The service would allow customers to order prescription-based medication in addition to over-the-counter medicines, basic health devices and Ayurveda medication from certified sellers.
E-commerce giant Amazon has forayed into the online medicine segment and launched Amazon Pharmacy. The service has been started in areas with select pin codes in Bengaluru, while the company is learnt to be mulling scaling it up to other cities across India in the near future.
The service would allow
customers to order prescription-based medication in addition to
over-the-counter medicines, basic health devices and Ayurveda medication from
certified sellers.
"As a part of our
commitment to fulfill the needs of customers, we are launching Amazon Pharmacy
in Bangalore,” said an Amazon India spokesperson confirming the development.
“This is particularly relevant in present times as it will help customers meet
their essential needs while staying safe at home," the spokesperson said.
Amazon’s foray into the
online medicine segment puts it in direct competition with established local
players including NetMeds, 1mg, PharmEasy and Medlife. Amazon has launched the
service at a time when there is a tremendous demand for such services which are
delivering essential medicines to patients amid the Covid-19 pandemic. An
increasing number of people are buying products online and avoiding visiting
the stores due to fears of catching the virus.
However, it is not going to
be easy for Amazon to tap the e-pharmacy
space due to the regulatory hurdles and the ongoing war between online and
offline pharmacies and the delay in finalisation of e-pharmacy rules by the
government.
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