Walmart-owned Flipkart to soon start delivering medicines in 10 minutes, report says

Walmart-owned Flipkart is preparing to roll out a 10-minute medicine delivery service in select metropolitan areas, ET reported.

The move could position the Walmart-owned e-commerce giant as the first player in the quick commerce sector to deliver prescription medicines.

Notably, this will put Flipkart in direct competition with established players in the online pharmacy and quick-delivery space, such as Tata-owned 1mg, Reliance-backed Netmeds, and PharmEasy.

Expanding Flipkart Minutes

The new initiative aligns with Flipkart’s broader expansion of its quick commerce arm, Flipkart Minutes.

Initially launched in Bengaluru in August 2024, Flipkart Minutes has extended its services to Delhi-NCR and Mumbai, with further plans to include Kolkata, Pune, Hyderabad, and Chennai.

The service currently collaborates with Kirana stores and grocers, offering free deliveries and a wide selection of products.

Partnering with local chemists

To comply with India's stringent drug regulations, which prevent foreign-backed e-commerce platforms from holding inventory, Flipkart will partner with licensed local chemists.

The report said these partnerships will ensure regulatory compliance, allowing registered chemists to supply medicines directly while leveraging Flipkart’s advanced last-mile delivery network for rapid fulfilment.

Intensifying competition

Flipkart’s entry signals growing interest in quick commerce within healthcare. Rival Swiggy Instamart has reportedly partnered with PharmEasy for 10-minute deliveries.

Additionally, Amazon India is planning to launch its quick commerce service, codenamed Tez, by late 2024, further heating up the competition.

The quick commerce sector is currently dominated by Blinkit, holding a 46% market share, followed by Zepto at 29%, and Swiggy Instamart at 25%, according to a Motilal Oswal report.