Pharmacy chain MedPlus on Friday rolled out an e-commerce facility for customers in Hyderabad to order medicines online and collect the same from any of the 220 stores near them.

As an introductory offer, MedPlus is offering a discount of 15 per cent on medicines and 5-30 per cent on FMCG products purchased online. More than the discount, it is the accompanying convenience that will make a difference to users of the ‘Click, Pick & Save’ facility, MedPlus Health Services founder and CEO Madhukar Gangadi said at the formal launch of the facility.

With over 1,200 stores across the country, the company plans to extend the service to 50 cities in two years. Bengaluru and Chennai are the other cities where MedPlus has more than 200 stores, he said.

On why home delivery was not being offered to customers ordering medicines online, he said it was not permitted under law.

Explaining the benefits of the new facility, COO Surendra Mantena said the portal provides information about the medicine, the ‘dos and don’t’ and the alternatives, besides offering a host of other FMCG products. Customers ordering medicine need to furnish their prescription at the time of picking up the order, whereas home delivery of other products is available.

MedPlus is looking to have a network of 10,000 stores in three years, Dr.Gangadi said. It was in talks to raise $50-75 million of PE funds in six months, he added.

So far, the investment in the company has been $30 million and with the fresh funds, the company planned to build new facilities.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Special Correspondent / Hyderabad – March 28th, 2015