How InstaMG matches your order with the nearest pharmacy
One order goes to every licensed pharmacy near you at once, and the first to accept fulfils it. Here's how matching, stock checks, substitutes and prescriptions work.
Most medicine delivery apps send your order to a single store. If that store is out of one item, you wait, or the order is cancelled. InstaMG works differently.
One order, every pharmacy nearby
When you place an order, it goes to every licensed partner pharmacy around your address at the same moment. You can see how many pharmacies have been notified while you wait.
The first pharmacy that has your medicines accepts the order. From then on, that pharmacy is the one packing it, and its name and drug licence number are shown on your order.
The pharmacy confirms stock
After accepting, the pharmacy confirms it has every item. If something isn't available nearby, you choose what happens next:
- Wait a little longer for another pharmacy.
- Remove the unavailable items.
- Split the order into two deliveries from two pharmacies.
Substitutes need your approval
A pharmacist may suggest a substitute, for example a generic with the same salt and strength. You see both medicines side by side, including the price, and decide. A substitute is never given without your approval.
Prescriptions are checked before packing
For prescription medicines, the pharmacist at the accepting pharmacy verifies your prescription before anything is packed. A valid prescription shows the doctor's name and registration number, the date, the patient's name, the medicines and the doctor's signature.
Once it's verified, you see the final bill and approve it. Only then is the order dispatched.
Cold-chain items go only to pharmacies that can store them
Insulin, vaccines and other items that must stay cold are marked in the app. They are only matched to pharmacies that can store them correctly.
Cancelling is free until a pharmacy accepts
Until a pharmacy accepts, you can cancel for free and get a full refund. If no pharmacy accepts your order, it is cancelled automatically and refunded in full. The details are in our refund policy.