What customers are ordering and what pharmacies should know
Across the UK, more and more customers are turning to delivery apps like Just Eat and Uber Eats to order everyday pharmacy and health products from local pharmacies. In fact, data from Just Eat Takeaway.com shows that over two million health and beauty purchases were made through their platform last year alone.
For community pharmacies, this shift offers a powerful opportunity: reach new customers, increase retail sales and stay competitive, all without changing how the pharmacy operates day to day.
So what exactly are customers ordering?
Based on trends across delivery platforms and LUDA Partners’ experience supporting pharmacies in the UK, here are the most common pharmacy product categories that perform best on delivery apps.
Why pharmacy products sell so well on delivery apps
Customers using delivery apps tend to be:
- Looking for immediate solutions
- Choosing convenience over brand loyalty
- Making decisions quickly
That means the products that perform best are typically urgent, everyday, and easy to understand, rather than niche or highly specialised.
This translates into high-volume, repeatable sales, especially when stock is accurate and listings are well structured.
1. Cold, flu & pain relief
This is consistently one of the top-performing categories on delivery apps. Just Eat reported over 68,000 over-the-counter products sold last year, with Paracetamol and Ibuprofen being the most popular items.
Common bestsellers include:
- Paracetamol and ibuprofen
- Cold & flu combination products
- Throat lozenges and sprays
- Nasal sprays and decongestants
Why they sell well:
- Customers often order when they feel unwell and don’t want to leave home
- Demand spikes in evenings, weekends, and winter months
Products are familiar and require minimal explanation
For pharmacies, this category drives high order frequency, especially during seasonal peaks.
2. Baby & family health products
Parents are among the most frequent users of pharmacy delivery services. This category is so vital that it accounts for 30% of total health sales on the JET platform.
Common orders include:
- Nappies
- Hygiene products (baby wipes)
- Baby pain and fever relief
- Teething products
- Thermometers
Why they sell well:
- Urgency (especially outside standard hours)
- Strong preference for trusted local pharmacies
- Repeat purchasing behaviour
Insight: One recent order included 176 nappies and 30 packets of wipes in a single delivery!
This category often sees high customer loyalty once a pharmacy becomes a go-to option.
- Sexual health & women’s health
Discretion is a major driver for this category. Many consumers feel embarrassed purchasing these items in person and prefer the «doorstep delivery» model.
Top items: Pregnancy tests (over 44,000 sold on Just Eat last year), condoms and lubricants.
Why they sell: Just Eat sees over 120,000 searches for condoms and 72,000 for lubes annually. Customers value the ultimate discretion that app-based ordering provides.
4. Vitamins, supplements & immunity products
Vitamins and supplements perform particularly well due to their repeat-purchase nature.
Popular products include:
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin C
- Multivitamins
- Zinc and immunity blends
Why they sell well:
- Customers reorder regularly
- Products are easy to bundle
- Demand remains steady year-round
Pharmacies that keep this category well stocked often benefit from consistent baseline sales, not just seasonal spikes.
- Personal care, beauty & gifting
Beauty and skincare are now «glow-ups delivered in 30 minutes.»
Top items: Hair dye (the most sought-after beauty product), skincare basics and fragrances.
Why they sell: «TikTok Made Me Buy It.» Social media trends drive instant demand for viral brands. Additionally, delivery apps are becoming the go-to for last-minute gifting, sales for fragrance and skincare can increase 8-10x on occasions like Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day.
6. Allergy & seasonal relief
Allergy products perform strongly during spring and summer, but remain relevant year-round.
Top items include:
- Antihistamines
- Eye drops
- Nasal sprays
Why they sell well:
- Sudden symptom onset
- Customers want fast relief
- Clear use cases
Seasonal categories like this benefit greatly from good visibility on delivery apps, especially when demand spikes unexpectedly.
What makes these products perform well on delivery apps?
Across all categories, high-performing pharmacy listings tend to share the same traits:
- Products are clearly described with high-quality images
- Stock availability is accurate
- Items are regularly stocked
- Categories are well structured
- Substitutions are handled correctly
This is where many pharmacies struggle, not with demand, but with operational complexity.
How LUDA Partners helps pharmacies maximise delivery sales
LUDA Partners is not a patient-facing app. We are the technology connector that integrates pharmacies with delivery platforms like Just Eat and Uber Eats.
For pharmacies, LUDA:
- Manages catalogue setup and optimisation
- Keeps listings accurate and compliant
- Supports updates
- Reduces manual admin for pharmacy teams
- Takes care of marketing and customer service
Pharmacies don’t need to manage each platform separately. With LUDA, it’s one integration, multiple channels.
Importantly:
- There are no fixed costs
- Pharmacies only pay a 10% fee to LUDA when they sell
- No fees are paid directly to delivery apps
- Pharmacies remain in full control of fulfilment
What this means for pharmacies in 2026 and beyond
The «age of instant gratification» is here. Customers no longer want to wait 24 hours (not even 2 hours) for a pharmacy essential, they want it in 20 minutes. By making your inventory available on the apps your customers already use, you’re providing a modern community service.
Delivery apps are becoming an extension of the high street and pharmacies that adapt early are already seeing the benefits.
The most successful pharmacies aren’t changing what they sell.
They’re changing how customers can access it.
Want to see if delivery apps make sense for your pharmacy?
Whether you’re an independent pharmacy or a multi-branch group, LUDA Partners can help you assess:
- Which products perform best
- Whether your current setup is suitable
- How to go live without disrupting daily operations
👉 Contact LUDA Partners to explore how UK pharmacies are growing sales through delivery apps with minimal effort and maximum impact.