Pune: Ride-hailing platform Uber has announced to provide access to prescription and other over-the-counter medicines amidst the ongoing national lockdown to the residents across Pune along with four other cities in India. This move is seen as an attempt to revive the new sources of revenue generation.

Uber has announced a partnership on Monday with Medlife to provide facilities to Kolkata, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Lucknow and including Pune.

“During these challenging times, we are committed to the well-being of our communities and to ensure that they stay healthy and safe. Through this service, we continue to provide earnings opportunities for the drivers too,” said Shiva Shailendran, Uber General Manager North India. 

According to the officials of the company, Uber is leveraging its technology and vast network of delivery partners to support Medlife in delivering medicines safely to consumers’ doorsteps so they can continue to observe government guidelines for reducing the spread of COVID-19.

Manish Garg, Medlife Head of Supply Chain Management, commented on the “fruitful” partnership 

“Our aim is to ensure timely and hassle-free delivery of all essential medical supplies to our customers. Uber has the capabilities and mode to help us tide through this phase, and we look forward to a very fruitful partnership in the days ahead,” he said.

However, the Uber said in a statement that in light of government guidelines and to maintain safety and hygiene levels for containing the spread of COVID-19, all drivers associated with this service are being provided with the masks, gloves, sanitisers and safety training.

All the safety precautions will be taken, including the strict following of the rules. Uber was launched in Pune city in 2018 and was one of the first few cities to have this facility.