Tmall to start selling cosmetics, medical goods from Apr 18

MOSCOW, Apr 12 (PRIME) -- Internet platform Tmall, a part of China’s AliExpress, will offer cosmetics and medical goods in Russia from April 18 and intends to sell over-the-counter (OTC) medications in the future, Tmall said on Friday in a statement.

“We believe that successful experience of medical goods sales will help us open sales of OTC medications in the future,” Dmitry Selikhov, head of development of Tmall in Russia, said.

The medical goods section will comprise contact lenses and solutions, as well as home medical equipment, like temperature and blood pressure sensors. Tmall’s first partners will be brand Optic City and distributor Pharmacosmetica.

Medications will be sold in partnership with large pharmacy chains.

“Pharmacy chains can use their logistics and pick-up points and use the possibilities of cooperation with the multi-million audience of AliExpress,” Selikhov said.

A bill permitting online sales of OTC medications was approved in the first out of three mandatory readings in late 2017, but later work was suspended. Pharmaceutical companies can offer clients only to book goods and collect them afterward.

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