Eternal‑owned quick commerce platform Blinkit has initiated a pioneering pilot programme for delivering prescription medicines within select postal zones of Bengaluru. This launch builds on the company’s existing OTC medicine delivery service and represents a bold move into healthcare delivery at lightning speed.
Blinkit’s expanded medicine catalogue now includes antibiotics, eye and ear drops, nasal sprays, antihistamines, and treatments for diabetes, dermatological and neuro‑care needs. Depending on the location, delivery times range from 10 to 30 minutes.
To assist users unable to upload valid prescriptions, Blinkit also offers complimentary doctor consultations for selected orders—a feature that underscores its commitment to regulatory compliance and user-centric value.
Orders are processed via licensed pharmacies and packaged in tamper‑proof containers, ensuring patient safety and trust. So far, Blinkit has not disclosed specifics on its medicine sourcing partners or regulatory clearances.
This prescription‑delivery pilot complements Blinkit’s existing 10‑minute ambulance service in Gurugram. Since January, Blinkit’s ambulance fleet has expanded to 12 units, responding to nearly 600 emergency calls—83% of which were critical—and consistently reaching patients within 10 minutes. The company has also instituted in‑house paramedic training to further improve response quality.
The healthcare expansion aligns with Blinkit’s strategic evolution: in Q1 FY25, its gross order value from quick commerce surpassed its food delivery business for the first time, signaling a shift in consumption patterns and corporate priorities.
Blinkit is now a key player in India’s fast‑growing e‑pharmacy sector—a market that currently comprises only 3–5% of India’s ₹2.4‑lakh‑crore pharma retail industry, according to a recent Crisil report, compared with developed markets where it reaches up to 25%.
The pilot follows industry rivals like PhonePe’s Pincode, which implemented 10‑minute medicine delivery across Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Pune in April, as well as Swiggy’s service teamed with PharmEasy. Larger platforms such as Tata 1mg, Netmeds, and other start‑ups are also accelerating sub‑hour medicine fulfilments.
Blinkit’s move reflects a broader quick commerce trend in India—one that prioritises instant gratification even in healthcare delivery. As new regulatory frameworks are developed for online pharmacies, the success of pilots like this could define the future of e‑health services across urban India.
Implications for Healthcare & Quick Commerce
- Speed is now the norm: 10‑minute delivery for essential prescription drugs significantly raises consumer expectations and competitive benchmarks.
- Convergence of E‑commerce and healthcare: Blinkit’s integrated doctor consultation feature indicates a shift towards tech‑enabled health solutions within everyday platforms.
- Faster regulation and infrastructure needed: As e‑pharmacy grows, clarity on supply chain standards, licensing, and safety packaging is becoming critical.
Blinkit’s Bengaluru pilot represents a bold next step in quick commerce’s evolution—from groceries to urgent healthcare—illustrating the potential for rapid expansion into a new, vital category.
