Amazon has launched a US virtual health service covering over 20 common aliments such as acne and hair loss.

The virtual messaged-based service will operate in 32 states.

Amazon has recently announced plans to buy One Medical, which provides the technology behind the service.

After an initial virtual consultation with a clinician, customers will be sent a personalised treatment plan via a secure portal. Any medication will be delivered to a pharmacy of their choice.

The new service builds on Amazon Pharmacy, which delivers medication to prime members in two days. The company also trialled its virtual health app Amazon Care in 2019.

The pilot offered the company’s employees in Seattle access to in-app video consultations with physicians or nurse practitioners for instant diagnosis or referral to a specialist.

Commenting on the news, a spokesperson for Amazon said: “We believe that improving both the occasional and ongoing engagement experience is necessary to making care dramatically better. We also believe that customers should have the agency to choose what works best for them.”

Amazon recently unveiled a new robotic system which takes on repetitive tasks including moving individual products before they are put into packaging and sent out to customers. Called Sparrow, the online retailer said that it would improve safety as well as efficiency.

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