Amazon intensifies healthcare push with $5 monthly subscription

January 30, 2023 : Amazon.com Inc stated recently it is offering a $5 monthly subscription system for U.S. Prime members that will shield a range of generic drugs and its doorstep delivery, furthering the e-commerce giant’s push into healthcare.

The program, called RxPass, includes over 50 medications addressing over 80 chronic illnesses such as high blood pressure, stress, diabetes and male pattern baldness, Vin Gupta, Amazon Pharmacy’s chief medical officer, informed Reuters.

However, clients enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid or any other government healthcare agenda will not be able to enroll in Amazon Pharmacy’s RxPass assistance.

The normal Prime member would save about $100 every year with RxPass, John Love, vice president of Amazon Pharmacy, stated in a discussion. Amazon Prime members in numerous U.S. states can register for the plan from Tuesday.

The flat fee of $5 charge would be minus insurance and on top of the Prime membership fee, which charges $139 per year in the United States.

The latest service aligns with Amazon’s ongoing emphasis on its healthcare portfolio, which has included drug delivery,  telehealth, fitness trackers, and cancer research over recent time.

Amazon’s acquisition of online pharmacy PillPack in 2018 helped the retail giant set up a prescription delivery and price-comparison location. Now, its Pharmacy initiative poses a growing danger to drugstore retailers CVS Health Corp and Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc.

“We acknowledge a lot of Americans, particularly those that suffer from a chronic disease, are going to benefit from just Amazon’s participation in pharmacy, the capacity to get high-quality experience delivered to your door at low price,” Love expressed.