More people want to order medication online, but the pharmaceutical industry demands strict privacy and security standards. Nationale Apotheek wanted to offer their customers a user-friendly app that makes medication management easier, without compromising on safety or personal care. Together, we built a secure, scalable pharmacy app on AWS.
UX research as foundation for healthcare app development
Secure DigiD authentication for reliable patient identification
AWS infrastructure with EC2, Load Balancer and CloudFront for scalability
Integrations with Zorgmail, APRO pharmacy system and PostNL in one seamless customer journey
GDPR-compliant architecture for privacy-sensitive healthcare data
From digital strategy to implementation and continuous optimisation
The challenge
How do you make online medication ordering easier, faster and more secure, while meeting the pharmaceutical industry's strict privacy requirements?
The solution
A user-friendly pharmacy app on AWS with secure authentication, external integrations for repeat prescriptions and home delivery, and scalable cloud infrastructure.
Nationale Apotheek x iO: digital innovation in the pharmaceutical industry
Nationale Apotheek is an online pharmacy and part of the APPO organisation. The company is committed to making medication management more personal, faster and more convenient for patients.
We are their digital partner from strategy to implementation. Our collaboration goes beyond app development: we combine our expertise in UX research, cloud architecture and healthcare technology to build solutions that truly serve patients.
Why UX research is essential for healthcare app development
An app is always a means, not an end. Before writing a single line of code, we researched what users actually need. User research revealed that the target audience values simplicity above all: a clear overview of their medication, easy reordering and reliable delivery.
These insights shaped the entire app architecture. No unnecessary features, just a customer journey that matches how people actually manage their medication.
Secure authentication: DigiD integration without friction
In healthcare, reliable patient identification is crucial. Traditionally, this means visiting a pharmacy counter with proof of identity. We built a DigiD integration that enables secure digital identification: patients log in once and can immediately access all their medication data.
This secure login procedure meets all requirements the pharmaceutical industry imposes on privacy-sensitive data, including GDPR compliance. For users, it means one familiar, trusted login method — no new passwords, no friction.
One app, multiple integrations: from prescription to home delivery
The power of the Nationale Apotheek app lies in seamless connections between different systems. We developed integrations that support the complete customer journey:
APRO integration: the pharmacy information system that manages all medication dispensation, for new and repeat prescription requestsZorgmail integration: secure mail environment allowing users to update personal information independentlyPostNL integration: for free home delivery of medication to the address of choice
All these integrations meet modern security requirements in the pharmaceutical industry. Privacy-sensitive information is exchanged encrypted, with strict access management at every step.
Scalable AWS infrastructure for a growing user base
A healthcare app must be available 24/7, even during peak loads. That is why we chose AWS as the foundation. The infrastructure combines multiple services for maximum reliability:
EC2 instances behind an AWS Load Balancer distribute traffic and ensure redundancyAmazon CloudFront accelerates content deliveryEncryption and strict access management protect all medical data
This architecture scales automatically with the growing number of users, without additional costs and without downtime. If one server fails, another takes over immediately.
From digital strategy to continuous development
We collaborated with Nationale Apotheek through all phases: from digital strategy to implementation and optimisation. By combining our knowledge of technology, UX and the healthcare sector, we built a platform that grows with the organisation.
The result? Nationale Apotheek can focus on what they do best: personal pharmaceutical care. The number of app users increases every month.
We are the pharmacy of the future. The convenience of online services with the personalised attention of a real pharmacy.
Remote healthcare, accessible to everyone
The Nationale Apotheek app proves that eHealth and personal attention can go hand in hand. Users order medication when it suits them, without queues or waiting times. The app handles the rest: from prescription processing to delivery at the door.
For Nationale Apotheek, the app means more than digitalisation: it is a new service model that scales without compromising quality or security. The AWS infrastructure ensures the platform grows with the organisation, month after month.
