Just ahead of Black Friday 2020, Amazon is rolling out its latest initiative. In the midst of its own government regulation issues, the online giant is now turning its attention to another area of our lives: prescription drugs. Amazon Pharmacy allows shoppers to buy their various prescriptions directly online with, you guessed it, added perks for Prime members. If you’re part of Amazon’s fast delivery program, you’ll be able to save “up to 80%” off regular prices in comparison to paying without insurance alongside 2-day shipping and other perks. Full details on today’s announcement can be found below.
Amazon Pharmacy: Because why not?
We’ve heard rumblings for years that Amazon had eyes on getting into the pharmaceutical business, so today’s announcement comes as no surprise. Of course, it’s timing, in the middle of a raging global pandemic will raise some eyebrows.
Amazon is touting privacy first and foremost as part of today’s news, promising that users will be able to access a “secure pharmacy profile” with medical history, previous orders, insurance data, and the like. Something that’s likely to be criticized by those already concerned about Amazon’s data collection habits.
While Amazon has long been rumored as a candidate for their own insurance offering, today’s news somewhat sidesteps that idea and focuses on what a Prime membership can deliver. If you have a subscription to Amazon’s membership plan, and are willing to purchase sans insurance, it can deliver “up to 80% off generic and 40% off brand name medications.”
Here’s a full breakdown of Amazon’s new service:
- Research Medications and Order Confidently: The same browsing experience customers are familiar with from Amazon makes it easy to discover what medications – including branded and generic versions, and different forms or dosages – are available through Amazon Pharmacy. Before checking out customers can compare their insurance co-pay, the price without insurance, or the available savings with the new Prime prescription savings benefit to choose their lowest price option.
- Seamless Transactions: Customers can add insurance information and ask their prescriber to send new or existing prescriptions directly to Amazon Pharmacy for fulfilment. Purchase is as simple as confirming the request on the Amazon App or website.
- Access Fully Digital, Personalized Quality Care: Customers haveonline self-service help options combined with phone access to customer care at any time. Friendly and knowledgeable pharmacists are available 24/7 to answer questions about medications.
You can check out everything that Amazon Pharmacy has to offer on this landing page that just popped up. Expect for there to be some hiccups in the coming months as this service gets off the ground, but I do think that there will be benefits not yet realized over the course of 2021 and beyond as Amazon fixes any kinks.
Source: Amazon
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