OpinionOpen Access

Amazon’s Decision about Entering Pharmacy Business, is this Going to Affect Other Retail Pharmacy Chains?

Volume 6 - Issue 3

Fadi Al Daoud*

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- Trauma research coordinator, Hurley Medical Center, USA
*Corresponding author: Fadi Al Daoud, Trauma research coordinator, Hurley Medical Center, 7B trauma services, USA

Received: June 27, 2018; Published: July 09, 2018

DOI: 10.26717/BJSTR.2018.06.001363

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Abstract

Amazon was in the process of taking a decision about entering the pharmaceutical industry through opening Amazon pharmacy retailer after the acquisition of Whole Foods grocery stores last August.The grocery chain might soon house pharmacy locations. Read: (Is Amazon getting into the pharmacy business? This is what you need to know. By Emma Court [1]. According to Leerink Partners analyst Ana Gupte, there was concern and skepticism voiced regarding the threat that may occur on retail pharmacy chains such as CVS, Walgreen and Walmart should Amazon decide to tap the pharmaceutical industry.Most of the retail pharmacies like Wal-Mart, CVS and Walgreens have long standing customers who may likely remain loyal to their pharmacy and may not make the switch.In addition, many consumers to date do not engage in online retail and thus may not make the switch to Amazon online pharmacy. If anything, Amazon’s potential of becoming a pharmacy retailer may only enhance the pharmacy retail services by offering affordable pricing to those consumers who otherwise cannot afford medications, especially Amazon may pursue a mail-order pharmacy that initially targets uninsured customers or people who have high deductibles and pay cash for most of their prescription drugs.

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