(Changes paragraph 2 of the Nov. 15 story to reflect that only prescription medications, not over-the-counter medicines, are sold through Amazon Pharmacy.)
The Amazon Clinic, a virtual platform where users can connect with medical professionals to help treat common ailments like allergies and skin conditions, was launched by Amazon.com Inc. on Tuesday.
Since it is a small player in the healthcare industry, Amazon has long pushed to increase its market share. It acquired online pharmacy PillPack in 2018, which served as the foundation for a site it later rebranded as Amazon Pharmacy and allowed users to purchase prescription medications.
Customers who seek treatment will be connected to healthcare providers through Amazon’s new service, which the company said would be available in 32 states. The price will vary depending on the providers, and the service does not include health insurance, as stated.
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The online retailer first piloted virtual care visits for its own staff in Seattle in 2019 before offering services to other employers under the Amazon Care brand, which it now plans to close by the end of this year.
The company is also waiting to close its $3.49 billion deal to buy One Medical, as it seeks to expand its virtual healthcare presence and add brick-and-mortar doctors’ offices for the first time.
Shares in Amazon were up about 1% in trading before the bell.