Ozon Explores Entry into the Veterinary Pharmacy Market

Marketplace operator Ozon is exploring a broader role in the pharmacy sector. The company has registered the trademarks Ozon Pharmacy and Ozon Veterinary Pharmacy and is testing delivery of over-the-counter medicines from dedicated pharmaceutical warehouses. According to Izvestia, the company will decide on further expansion after evaluating the pilot project.

At present, the initiative is focused on non-prescription medicines for human use. However, the registration of the Ozon Veterinary Pharmacy brand has renewed attention to the long-running debate over online sales of veterinary medicines through marketplaces.

One of the main concerns raised by industry participants is the ability to verify the origin and handling conditions of products offered through online platforms. The National Association of the Pet Industry has repeatedly highlighted cases in which veterinary medicines were sold by vendors lacking the licenses required for pharmaceutical activities.

Previous market monitoring by Rosselkhoznadzor identified instances of veterinary medicines of unknown origin being offered on marketplaces. In one case, antiparasitic medicine Bravecto was listed for sale, although its origin could not be confirmed by official suppliers.

In 2025, the National Association of the Pet Industry submitted requests to the Ministry of Agriculture, Rosselkhoznadzor, Roszdravnadzor and other authorities seeking clarification on the legality of veterinary medicine sales through marketplaces. Regulatory responses emphasized that the sale of animal medicines is a licensed activity and that compliance with legal requirements remains the responsibility of sellers.

The issue has also been discussed at meetings of the Public Council under Rosselkhoznadzor. According to Kirill Dmitriev, Executive Director of the National Association of the Pet Industry, marketplaces are becoming an increasingly important sales channel, but supplier verification procedures and product traceability mechanisms require further development.

Industry observers note that growing interest from major e-commerce platforms in the pharmacy segment is not surprising. According to Izvestia, Ozon sold more than 5.8 million packs of over-the-counter medicines in 2025, generating ₽3.3 billion (approximately $42 million) in sales. However, when it comes to veterinary medicines, licensing requirements, product traceability and consumer protection remain as important as channel expansion itself.

The registration of the Ozon Veterinary Pharmacy trademark does not yet signal the launch of a dedicated veterinary medicines service. Nevertheless, it suggests that marketplaces continue to evaluate opportunities in the animal health sector, while industry associations and regulators intensify discussions on how to ensure legal compliance and product safety in online sales channels.