To make essential healthcare, hygiene and first-aid products more conveniently available in people’s everyday lives, "Mēness aptieka" is gradually introducing healthcare product vending machines across Latvia. The first four self-service machines have already been installed in Riga and Jelgava, with further locations planned in other parts of Latvia.
The new vending machines offer a selection of commonly needed healthcare products for situations when they are needed immediately – while travelling, at work, in a healthcare facility or at a shopping centre. At the same time, when medicines or professional advice on their use or other health-related matters are required, consultation with a pharmacist and professional pharmaceutical care at a pharmacy remain essential.
“Our goal is to be accessible in a wide range of everyday situations. By introducing healthcare product vending machines, we are expanding access to these essential products in places and situations where a pharmacy may not be nearby. We cannot always predict when we might need a plaster, disinfectant or a product to soothe throat irritation. At the same time, pharmacies and pharmacists remain at the heart of our services. When medicines or professional health advice are needed, we encourage people to make use of the opportunity to consult a pharmacist,” says Jeļena Petrišina, Member of the Management Board of "Mēness aptieka".
The range available through the vending machines has been designed to cover the most common everyday healthcare needs.
“We use technology where it helps expand access to healthcare products and enhance the customer experience. At the same time, we continue to develop our pharmacies – from their product range and accessibility to the pharmaceutical care we provide. A pharmacist’s expertise, ability to assess an individual’s needs and provide professional advice remain the key value of a pharmacy, appreciated by our customers across Latvia,” emphasises Jeļena Petrišina.
Customers can also use the benefits of the Veselība loyalty programme when purchasing products from the vending machines. Payments can be made by bank card.
The introduction of healthcare product vending machines marks another step in "Mēness aptieka’s" ongoing development of its services and customer experience. The company has previously introduced a number of technological solutions to make the pharmacy experience more convenient, including self-service checkouts in several pharmacies. In 2025, the company also began introducing electronic shelf labels.
