Amazon launches $5 prescription services program
Amazon is launching a $5 prescription medication subscription dubbed RxPass, offering members a flat price for generic medications.
The medications included in the program treat more than 80 conditions, including high blood pressure, anxiety and acid reflux. Members of the program pay a $5 monthly rate and can have their medications shipped to them for the low, bundled rate. The offering is already available to U.S. customers through the Amazon Pharmacy website.
The RxPass is a new Prime membership benefit through Amazon Pharmacy, and Prime members can have as many eligible medications as they need under the $5 rate. According to Amazon, 150 million Americans take one or more of the prescription medications included in RxPass. Additionally, nearly half of adults take two or more medications daily, and another quarter of adults report having difficulty affording the medications they need.
“Over the last decade as a practicing pulmonologist, I have seen patients with chronic diseases struggle to get access to the basic medications they need to live their lives well,” Vin Gupta, MD, chief medical officer of Amazon Pharmacy, wrote in a blog post announcing RxPass. “Navigating insurance can be a maze and getting to the pharmacy a burden. Sometimes that has led to poor outcomes: New medications don’t get filled, refills don’t get picked up, and patients suffer. Aspects of our healthcare system make what should be easy, difficult. It’s why I feel so fortunate to be a part of the change that Amazon Pharmacy is helping to bring to this space.”
Amazon has made several significant changes to its healthcare strategy in the last few years, including shutting down its Amazon Care clinics at the end of 2022. In addition, Amazon is currently acquiring One Medical, a primary care organization, for $3.9 billion. Amazon also recently launched a telehealth service, Amazon Clinic, with the aim to offer virtual care services to its customers.
The RxPass is just the latest new addition to Amazon’s healthcare services. As the e-commerce giant continues to expand its healthcare reach, more stakeholders are viewing the conglomerate as a bigger and bigger threat in the space. One recent survey found health tech experts view Amazon as their No. 1 threat to the core business of health systems.
Amy joined TriMed Media as a Senior Writer for HealthExec after covering home care for three years. When not writing about all things healthcare, she fulfills her lifelong dream of becoming a pirate by sailing in regattas and enjoying rum. Fun fact: she sailed 333 miles across Lake Michigan in the Chicago Yacht Club "Race to Mackinac."