Entering Competition With Drug Stores Amazon Launches Online Pharmacy

Amazon.com Inc. opened an online pharmacy in the U.S. on Tuesday to increase competition with drug dealers including Walgreens, CVS Health and the Walmart drugs retailers. This new shop, which is referred to as Amazon Pharmacy, allows consumers to compare rates when they purchase medications on its website or app. 

Shoppers have access to a heavy discounted checkout between their payment and a non-insurance charge for members of their Prime loyalty club. The move builds on Pill Pack, which Amazon said will continue to be acquired in 2018 by the online retailer for consumers who need multiple drug pre-sorted doses. 

In the afternoon, the share of pharmaceutical chains, medical manufacturers and grocers decreased.

The shares of Amazon increased by almost 1%. According to Jefferies Equity Research's analyst notes, Amazon has been working for two years to obtain more state shipping licenses around the world, which has hampered its expansion into the drug supply chain. 

In its statement the retailer aimed to add "customers obsession to an industry inconveniently and conveniently connected with the business founded as an online bookseller, which has disrupted the industries, including retail, computer and now potentially pharmaceutical, and which criticizes labor groups and lawmakers' s size and influence.

According to market research from J.D., the use of online drug purchasing was poor. Power. "The implementation of an online pharmacy by Amazon poses a major challenge to pharmacies in brick and mortar," said Professor Craig Garth Waite, Kellogg University School. 

The shares of the Walgreens Boots Alliance, Rite Aid and CVS dropped between 8 and 14%, while the shares of the McKesson Corp drug distributors, Cardinal Health Inc. and America Source Bergen Corp fell by between 3% and 7 per cent. 'Their discount pharmacies can now deliver more than just quick accessibility to a prescription.' Analysts from the Evercore ISI Brokerage said that Amazon injects a fresh look in an environment that has been dominated by a range of big postal pharmacies including CVS, the Cigna Corp and Unhealth's Optum.

"We're not shocked by new entrants in the intensely competitive market for pharmacies." 

Walgreen confirmed in a statement that it already provides consumers and patients with a complete and expanded range of pharmacy, health and wellness options and provides free delivery on the same day and on a later basis. "While pharmacy is a core component of our business, CVS Health does more than just a corner drugs store." 

Amazon said its non-insurance discounts apply to sales from over 50,000 brick-and-mortar drugs – even those run by competitors, should Prime members prefer shopping in person. Inside Rx, Cigna's Evernorth subsidiary, the profit is administered, Amazon said. Nevertheless the pandemic will lead to online prescription orders.

This year, e-commerce expanded as governments asked people to stay at home to avoid COVID-19 infections, and Prime Members — over 150 million worldwide — could now be receptive to online pharmaceuticals from Amazon. Prime customers are advised that they pay without insurance up to 80% off generic drugs and up to 40% off branded medications, along with a two-day shipping. The online Amazon pharmacy in Illinois, Minnesota, Louisiana, Kentucky and Hawaii isn't available yet a spokesperson said.