Zepto has announced the launch of its 10-minute medicine delivery service, aiming to transform how people in India access essential healthcare products. This new service expands Zepto’s existing quick commerce offerings into the pharmaceutical and wellness sector, promising faster access to medicines for customers who need them urgently.
Background on Zepto
Founded in 2021 by Stanford dropouts Aadit Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra, Zepto quickly became a pioneer in India’s quick commerce industry, delivering groceries and daily essentials in under 10 minutes. The company has raised substantial funding from global investors and is competing with players like Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, and Dunzo.
Why 10-Minute Medicine Delivery?
The demand for fast and reliable medicine delivery has surged, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. Customers often require urgent delivery of medicines for chronic illnesses, sudden health needs, or emergencies. Zepto’s new service targets:
- Chronic illness patients needing regular refills.
- Families with elderly members who need quick access to prescribed drugs.
- Last-minute emergencies where visiting a physical pharmacy is not possible.
How the Service Works
Zepto will leverage its dark store network across major cities to store and dispatch medicines in record time. Customers can order through the Zepto app by:
- Selecting the ‘Medicines & Healthcare’ section.
- Uploading a valid prescription for prescribed drugs.
- Receiving their order in under 10 minutes.
Over-the-counter (OTC) products such as pain relievers, vitamins, and wellness supplements will also be available without prescription.
Market Context
India’s online pharmacy market is valued at over $2 billion and is expected to grow rapidly with increasing smartphone penetration, better logistics, and changing consumer behavior. Reliance’s Netmeds, Tata 1mg, Apollo 24/7, and PharmEasy currently dominate the space.
Zepto’s entry could disrupt the market by combining speed with convenience, challenging established players who typically deliver medicines in a few hours to a day.
Challenges Ahead
While promising, 10-minute medicine delivery faces significant challenges:
- Regulatory compliance with the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.
- Prescription verification to avoid misuse of prescription drugs.
- Temperature-controlled storage for sensitive medicines.
- Maintaining accuracy and safety in urgent deliveries.
Industry Reaction
Experts believe Zepto’s move could force other quick commerce companies to expand into healthcare. However, pharmacies and regulators are expected to closely monitor the service to ensure compliance with drug safety and distribution laws.
Future Outlook
Zepto’s pilot program for 10-minute medicine delivery will initially cover metro cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. If successful, it plans to expand to tier-2 cities in the coming year. The company is also exploring AI-driven inventory prediction to ensure medicine availability without wastage.
