Amazon Pharmacy — which launched in 2020 — has signed off on a new partnership to provide more accessibility to cheaper drugs.
According to The Verge, the company is offering a new program where Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance customers can pay less out-of-pocket for their prescriptions.
As of now, the drug discount card is available for Blue customers in New Jersey, Nebraska, Alabama, Florida, and Kansas.
How The Program Works
The discounts will apply to customers using a MedsYourWay card when they purchase their medications on Amazon Pharmacy, according to the outlet.
Customers will also be able to save on their drugs while its costs will still go to their insurance deductibles, which is commonly atypical in healthcare plans.
“They can be free to choose whatever’s cheapest and not have to worry about what applies to their out-of-pocket maximum or the deductible because both apply,” Dr. Nworah Ayogu, chief medical officer for Amazon Pharmacy shared at a ViVe panel, according to MobiHealthNews.
The Cost Plus Drug Company
In support of the same mission of affordability like Amazon Pharmacy, Mark Cuban launched his online pharmacy — The Cost Plus Drug Company — in January 2022.
As previously reported by AfroTech, the billionaire’s company provides low prices on common medications and customers pay for the pills based on what it costs to make. His act of disrupting the pharmaceutical supply chain isn’t solely for his own personal gain, but rather for the general public.
“I want to be above break even while maximizing the number of people who can afford their medications,” Cuban told TechCrunch. “Shoot. I would be happy if we can make a little, but push pricing of generics sold elsewhere down significantly.”
He continued: “Our challenge is to keep pushing prices lower. Our KPI is how much we can reduce the stress of our patients who buy generic meds. When people save a lot of money on their medications, they often will tell others they know that have the same challenges. That word of mouth impacts our growth the most.”
