Image Source: The Hindu Business Line
Zepto, the rapid commerce platform best known for its 10-minute grocery deliveries, has made a strategic entry into the online pharmacy sector with the launch of Zepto Pharmacy. This new service promises to deliver essential medicines within just 10 minutes, starting in select metropolitan areas including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi-NCR, and Hyderabad. The launch signifies Zepto’s ambitious expansion beyond groceries into healthcare retail, competing with established players like Tata 1mg, PharmEasy, and Apollo 24/7.
Key Highlights: Introducing Zepto Pharmacy’s Rapid Medicine Delivery
Zepto Pharmacy is currently live in key urban centers, leveraging Zepto’s existing dark store network and logistics infrastructure to achieve ultra-fast delivery speeds.
The service offers a wide assortment of pharmaceutical products, initially featuring over 1,000 top-selling SKUs with plans to expand the assortment to more than 10,000 items soon.
Zepto Co-Founder and CEO Aadit Palicha announced the launch on LinkedIn, highlighting that the project has been in development for over a year with a pilot phase dedicated to refining customer experience, supply chain management, and regulatory compliance at a smaller scale.
The company emphasizes careful, steady scaling given the operational complexities and stringent regulations inherent in the pharmaceutical category.
Operational Strategy and Customer-Centric Focus
Zepto Pharmacy’s model aims to maintain very high operational standards, especially in quality control and legal compliance, to ensure safe and timely delivery of medicines.
Medicines are sourced to comply fully with Indian pharmaceutical regulations, with appropriate storage and handling protocols in place at dark stores.
The promise of 10-minute delivery is designed to address urgent healthcare needs quickly, making essential medicines more accessible to millions of urban customers.
Competitive Landscape and Market Position
By entering the pharmacy space, Zepto directly challenges existing online pharmacies and quick commerce firms that have already ventured into medicine delivery.
The move aligns with Zepto’s larger vision to become a one-stop platform for quick commerce, diversifying its offerings to include groceries, essentials, and now healthcare products.
Zepto’s robust logistics backbone, experienced supply chain team, and large consumer base of over 150 million monthly active users provide a strong foundation to capture significant market share.
The company is navigating the sensitive balance of rapid delivery with regulatory adherence, differentiating itself through customer trust and reliability.
Business Growth and Financial Context
This expansion comes amid Zepto’s strong financial momentum, highlighted by a reported 150% revenue surge to approximately Rs 11,110 crore (~$1.3 billion) in the fiscal year 2025.
Tapping into the pharmacy vertical offers Zepto an opportunity to enhance contribution margins by adding higher-value products and increasing user engagement across categories.
The cautious approach to scaling pharmacy operations contrasts with the broader quick commerce sector’s rapid expansion, showing Zepto’s focus on sustainability and long-term market leadership.
Outlook and Future Prospects
Zepto plans to gradually grow Zepto Pharmacy beyond the initial four metros while continuously improving operational processes.
Additional features such as improved catalog depth, AI-enabled product recommendations, and enhanced customer support are expected to boost the user experience.
The company foresees its pharmacy initiative playing a critical role in improving the health and wellness ecosystem by bridging the gap between consumers and access to timely medication.
Zepto’s success in this sector could inspire other quick-commerce startups to expand into healthcare delivery, reshaping how urban India sources medicines.
In summary, Zepto’s entry into the online pharmacy market with a bold 10-minute delivery promise marks an important evolution in the quick commerce space. By combining speed, regulatory rigor, and customer focus, Zepto Pharmacy aspires to revolutionize medicine accessibility in India’s major cities while strengthening Zepto’s position as a leading player in instant commerce.
Sources: Business Today, Business Standard, MoneyControl
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