Amazon.com Inc's (NASDAQ:AMZN) online pharmacy will automatically apply manufacturer-sponsored coupons to more than 15 insulin and diabetes medicines, making it easier for patients to access these medications at the cheaper prices promised by pharmacy giants.
Amazon’s new system will automatically apply discounts to commonly prescribed products such as insulin vials, pens, continuous glucose monitors, and pumps from companies such as Novo Nordisk (NYSE:NVO), Eli Lilly and Co (NYSE:LLY), Sanofi SA (ADR) (NYSE:SNY), Dexcom, and Insulet Corporation (NASDAQ:PODD) to lower the price of insulin to as little as $35 per month.
Patients using Amazon Pharmacy will see discounts automatically applied at checkout and, if used with insurance, it will be applied to reduce a patient’s final co-pay price, Amazon said.
The roll-out comes amid President Biden’s Push to extend the $35 per month cap on insulin that is currently available to Medicare beneficiaries to more Americans with diabetes who are struggling to afford medications.
Some pharmacies still charge far more than $35 for insulin, and although manufacturers offer coupons to reduce costs, they go unused 85% of the time.
“Automatically applying coupons allows patients to better access medications that are effective and affordable, and this combination can improve adherence and support better care,” Amazon Pharmacy chief medical officer Dr. Vin Gupta commented in a statement.
American Diabetes Association chief Charles Hendersen said the move would help some of the more than 37 million Americans living with diabetes access affordable treatments.
“We applaud Amazon Pharmacy for innovating on behalf of patients and taking the important action to help ensure people living with diabetes can easily access the treatments they need through a transparent purchase process that automatically applies any eligible discounts,” Hendersen said.
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