Amazon Launches Online Pharmacy, New Savings Program

Meet the latest store on Amazon.com—Amazon Pharmacy—a new marketplace that invites customers to complete their pharmacy transactions on their desktop or mobile device through the Amazon App. Using a secure pharmacy profile, customers can add their insurance information, manage prescriptions and choose payment options before checking out. Prime members receive unlimited, free two-day delivery on orders from Amazon Pharmacy included with their membership.

But Amazon isn’t stopping there. The Seattle-based e-tailer giant is also offering its Prime members savings on medications at Amazon Pharmacy when paying without insurance, as well as at over 50,000 other participating pharmacies nationwide. The Amazon Prime prescription savings benefit saves members up to 80% off generic and 40% off brand name medications when paying without insurance, according to the company. Prime members can access these prescription savings at checkout on Amazon Pharmacy.

“We designed Amazon Pharmacy to put customers first—bringing Amazon’s customer obsession to an industry that can be inconvenient and confusing,” said T.J. Parker, VP of Amazon Pharmacy, in a statement. “We work hard behind the scenes to handle complications seamlessly so anyone who needs a prescription can understand their options, place their order for the lowest available price, and have their medication delivered quickly.”

Through its Amazon Prime prescription savings benefit and Amazon Pharmacy, the company is seeking to simplify the customer process of comparing prices and purchasing medications for home delivery. Before check 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 the lowest price option.

Amazon Pharmacy customers will also find online self-service help options combined with 24/7 phone access to pharmacists who are available to answer questions about medications.

“We understand the importance of access to affordable medication, and we believe Prime members will find tremendous value with the new Amazon Prime prescription savings benefit,” said Jamil Ghani, VP, Amazon Prime, in a release. “Our goal is for Prime to make members’ lives easier and more convenient every day, and we’re excited to extend the incredible savings, seamless shopping experience, and fast, free delivery members know and love with Prime to Amazon Pharmacy.”

Amazon says it will continue to offer PillPack by Amazon Pharmacy—a service for customers managing multiple daily medications for chronic conditions—as part of Amazon Pharmacy. The company is encouraging customers who take multiple daily medications and prefer pre-sorted dose packaging to continue using PillPack.