Business · Companies · 4 hrs ago
Mercado Livre and iFood add partner pharmacies to their marketplaces
Mercado Livre and iFood have begun adding partner pharmacies to their marketplaces in Brazil.
Online sales now make up about 15% of Brazil’s pharmacy retail, twice their share two years ago.
The platforms can bring pharmacies more customers, but also make prices easier to compare and may give the platforms more influence over access to shoppers.
After the announcement, shares in Pague Menos, RD Saúde and Panvel fell by 8%, 5.4% and 4.9%, respectively.
Abrafarma took the issue to Anvisa, which has begun work on rules for pharmacies that use digital platforms.
In September, Anvisa asked Mercado Livre for information about its sale of prescription medicines, including licences, prescription checks and delivery conditions.
The rules could shape how pharmacies use these platforms, as the marketplace companies seek to expand and pharmacies weigh a new sales channel against greater dependence on them.
Mercado Livre and iFood have started adding partner pharmacies to their marketplaces as online medicine sales gain ground in Brazil.
Online sales account for about 15% of Brazil’s pharmaceutical retail market, twice their share two years ago.
Brazil’s pharmaceutical sector recorded sales of R$130.2 billion in the first half of the year, up 10.1% from the same period in 2025.
The platforms offer pharmacies access to a large customer base, but may also increase competition over prices and visibility.
Abrafarma referred the issue to Anvisa, which has begun work on rules for pharmacies’ use of digital platforms.
- Who
- Mercado Livre, iFood and partner pharmacies.
- What
- The marketplaces have started adding partner pharmacies.
- When
- The article was published on October 21, 2026; the start date is not stated.
- Where
- Brazil.
- Why
- The platforms are adding a new consumer category, while pharmacies may gain another sales channel and access to a wider audience.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Online sales accounted for about half their current share of Brazil’s pharmaceutical retail market.
Brazil’s pharmaceutical sector recorded lower sales than in the first half of 2026.
The sector recorded sales of R$130.2 billion, up 10.1% from the same period in 2025.
Anvisa notified Mercado Livre about sales of prescription medicines and requested information on safeguards and licences.
Estadão reported that Mercado Livre and iFood had started adding partner pharmacies to their marketplaces.
- Online share
- About 15% of Brazil’s pharmaceutical retail market
- Sector sales
- R$130.2 billion in the first half of 2026
- Year-on-year growth
- 10.1% in the first half of 2026
- Mercado Livre visits
- 209 million in Brazil in August
- Digital medicine purchase average
- R$82.37 in the first half of 2026