More than 500 pharmacies have launched takeaway services in Ningbo, East China's Zhejiang province to date, according to official data. 

The move is an effort by local authorities to meet rising demand for medicine delivery among the public on the back of the COVID-19 epidemic.

Medicine will be delivered directly to the doorsteps of customers who place orders on the online stores of pharmacies or on third-party delivery platforms like Meituan and Eleme.

In early March, local market supervision authorities initiated a campaign to introduce pharmacies with 24-hour takeaway services.

Initially, only 452 stores belonging to 10 pharmaceutical companies were included in the program, selling non-prescription drugs, medical devices, and other health-related products.

This figure has now climbed to over 500. As of July 13, 75 pharmacies had been granted permits to provide 24-hour takeaway services and sell prescription drugs on a trial basis. 

Twelve categories of drugs for chronic diseases included in provincial and municipal medical insurance systems are currently listed as pilot varieties.