Amazon unveils online pharmacy

Amazon is entering the pharmacy business with a new offering called Amazon Pharmacy, allowing customers in the United States to order prescription medications for home delivery, including free delivery for Amazon Prime members.

Amazon will offer commonly prescribed medications starting Tuesday, including creams, pills, as well as medications that need to stay cold, like insulin. Shoppers have to set up a profile on Amazon's website and have doctors send prescriptions to the Seattle-based e-commerce giant.

Amazon has said that Pharmacy will integrate with the majority of US insurance plans and will have trained professionals available for consultation 24/7. It is currently available in 45 states, with Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana and Minnesota not part of the initial rollout.

Amazon has said that Prime users buying medicine over-the-counter will also see steep discounts: Up to 80 percent for generic, and 40 percent for branded goods. They can also get a benefit card that will entitle them to similar discounts at real-world retailers, including CVS and Rite-Aid. But the service isn't exclusive to Prime members, and those without can buy medicine with a five-day delivery window, or pay an extra $5.99 for expedited shipping.

The move builds on the web retailer's 2018 acquisition of PillPack, which Amazon said will remain separate for customers needing pre-sorted doses of multiple drugs.

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