Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) Pharmacy has rolled out two significant upgrades to its U.S. services, aimed at easing the burden of medication management for millions of Americans. The company introduced a new feature that lets caregivers handle prescriptions for others through their own Amazon Pharmacy accounts, and it has broadened access to its PillPack service to include Medicare-insured customers.
The caregiver functionality provides a secure and user-friendly method for individuals to oversee the medication schedules of family members or those in their care. After a quick verification process, caregivers can manage prescriptions, refills, and deliveries, all from their own Amazon Pharmacy login. This initiative addresses a pressing need – an AARP study found that around 53 million Americans, or 1 in 5 adults, are caring for older family members and often juggle complex medical routines on their behalf.
Amazon is also opening up its PillPack program – a service that delivers medications in easy-to-use, date-and-time labeled packets – to those covered by Medicare Part D. Designed for individuals managing multiple prescriptions, the PillPack system eliminates confusion and the risk of missed doses by organizing all pills into clearly marked daily packets. This move potentially benefits more than 50 million Medicare recipients who take multiple medications each day.
John Love, Amazon Pharmacy’s vice president, said the company’s goal is to make pharmacy work better for everyone, whether you’re managing your own medications or helping a loved one stay on track. He added that these new offerings are about giving customers more control and more simplicity.
Beyond these updates, Amazon Pharmacy continues to provide a broad range of services, including fast and free delivery on one-time prescriptions, and ongoing monthly medication management through the Amazon app. Most major insurance plans are accepted, including Medicare Part D across the country and Medicaid in certain states.
For Prime members, the benefits go even further. Programs like RxPass and Prime-exclusive pharmacy discounts can provide up to 80% savings on both generic and brand-name medications for customers paying without insurance.
PillPack, which includes 24/7 access to pharmacists and monthly home delivery of customized medication packets, is available at no additional cost to Amazon Pharmacy users. In select cities like Los Angeles, New York, and Seattle, Prime members can also get Same-Day Delivery of their prescriptions, adding another layer of convenience.