Washington: Online retail giant Amazon on Friday announced the launch of an online pharmacy in India, which will make its debut in Bengaluru.The service called “Amazon Pharmacy” may be trialed in other Indian cities later.This move comes at a time when the online drugs business has been given a major boost in the country during the coronavirus pandemic, a BBC report said.
The Amazon Pharmacy service offers prescription, over-the-counter and basic health devices as well as traditional Indian herbal medicines”This is particularly relevant in present times as it will help customers meet their essential needs while staying safe at home,” the company said in a statementAmazon started its move into pharmaceutical retailing in 2017 and brought the US-based home delivery medications startup PillPack and last year, the company introduced its Amazon Pharmacy branding to PillPack’s service.
In January, Amazon filed to trademark the name Amazon Pharmacy in the UK, Australia and Canada.
The move is being seen as a sign of the company’s expansion of its prescription drugs business outside the US.
Earlier this year, Amazon’s chief executive Jeff Bezos pledged major investments in India and in May, Amazon entered India’s meal delivery business with a trial in four parts of Banglore.