Amazon Pharmacy to automatically apply manufacturer coupons for insulin, diabetes products
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Key takeaways:
- Customers purchasing insulin or diabetes supplies from Amazon Pharmacy will have manufacturer coupons automatically applied.
- The program will cover items from Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly, Sanofi, Dexcom and Insulet.
Amazon Pharmacy is launching new technology that will automatically apply manufacturer coupons for customers purchasing insulin and diabetes care products, according to a press release.
In the announcement, Amazon stated it has developed technology to automatically apply manufacturer coupons at checkout for pharmacy customers purchasing some of the most commonly prescribed insulin and diabetes care products from Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly, Sanofi, Dexcom and Insulet. The manufacturer coupons will cover insulin, insulin vials, pens, continuous glucose monitors and insulin pumps and could reduce out-of-pocket costs to as low as $35 per month.
“Even though upfront pricing sounds obvious, it’s a sea change in health care,” Vin Gupta, MD, MPA, chief medical officer of Amazon Pharmacy, said in the release. “As a physician, it’s heartening to know that patients will have visibility into the cost of their insulin before they stand in line or wait to speak with a pharmacist. And, if the cost isn’t what they anticipate, we can more quickly find other options that are affordable and appropriate to their care Automatically applying coupons allows patients to better access medications that are effective and affordable, and this combination can improve adherence and support better care.”
The technology comes about 8 months after a $35 monthly cap on insulin prices came into effect for Medicare Part D recipients and about 5 months after Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk and Sanofi all announced insulin price reductions or out-of-pocket caps for people with commercial insurance. In May, insulin affordability was the subject of a U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions hearing as executives from three pharmaceutical companies and three pharmacy benefit managers testified before members of Congress.
In a statement, Charles Henderson, CEO of the American Diabetes Association, said Amazon Pharmacy’s technology is a big step in improving pricing transparency for people with diabetes who are purchasing insulin.
“The ADA has been the leading voice in advocating for affordable insulin and diabetes technology,” Henderson said in a statement. “We applaud Amazon Pharmacy for innovating on behalf of people with diabetes and taking important action to help ensure they easily access the treatments they need through a transparent purchase process that automatically applies any eligible discounts.”
Reference:
The American Diabetes Association's statement on Amazon Pharmacy automatic coupons for insulin. Available at https://diabetes.org/newsroom/official-statement/2023/american-diabetes-association-statement-amazon-pharmacy-automatic-coupons-insulin. Published Aug. 15, 2023. Accessed Aug. 16, 2023.
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Amazon Pharmacy customers can now save on insulin with automatic coupons. Available at https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/retail/amazon-pharmacy-insulin-coupons. Published Aug. 15, 2023. Accessed Aug. 16, 2023.
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