In January 2020, Amazon registered to trademark the name Amazon Pharmacy in the UK, Australia, and Canada, as per a report by the BBC. The movement was seen as a sign that the company was set to increase its prescription drugs business outside of the US significantly.
Amazon Pharmacy will face opposition from existing online medical stores like Medlife, Netmeds, Temasek-backed PharmEasy, and Sequoia Capital-backed 1mg.
Amazon has announced the launch of an online pharmacy in the city of Bengaluru. The service, named Amazon Pharmacy, will manage in Bengaluru. The online drugstore will give both over-the-counter and prescription-based drugs, primary health devices, and traditional Indian herbal medicines. However, there is no launch date stated by the company.
“As a part of our commitment to fulfilling the requirements of customers, we are launching Amazon Pharmacy in Bangalore providing customers to order prescription-based medication in addition to over-the-counter medicines, basic health devices, and Ayurveda medication from certified sellers. This is especially relevant in present times as it will assist customers in meeting their essential requirements while staying safe at home,” an Amazon spokesperson told India Today.
Last month, the company determined to open 10 new warehouses in India and begin offering auto insurance. Amazon had also secured approval for alcohol delivery in one Indian state, as per Reuters.
Amazon Pharmacy’s launch begins months after the start of Amazon Food, which was also launched in some pin codes of Bengaluru. Some users in Bengaluru can see the food delivery option under Amazon Food.
“Free and contactless delivery, hygiene certifies restaurants,” Amazon highlighted on the app. “We are starting Amazon Food in select Bangalore pin codes providing customers to order from handpicked local restaurants and cloud kitchens that pass our high hygiene certification bar.
We are adhering to the highest measures of safety to ensure our customers continue safely while having a delightful experience,” an Amazon spokesperson told ET. According to the app, the service is available in parts of Bellandur, Haralur, Marathalli, and Whitefield of Bengaluru, Karnataka.
