Amazon now adds pharma coupons automatically

Shoppers who are unlikely to save money on their prescription medication by clipping coupons or hunting for their digital counterparts online can now get those discounts automatically through Amazon. 

The online retail powerhouse on Wednesday announced the launch of “Coupons on Amazon Pharmacy,” which automatically applies any coupons available to any pharmaceutical purchases made through the Amazon app or online portal.  

The announcement noted that only 15% of shoppers use manufacturer-sponsored coupons. This is in part due to the difficulty in finding the coupons, downloading necessary forms, enrolling in a program for eligibility or sometimes having to contact the manufacturer. “We believe it should be much easier for patients to find and afford clinical solutions,” the company said in a press release. 

Amazon noted in the announcement that it is working with pharmaceutical companies GSK, Kaléo, Novo Nordisk and Dexcom to include medications such as Trelegy, AUVI-Q, Wegovy and both G6 and G7 continuous glucose monitoring systems, among others.  

“Now, eligible patients can seamlessly access savings on novel, brand-name therapies for the treatment of diabetes, asthma, emphysema, obesity and other conditions,” the company said. “Amazon Pharmacy will automatically apply these coupons at checkout when eligible, meaning patients no longer have the burden of finding and applying coupons, and can focus on managing their care. No clipping, clicking, or downloading.” 

Amazon added that members of its Amazon Prime program can also receive discounts of up to 80% on medications at more than 60,000 participating pharmacies. They can also save on prescriptions through RxPass, a Prime program that offers unlimited prescription medications for $5 a month. 

The coupon program follows Amazon’s continued push into the pharmaceutical drug market. The company launched RxPass in January, which focuses on patients who are not using insurance for their medications.  

“Prime members already get fast, free delivery on prescription medications, and RxPass is one more way to save with Amazon Pharmacy,” John Love, vice president of Amazon Pharmacy, said in January. “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.”