Amazon Launches Subscription Prescription Drug Service

Amazon is adding a prescription drug discount programme to its growing healthcare business.

The retail giant said on Tuesday that it would launch RxPass, a subscription service for customers who have Prime memberships.

It said “people will pay $5 a month 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 company said the flat fee could cover a list of medications like the antibiotic amoxicillin and the anti-inflammatory drug naproxen. Sildenafil also made the list. It’s used to treat erectile dysfunction under the brand name Viagra and also treats a form of high blood pressure.

Amazon said Prime members who participate in the programme can get discounts of up to 80% off generic medications and 40% off brand-name drugs at more than 60,000 pharmacies around the U.S.

“Most health insurance programmes are accepted,” the company noted.

Mercy Chukwudiebere