Posted on 09/21/2017 2:12:13 AM PDT by buckalfa
Amazon is reportedly communicating with pharmacy benefit managers about potential drug contracts, according to a Leerink Partners analysis cited by CNBC.
Amazon has been hiring more healthcare leaders and expanding its drug and medical supply distribution in recent months, spurring rumors the online retailer is stepping into the pharmacy business.
The company may "indeed be in conversations with some middle-market PBMs now, in an effort to get into various contract arrangements," the Leerink analysis states, adding that Amazon could pose a "bigger threat" to the pharmaceutical industry than many individuals expect.
However, it could take 18 months to 24 months before Amazon can achieve pharmacy licenses in all 50 states, according to the analysis. Amazon in March hired Mark Lyons — a former manager of pharmacy services at Premera Blue Cross — as the company's senior manager of pharmacy benefits. Mr. Lyons will build an internal pharmacy benefits manager for Amazon employees, which could eventually be expanded.
Amazon’s HQ2 opens bidding war among cities
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/3587538/posts
It would seem to me that Amazon would go and buy Rite-Aid, then build the on-site/on-line enterprise out of their system. This would knock out the Walgreens and CVS crowd in less than five years. There’s at least 4,000 Rite-Aid shops around the US....you could even have a pick-up point in every community....running 24-hours a day....to pick up Amazon items you ordered, instead of having delivery issues at your home.
Conservatives need not drop off scripts
I don’t think a delivery driver can bring you narcotics or certain other items, can they?
What does the Washington Post have to say about it?
bmp
Interesting post/thread. Thanks. Looking ahead...
It’s clear Bezos wants complete world domination.
Yes, they can. That's how people get their 90 day supplies and prescriptions from Canada, etc. What cannot be done is you shipping prescriptions whether they're your own or one that a family member left at home. That is pretty damn frustrating.
There’s a long list of things they won’t handle (like shipping cash for example). But I think if it comes from a licensed pharmacy, to a customer....it’s legal. A private guy couldn’t ship or fedex to another private guy.
If you notice....a fair amount of complaints exist over Fedex deliveries and people robbing after the item is delivered to the front door. If you had a bunch of regional drug-stores set up more to be just pick-up points, then you could buy up a relationship between yourself and the local drug-pharmacy shop....not just for drugs. And you could order online, to pick up your prescription at the same point.
How would they know?
At what point do they stop Amazon? The nation has an opioid crisis, caused in a large part by too-easy access to addictive pain killers. There won’t be any chance of a solution unless writing and filling prescriptions is made local and personal.
” shipping prescriptions... how would they know?”
One of my scripts has to be signed for and my driver’s license shown (each and every time even though the pharmacy knows it is me”. In fact, I cannot have my hubby or adult kid pick it up. I have to be present. Not sure this works with all scripts because the one I have has to have a hard script (the paper one) every six months. It can’t be faxed.
Good, because CVS SUCKS!!! My employer forces us through our "health care plan" to use CVS or pay higher prices elsewhere (as if CVS is the "cheapest" alternative? NOT!)
CVS can't get a prescription right, fill on time or frankly, clean their stores. The ONE within 15 minutes of my home is FILTHY all the time. I've taken pictures of it and sent it to their corporate HQ - they've done NOTHING.
Certainly not Schedule 1 they can't, cannot speak to Schedule 2 or 3 .......
Oh, I thought you meant YOU would ship a prescription to a family member they might have left at your house. I do know that only the scriptee can pick up a script or receive one.
How does that work for care takers? If a person can’t get out of the house how do they get theirs? I just don’t know.
“.... how do they get theirs?”
No idea. I do know that with me, I have to be present in the vehicle even if I hand over my license to the driver, and make an X for a signature. With cancer patients/terminal... there must be some sort of legal form that a specific caregiver may receive it (with their license and signature). My script rules have changed in the past 5 years or so. I use to be able to send my husband and he would sign for it but the rules are now different.
“something that might drive the drug cost down..”
FWIW... Good RX (I have it as an ap) can save you some $. One of my scripts isn’t covered by my medical card. No info on Good RX either and it gives you saving options of all the pharmacies.. essentially like a coupon. I save $80 for a 3 month script. (I’m posting this in an effort to save any Freeper some money).
I always keep my rx’s at Walmart because they are always great when traveling. My glasses too! I can’t tell you how many times I have been glad that walmart is so convenient. My hubby was out of state last month and forgot his pills, the Walmart there worked it out with ours.. and cheaply too!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.