Amazon announced the launch of RxPass, a prescription drug discount program for its Prime members.
The subscription service will cost $5 a month and will allow customers to fill as many prescriptions as they need from a list of about 50 generic medications, which are generally cheaper versions of brand-name drugs.
The flat fee can cover medications such as amoxicillin, naproxen and sildenafil (used to treat erectile dysfunction and high blood pressure under the brand name Viagra).
The program will be available in 42 states and Washington D.C. but does not use insurance and is not available for people with government-funded Medicaid or Medicare coverage.
Some experts believe this program could be beneficial in getting low-cost generic drugs to more patients, but it is still being determined how much of an impact it will have.
Additionally, the program will not replace traditional insurance; customers will still need to pay full price for any prescriptions not on the list of 50 generic drugs.
It is also important to note that Amazon already sells a range of generic drugs through its pharmacy service, some of which already cost as little as $1 for a 30-day supply.
The benefit of this new program will vary by customer, and it will be important for individuals to compare the cost of their current prescription drug plan to the cost of the RxPass subscription.
Overall, the launch of RxPass highlights Amazon’s continued expansion into the healthcare industry and the growing trend of companies offering subscription-based services for prescription drugs.
Amazon’s new prescription drug discount program, RxPass, has been met with some skepticism.
The program, which is limited to Amazon Prime customers, offers a subscription service for $5 a month that allows customers to fill as many prescriptions as they need from a list of about 50 generic medications.
However, economist Karen Van Nuys of the University of Southern California said that other options like the Mark Cuban CostPlus Drug Co. offer a wider range of generic drugs, many for under $5.
This raises questions about whether the program is truly expanding access to new patients.
Despite this, the move could help Amazon gain a foothold in the healthcare market, an area where the company has struggled in the past.
With its acquisition of primary care organization One Medical for $3.9 billion and the launch of Amazon Clinic, a messaging service connecting patients with doctors for common conditions, Amazon is making a clear push to become a major player in the healthcare industry.
Furthermore, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is currently investigating Amazon’s proposed buyout of One Medical.
The company has previously attempted to enter the healthcare market through ventures such as Amazon Care, a hybrid virtual, in-home care service, and Haven, a company created in collaboration with JPMorgan and Berkshire Hathaway to improve health costs, but both of these initiatives were shut down after failing to gain traction.
It remains to be seen how successful Amazon will be in its current healthcare ventures, but the company’s sheer size and resources give it a strong advantage in the market.
Additionally, with the increasing trend of consumers turning to online options for healthcare, Amazon’s online drug store and other healthcare services will likely gain more traction than its previous initiatives.
Amazon’s new prescription drug discount program, RxPass, is a new push by the company to expand its healthcare offerings to its prime members.
While the program is met with skepticism by experts, the company’s massive resources and the growing trend of people turning to online options for healthcare may allow Amazon to gain a significant foothold in the healthcare industry.
