Smarna

About Smarna

Smarna, operated by the Japanese MedTech company Next Innovation Inc., is an online healthcare platform focused on women's health. The service was launched in June 2018, aiming to lower the physical and psychological barriers to specialized medical care. Next Innovation Inc. was established in June 2016 by a group of professionals including doctors and pharmacists, with Kenichi Ishii serving as the CEO. The company's vision is to leverage technology to redesign the healthcare experience.

The business operates as a B2C telemedicine platform, connecting patients with physicians for online consultations and prescription services. Its primary market is Japan, where it has become a significant player in the digital health sector for women. Revenue is generated through the prescription and delivery of pharmaceuticals, with options for single purchases or subscription-based plans for recurring medication needs. The platform offers various payment methods, including credit cards and deferred payment options, to enhance accessibility for its users.

Smarna's core service provides remote medical consultations, primarily for the prescription of birth control pills (including low-dose, ultra-low-dose, and emergency contraception), which address needs from contraception to the management of menstrual pain and PMS. The service has expanded to include treatments for medical diet, skincare, and female pattern hair loss (FAGA). A key feature is the 'Smaluna Medical Consultation Room,' which offers free consultations with midwives and pharmacists 365 days a year, providing users with a reliable source of medical information. The entire process, from consultation to prescription and delivery, is handled through a smartphone app or web browser, with medications delivered discreetly to the user's home, often by the next day. The platform has achieved significant user adoption, surpassing one million downloads by early 2023.