I have always had a concern about mail order pharmacies.. first of all… all medications have temp storage requirement typically in the mid-50’s to mid-70’s. These storage requirements have to be met by the pharma, wholesaler & the pharmacy. But, when a pharmacy hands off a packaging of Rx meds to a delivery service… NO ONE has a obligation to maintain those storage requirement. Normally, if a pharma, wholesaler, pharmacy allows Rx meds to be outside of the required temp range for > 24 hrs the product is consider adulterated and NO LONGER SALEABLE.
From this article and others that I have read, Amazon appears to be “pushing ” paying cash for Rxs. If this Amazon pharmacy has a contract with your health insurance and you pay cash… it won’t applied to your deductible and highly possible if you submit your cash receipts to your insurance company they will not reimburse you and apply to your deductible because Amazon pharmacy has a contract to bill the insurance for the pt.
Encouraging pts to PAY CASH the Amazon pharmacy will not have to deal with the BS from insurance companies in getting a Rx claim thru the system and with a charge card .. Amazon will get their money in – at most – a couple of days instead of having to wait 2-3 weeks for the insurance company to pay and then reconcile their payment against what was billed and won’t get docked with those unpredictable DIR fees.
If this Amazon pharmacy functions like most mail order pharmacies, filled Rxs may not reach the pt for up to TWO WEEKS and what does their statement mean that they “will offer commonly prescribed medications“… Does that mean NO CONTROLLED MEDS ? The DEA states that it is RED FLAG for a pt to pay cash for a controlled substance if they have insurance.
Amazon opens online pharmacy, shaking up another industry
https://www.foxbusiness.com/retail/amazon-opens-online-pharmacy-shaking-up-another-industry
The company opened an online pharmacy Tuesday, giving Amazon shoppers the chance to buy their medication and order refills on their phones and have it delivered to their doorsteps in a couple of days, just like a book or toilet paper.
The move propels Amazon into a new business, potentially shaking up the pharmacy industry as it has done to everything from book sellers to toy stores and grocers. Big chains like CVS and Walgreens rely on their pharmacies to bring them a steady flow of shoppers who stop by frequently to pick up their medications.
Amazon said it will offer commonly prescribed medications starting Tuesday, including creams, pills, as well as medications that need to stay cold, like insulin.
Shoppers have to set up a profile on Amazon’s website and have doctors send prescriptions to the Seattle-based e-commerce giant.
ONLINE SHOPPING SURGE COULD LEAD TO HOLIDAY DELIVERY DELAYSMost insurance is accepted, Amazon said. But Prime members who don’t have insurance can also buy generic or brand name drugs from Amazon for a discount.Amazon has eyed the health care industry for some time. Two years ago, it spent $750 million to buy online pharmacy PillPack, which organizes medication in packets by what time and day they need to be taken. Amazon said that PillPack will continue, focusing on shipping medication to people with chronic conditions.
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