PhonePe's Pincode launches 24/7 medicine delivery in Bengaluru, Mumbai and Pune

Pincode, the hyperlocal delivery app developed by PhonePe, has expanded its healthcare footprint with the launch of a 24-hour online medicine delivery service in Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Pune.

With this launch, the UPI payments giant aims to make critical medications available at any hour, delivering both prescription and over-the-counter drugs within 10 minutes from nearby medical shops.

Supporting small businesses

This latest feature departs from the dark-store model that dominates India's e-pharmacy sector. Instead, Pincode is anchoring its logistics and fulfilment strategy around neighbourhood chemists.

By forming exclusive partnerships with local pharmacies, the company wants to ensure fast deliveries while supporting small businesses in adapting to the digital economy.

"At PINCODE, our mission is to enhance healthcare accessibility and convenience while simultaneously empowering local medical shops. Our 10-minute delivery service ensures customers receive medicines without unnecessary delays. Through our continuous availability and free doctor on call, we are improving access to fundamental healthcare services while reinforcing the position of neighbourhood medical shops in the digital economy," said Vivek Lohcheb, CEO of PINCODE.

Free teleconsultations for non-prescription orders

In a move designed to streamline compliance and expand access, Pincode offers free teleconsultations for users who do not possess a prescription. Customers can select the 'no prescription' option at checkout, after which they are contacted by a qualified doctor. Based on the consultation, a digital prescription is issued in adherence with India's telemedicine guidelines.

The Bengaluru-based company said that the service is designed to address a growing gap in accessible healthcare, particularly for individuals managing chronic conditions, urgent medication needs, or mobility limitations.

A local-first model for quick commerce

Unlike traditional e-pharmacies that operate out of centralised warehouses or dark stores, Pincode sources medications from the nearest partner pharmacy. The company believes that this hyperlocal strategy ensures speedier deliveries and gives local vendors a prominent stake in the digital supply chain. 

"This approach stimulates local economic growth and ensures trusted medical shops remain integral to their communities," Lohcheb added.

Pincode also offers competitive pricing by passing along discounts offered by partner pharmacies directly to customers. Notably, the company has made the service entirely fee-free for delivery.

Launched as a 10-minute delivery platform under the PhonePe umbrella, the Pincode app is positioning itself as a consumer-first platform in the quick commerce sector. While it already offers grocery, food, and essential item deliveries, the addition of pharmaceuticals adds a new layer of utility, one that intersects with India's growing need for digital-first healthcare access.