Amazon launches discount prescription drug service

Amazon has further expanded its reach into health care with a new discount prescription drug program.

The company announced Tuesday that through its RxPass program, Prime members will be able to purchase eligible medications for $5 per month. The subscription service includes generic medications that treat more than 80 common conditions like anxiety, acid reflux and high BP, according to a company press release.

Though the program offers low-cost generic drugs, previous research has shown that the cost of specialty drugs accounted for half of total drug spending in 2021. The United States spent $421 billion on retail drugs that year, and the spending is primarily driven by a few very expensive products.

“Any customer who pays more than $10 a month for their eligible medications will see their prescription costs drop by 50% or more, plus they save time by skipping a trip to the pharmacy,” John Love, vice president of Amazon Pharmacy, said in the release. “We are excited to offer our customers surprisingly simple, low pricing on the eligible medications they need each month.”

RxPass marks Amazon’s latest push into health care. In July, the corporation agreed to acquire One Medical, a San Francisco-based network of primary care providers, in a $3.9 billion deal. Then, in November, Amazon launched Amazon Clinic, a message-based virtual health service that offers care for more than 20 common conditions like acne and allergies.

Vin Gupta, MD MPA, the chief medical officer of Amazon Pharmacy, said in a statement that “It’s estimated that more than 150 million Americans take one or more of the medications available through the RxPass monthly subscription.”

“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,” Gupta said. “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 health care system make what should be easy, difficult.”

Along with anyone not signed up for Amazon Prime, the program is not available for people with government-funded insurance like Medicare or Medicaid or for people who live in California, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington, according to the company.

References:

• Amazon Pharmacy. https://pharmacy.amazon.com/rxpass. Accessed Jan. 25, 2023.
• Amazon Pharmacy introduces RxPass: Unlimited prescription medications for only $5 a month, delivered free to your door — available exclusively for Prime members. https://press.aboutamazon.com/2023/1/amazon-pharmacy-introduces-rxpass-unlimited-prescription-medications-for-only-5-a-month-delivered-free-to-your-door-available-exclusively-for-prime-members. Published Jan. 25, 2023. Accessed Jan. 25, 2023.
• Introducing Amazon Clinic, a virtual health service that delivers convenient, affordable care for common conditions. https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/retail/what-is-amazon-clinic. Published Nov. 15, 2022. Accessed Jan. 25, 2023.
• Introducing RxPass from Amazon Pharmacy, a $5 prescription subscription that helps Prime members who take multiple medications save time and money. https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/retail/introducing-rxpass-from-amazon-pharmacy-a-5-prescription-subscription-that-helps-prime-members-who-take-multiple-medications-save-time-and-money. Published Jan. 24, 2023. Accessed Jan. 25, 2023.