Amazon is reportedly engaged in deal talks about acquiring MedPlus, the Indian pharmacy chain.
According to Reuters, citing FactorDaily, the Indian news website, sources said the talks are in the early stages. MedPlus Health Services operates more than 1,500 pharmacies in India, and also operates lab testing centers and has a surgical equipment distribution unit. “We do not comment on what we may do or may not do in the future,” an Amazon spokesperson told Reuters.
In late June, Amazon announced it had inked a deal to acquire PillPack, the pharmacy focused on people in the U.S. who take multiple daily prescriptions. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. In a press release, Amazon said it was drawn to the company because it is having a positive impact on patients’ lives. PillPack delivers medications in pre-sorted packaging, coordinates refills and renewals and ensures that shipments are sent on time.
“PillPack’s visionary team has a combination of deep pharmacy experience and a focus on technology,” said Jeff Wilke, Amazon CEO worldwide consumer, in the press release. “PillPack is meaningfully improving its customers’ lives, and we want to help them continue making it easy for people to save time, simplify their lives and feel healthier. We’re excited to see what we can do together on behalf of customers over time.”
Amazon said that the deal, which is subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions, should be completed during the second half of this year. “PillPack makes it simple for any customer to take the right medication at the right time, and feel healthier,” said TJ Parker, co-founder and CEO of PillPack. “Together with Amazon, we are eager to continue working with partners across the healthcare industry to help people throughout the U.S. who can benefit from a better pharmacy experience.”