The online retail giant Amazon revealed Thursday that its pharmacy division will begin dispensing Novo Nordisk’s diabetes medication Ozempic in tablet form through automated dispensing machines nationwide, while providing rapid same-day delivery service.
The medication from Novo Nordisk contains the active compound semaglutide, which helps regulate blood glucose levels in individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, a condition where the body struggles to produce adequate insulin or becomes resistant to this blood sugar-controlling hormone. Since January, Amazon’s pharmacy has been distributing Novo’s weight management drug Wegovy, which contains the identical active ingredient found in Ozempic. The company also revealed in April its plans to stock Eli Lilly’s competing weight-loss medication Foundayo.
“Amazon Pharmacy continues to provide customers expanded selection and reliable, convenient access to the latest treatments like the Ozempic pill for type 2 diabetes,” said Tanvi Patel, a vice president at Amazon. “We are making it easy for customers to get the medication they need to stay healthy.”
The company started distributing GLP-1 medications, which represent a category of treatments for diabetes and weight management, beginning in 2021. The injectable forms of these drugs cannot be stored in the automated dispensers due to refrigeration requirements, unlike their pill counterparts.
Approximately half of Amazon’s customer base across the United States can access same-day delivery services, while all customers receive their prescriptions within a four-day window. The company plans to provide rapid delivery of Ozempic to roughly 3,000 communities initially, with plans to extend this service to 4,500 locations before year’s end.
Individuals holding valid prescriptions can purchase the medication through Amazon Pharmacy for a monthly cash price of $149 or utilize their insurance coverage, according to company officials. When using insurance benefits, the minimum cost drops to $25, Amazon stated in its announcement.
Currently, Novo’s Wegovy tablets are available at five automated dispensers located in California, where patients can collect their medications at Amazon’s One Medical facilities after completing medical consultations.
The introduction of these automated dispensers addresses accessibility challenges and reduces shipping costs for patients, initially focusing on commonly prescribed medications including antibiotics, blood pressure treatments, and asthma inhalers.
Individuals do not require a One Medical membership, Amazon’s primary and urgent care platform, to schedule appointments and access the dispensing kiosks. An annual One Medical subscription carries a $199 fee.
Last year, Amazon committed more than $4 billion toward an initiative to triple its delivery capabilities by 2026, with particular emphasis on serving smaller communities and rural regions.
