Amazon has ventured into several industries other than retail and e-commerce in the last couple of years such as streaming, cloud computing, and just recently, AI. With Amazon Clinic, it hopes to become a giant in the health sector as well. Just in time for flu season, Amazon adds another option for its healthcare service.
Amazon Treating Cough, Cold, and Flu
The retail giant's clinic was launched last year where users can video call or message a healthcare professional to treat common conditions. The service is available 24/7 and can be done in the comfort of your own home. You even just order the medicine and have it delivered to you.
Amazon's healthcare branch won't require users to provide insurance or make an appointment. It is able to treat several minor illnesses like pink eye, infections, and more through the app itself. Weirdly enough, they are just adding virtual treatment for the most common sickness.
Despite it being established for quite some time, it's only now that Amazon has included the treatment for coughs, colds, and flu. After a consultation, the clinician will then prescribe medicine through Amazon Pharmacy, as mentioned in Gizmodo.
When the healthcare professional meets with the patient and finds that they are in need of a flue of COVID test, they can order one for the patient. They can even prescribe Paxlovid or Tamiflu, with the former to treat COVID and the latter to treat influenza.
It's a smart move for Amazon to enter healthcare given that it is a $12 trillion global industry. It could potentially be a good way for the company to earn more than it already does, but based on its $514 billion revenue in 2022, it's safe to say that it's for the sake of expansion only.
Chief Medical Officer Dr. Nworah Ayogu says that "by quickly connecting with a provider who understands their condition, customers can explore options for relief and get the care that's right for them in a matter of minutes or hours."
Drone Delivery
While the Amazon Clinic can function well enough on its own, as well as Amazon Pharmacy is able to deliver medicine through its usual logistics, the company's latest drone delivery service will serve both branches well, especially when it comes to quickly providing medicine.
Just this October 18th, Amazon announced that customers in College Station, Texas can now get their prescription medications dropped outside their door. They will be able to get their medicine just 60 minutes after they place the order.
On top of that, there will be no additional cost. When customers are eligible for the delivery option, they will be able to select "free drone delivery in less than 60 minutes" upon checkout. Since it can fly up to 40 to 120 meters in the air, it can avoid interferences like traffic.
Customers from College Station who choose the drone delivery option will have access to over 500 medications from Amazon Pharmacy, some of which can treat common sicknesses like flu, asthma, pneumonia, and more.
