, options are limited to hours-long waits in ERs or appointments at walk-in clinics scheduled days in advance. On top of that, consultations for minor issues can be costly, creating barriers to accessible care.

To alleviate some of this strain, Canadian policy has empowered pharmacists to prescribe medications for select minor ailments. Yet despite this policy, a shortage of pharmacists—especially in remote and northern regions—hampers its impact. Even where pharmacists are available, their locations may not always be accessible to patients needing immediate care.

Through Parmazip, patients facing minor health concerns can connect directly with pharmacists from anywhere, bypassing long commutes or packed waiting rooms. Parmazip’s telepharmacy solution also enables pharmacists to offer consultations at no extra cost to patients while creating a revenue stream for pharmacy businesses by expanding their reach and boosting sales.

This social challenge was identified in early 2024 after the Parmazip team interviewed more than 80 pharmacy practitioners in Ontario, who highlighted the barriers in reaching patients quickly and efficiently. Since launching its beta in July of 2024, Parmazip has onboarded 35 pharmacy professionals and is currently in its product-market validation phase. Parmazip is redefining access to healthcare by reducing unnecessary ER visits, empowering pharmacists, and ensuring that minor ailments don’t turn into major inconveniences.