Amazon pharmacy is expanding its working outside US and potentially in India, Canada, U.K. and Australia. Recently, Amazon has filed to trademark “Amazon Pharmacy” in Canada, the U.K. and Australia, signaling a potential move into selling prescription drugs outside of the U.S. reported by CNBC.
It is noted that Amazon Technologies applied for trademark in Canada on 9th January and provided in pre-formalized status to canadian intellectual property office. And Similar trademark filings made for IP Australia and the U.K.’s intellectual property office on same day.
They proposed for selling for Pharmaceuticals, medical and veterinary preparations; sanitary preparations for medical purposes; dietetic food and substances adapted for medical or veterinary use; dietary supplements for humans and animals; plasters, materials for dressings; material for stopping teeth, dental wax; disinfectants; ointments for pharmaceutical purposes; lotions for pharmaceutical purposes; balms etc.
Along with that, Amazon also included businesses of instruments like Surgical, medical, dental and veterinary apparatus and instruments.
It is also noted that the company has also filed trademarks in Brazil, Canada, China, Egypt, the EU, India, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Singapore, Taiwan, Turkey, and the UAE.
In India, Amazon Pharmacy trademark is applied on 10th Jan, 2020. Amazon is known for online businesses and therefore it is well expected that they will start Epharmacy in the country. In India, Amazon Pharmacy will involve in various services such as medical services; veterinary services; hygienic and beauty care for human beings or animals; pharmacy services; services relating to the dispensing of medications; information services relating to medications; information services relating to pharmaceuticals; providing information to patients in the field of administering medications; medical information; providing a web site featuring medical information; providing information in the field of health care in connection with retail pharmacy transactions; health care services; preparation of prescriptions in pharmacies.
Recently, FICCI also supported ePharmacy and reported that the industry to come up with a 'Code of Conduct' for e-Pharmacies in the country to ensure proper compliance and high standards of operation and ensure there is no compromise in patient safety.
Amazon started to move into the medicinal market in 2017, when it started exploring whether to build out a team. In 2018, it acquired PillPack, a start-up that specializes in delivering medications to the home. PillPack is a full-service pharmacy that delivers a better, simpler experience through convenient packaging, modern technology, and personalized service.
Filling trademark doesnot mean that company will immidately start functioning as online pharmacy but it is a sure signal that it has started operations to work towards online pharmacy.
The global epharmacy maket size was valued at USD 49 Bn in 2018 and expected to reach USD 177 Bn by 2026. Amazon Pharmacy will become huge challenge for already functioning Epharmacy like 1mg, Netmeds, PharmEasy etc.
Already, there are many hurdles noted so far for working of EPharmacy or online pharmacy in India. AIOCD raised concerns on patient data security through ePharmacy. Rules for licensing are not clear among big and small players. DCGI had issued a notification that Online Pharmacies cannot be functional and dispense without licence. Retail chemists and pharmacists are also opposing Epharmacy.
Now, it will be interesting to see how AMAZON Pharmacy will enter in Indian Market.
