Dive Brief:
- Amazon is launching a weight management program with access to GLP-1s through its One Medical primary care chain, in a bid to help consumers more easily access the popular weight loss drugs alongside supportive care, the retail and technology giant said Tuesday.
- Under the program, users work with a dedicated provider to receive a GLP-1 medication as well as follow-up care, so patients can adjust their treatment and address related health concerns like cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
- Patients can also access prescriptions for “transparent pricing” on Amazon Pharmacy, the company said. New GLP-1 pills start at $25 per month with insurance or through cash-pay options as low as $149 per month.
Dive Insight:
GLP-1s are increasingly popular and effective medications for weight loss. Around 1 in 8 adults are currently taking the drugs, which can also treat chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease, according to a poll last year by health policy researcher KFF.
Still, the medications can be expensive, with list prices reaching around $1,000 per month. Cost is one of the main reasons patients stop taking GLP-1s, KFF found, even though most people likely need to continue taking the medications to prevent weight gain.
Given the high demand for the drugs, a number of retailers, telehealth providers and pharmaceutical companies have launched programs to expand access to GLP-1s, touting lower transparent prices and support from clinicians and health coaches.
For example, Walmart last week announced it would expand its digital health platform to include weight management care, with the retail giant handling GLP-1 prescription fulfillment.
Now, Amazon is launching its own GLP-1 management program. The company argues the program is a more comprehensive approach to weight care, where a dedicated primary care provider can oversee progress and make changes as needed.
Patients can also receive their prescriptions through Amazon’s pharmacy offering. Alongside pill versions of GLP-1s Wegovy and Foundayo, consumers can also receive some injectable medications starting at a cash pay price of $299 per month, Amazon said.
The medications are available for delivery in all 50 states, with same-day delivery in 3,000 cities and towns. Amazon plans to expand same-day delivery to nearly 4,500 towns by the end of the year.
Amazon has been delving into healthcare for several years. The company acquired primary care chain One Medical for $3.9 billion in 2023, a few years after Amazon launched its online pharmacy.
The retail and technology giant has previously worked to integrate its healthcare offerings. In 2024, Amazon folded its telehealth marketplace into One Medical, allowing users to connect to providers through messages or video for a flat fee.
And last year, Amazon Pharmacy began rolling out kiosks that dispense common medications at One Medical clinics.
