Amazon Launches $5-Flat Generic Prescription Boxes For Prime Subscribers

When you’re feeling under the weather, one of the last things you’d want to do is peel yourself out of bed to get dressed for a visit to the pharmacy. Amazon is now saving you the trip with the RxPass, a new monthly perk to the Prime subscription that promises affordable access to medications for common conditions.

RxPass offers treatments for over 80 common ailments, and it packs as many eligible medications into one box for a flat fee of US$5. Delivery is free, says Amazon. The benefit isn’t integrated with health insurance, so there’s no fuss over deductibles or copays.

The tech giant estimates that more than 150 Americans are taking one or more of the medications provided in the RxPass, including treatments for high blood pressure, anxiety, and acid reflux. It also quotes research suggesting that a quarter of adults struggle to afford the medicine they need, and a service like Prime’s RxPass would be beneficial to them.

“I have seen patients with chronic diseases struggle to get access to the basic medications they need to live their lives well,” explains Dr Vin Gupta, a practicing pulmonologist and the Chief Medical Officer at Amazon Pharmacy. “New medications don’t get filled, refills don’t get picked up, and patients suffer. Aspects of our health care system make what should be easy, difficult.”

Amazon Pharmacy anticipates that RXPass will make medication more accessible and cost-effective for the public, all while giving the support and convenience that customers have come to expect from their Prime subscriptions.

Subscribers can additionally get discounts of up to 80% on generic medications and up to 40% on brand-name products through a Prime prescription savings benefit, CNBC reports.

As per Axios, the all-in-one generic medication box is another perk Amazon is introducing to justify its increased Prime membership prices. Monthly fees have risen from US$12.99 to US$14.99 since 2018, with an annual subscription now demanding US$20 more in total. In the wake of the price hike, the company has amped up Amazon Music support and rolled out a GrubHub+ feature.

RxPass is now available in most US states, with assistance by Amazon pharmacies or support staff at the ready 24/7. To access the add-on, simply head over to the Amazon Pharmacy website or app. For eligibility criteria, please check here.

[via Axios, CNBC, About Amazon, images via Amazon]