Amazon Pharmacy launches RxPass

Retail giant Amazon has announced RxPass, a new Prime membership benefit from Amazon Pharmacy for customers in the US.

Patients will be able to get affordable access to commonly prescribed generic medications for more than 80 common conditions, such as high blood pressure, anxiety and allergies.

With RxPass, Prime members can receive all of their eligible medications for one monthly fee of $5, with no cost for delivery.

To enrol in RxPass, Prime members go to Amazon.com or its app to create or update their Amazon Pharmacy profile. Customers are guided through a sign-up process that verifies eligibility and prescription information. If they have questions during the enrolment process or after a prescription arrives, Amazon pharmacists are available 24/7 to coordinate with a customer’s doctor or help with refills.

Dr Vin Gupta, Pulmonologist and Chief Medical Officer for Amazon Pharmacy, added: “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.

“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 healthcare system make what should be easy, difficult. It’s why I feel so fortunate to be a part of the change that Amazon Pharmacy is helping to bring to this space.”

Prime members don’t need to be paying for health insurance to use the service either, but Amazon Pharmacy and PillPack by Amazon Pharmacy does welcome most plans and offer transparent pricing for those using insurance to pay for prescription medication.