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Last November 2022, Amazon
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They provide, via messaging or video, consultations for common health conditions like urinary tract infection, pink eye, and erectile disfunction. Customers love the convenience of Amazon Clinic. It has received a 96% satisfaction rating, and they often share their experiences with Amazon.
One customer wrote: “Amazon Clinic was incredibly easy and convenient to get the thyroid medication refilled. No hidden fees, no in-person visit. For someone without health insurance the cost was the absolute best part.” (Catherine M)
Amazon Clinic is now available to all people, offering direct access to licensed clinicians through Amazon.com, and the Amazon mobile app. Amazon says that they want to make it dramatically easy for people to get and stay healthy by the helping customers get the care and medications they need in the way that is most convenient for them.
Dr. Nivorah Ayogu, Chief Medical Officer and General Manager of Amazon Clinic said: “As a doctor, I’ve seen firsthand that patients want to be healthy, but lack the time, tools, or resources to effectively manage their care. Amazon provides multiple health services to provide the choice, convenience, and continuity of care costumers need when it comes to their health.”
Depending on the state in which they are located, customers can connect via messaging or video call – all without an appointment or insurance. Through Amazon Clinic’s secure message portal or videocall, the clinician will provide a recommended treatment plan, including a prescription. Customers have the choice of filling the prescription at Amazon (with free shipping) or any other pharmacy of their choice.
As a counterpoint to the news from Amazon, CNN Business reports that 5,000 employees have been laid-off by CVS in order to cut costs. The layoffs are said to affect “non-customer-facing positions. This means that employees at the corporate level would be affected.
CVS claims that the decisions will help continue the long-term success of the company. The report claims that these moves are a result of CVS’s plan to transition into healthcare and treat patients nationwide with 1,100 walk-in clinics. The Retail Wire report says that earlier in 2023, CVS closed a deal to buy Oak Street Health for $10.6 Billion, which owns a host of primary care-clinics focused on seniors.
POSTSCRIPT: The new developments in the healthcare industry spearheaded by Amazon and CVS will eventually affect every drugstore company. Medications will be available faster, and people living in the rural areas will, for the first time have access to care from their home or at their local CVS. Healthcare costs in the 50 states are frightfully high, and I hope that Amazon’s action, and CVS’s reaction will lower costs throughout the USA.
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