By Brazil Stock Guide – Mercado Livre Inc. (MELI) has begun selling over-the-counter medicines in Brazil through a pilot program in São Paulo, marking its entry into the country’s pharmaceutical retail sector. The rollout, launched Tuesday (31), focuses on non-prescription products such as painkillers, vitamins and antacids, with delivery times of up to three hours in select neighborhoods including Vila Mariana, Paraíso and Itaim.
The initiative is part of the company’s broader push to expand its ecosystem of services in Latin America’s largest economy. Products are offered through a dedicated section of the platform, supported by logistics monitoring and pharmacist assistance to guide consumers during purchases.
The move follows Mercado Livre’s acquisition of Farmácia Cuidamos last year and builds on its existing pharmaceutical operations in markets such as Mexico, Colombia, Argentina and Chile. The São Paulo pilot will serve as a testing ground for a potential nationwide rollout.
Senior marketplace director for Brazil, Tulio Landin, said the project aims to address gaps in both online and offline access to medicines. “Today, consumers still face limitations both online, with few options, and offline, where product shortages, price comparison challenges and distance from stores are common,” he said.
Landin added that the long-term goal is to develop a broader pharmaceutical marketplace connecting pharmacies of different sizes across Brazil. “Our objective is to actively contribute to democratizing access to this segment, with greater transparency, competitiveness and convenience for consumers,” he said.