Uber Partners with Cure for Medicine Deliveries in Germany

Uber is expanding its footprint in the healthcare sector in Germany through a collaboration with Cure, an online pharmacy platform. This partnership will enable users to order over-the-counter (OTC) medications, cosmetics, dietary supplements, and skincare products via the Uber Eats app.

According to Uber, around 70 pharmacies across 25 cities, including major metropolitan areas like Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, and Cologne, are participating in this initiative. The collaboration boasts a diverse product catalog with over 8,500 items available for delivery. The expected delivery timeframe is approximately 30 minutes, although the delivery fee may differ depending on the location.

Moritz Bernhard, General Manager of Uber Direct and Grocery & Retail in Germany, emphasized the integration of local pharmacies into the Uber Eats app, while also noting the ongoing collaboration with various online retailers through Uber Direct in the pharmacy sector.

This move is part of a broader strategy for Uber, which has already established similar partnerships in countries like the United Kingdom, positioning itself to compete in the online pharmacy market and expand its offerings within the global health market.

Cure has also partnered with other delivery services, such as Lieferando and Wolt, aiming to integrate local pharmacies into various online platforms. The company claims that it can generate up to 1,200 additional orders per month for each pharmacy involved in its network, enhancing local pharmacy visibility and accessibility.

Uber's venture into the pharmacy delivery space is not without its challenges. Previously, the company had collaborated with the Berlin-based startup Mayd, which unfortunately declared bankruptcy in 2024. The factors leading to this failure included a challenging financial environment, inflation, a decline in consumer spending, and delays in the implementation of electronic prescriptions.

In recent years, numerous startups attempted to launch medicine delivery services, but many faced fierce competition, rising interest rates, and setbacks related to electronic prescription systems, leading to a wave of insolvencies in this sector.

As Uber continues to innovate and adapt to the evolving healthcare landscape, this partnership with Cure reflects a significant step towards improving access to essential health products in Germany.