Amazon has announced the launch of a new prescription medication subscription for the US market.

The $5 per month RxPass will be available to new and existing US Prime subscribers. It will provide users with access to more than 50 medications for over 80 conditions Amazon described as ‘common’ such as high blood pressure, anxiety, or acid reflux.

The company said that the programme will save the average Prime member around $100 per year, with members in ‘most’ US states able to sign up for the scheme from today.

One major caveat of the RxPass is that it is not available to people who are enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid, or any other government health care programme.

Amazon has significantly ramped up its focus on healthcare in recent years, and has invested heavily in everything from cancer research to fitness tracking smart tech. It purchased prescription delivery and price comparison site PillPack in 2018.

In a blog post announcing the launch of RxPass, Dr. Vin Gupta, chief medical officer, Amazon Pharmacy, said: “Over the last decade as a practising pulmonologist, I have seen patients with chronic diseases struggle to get access to the basic medications they need to live their lives well. Navigating insurance can be a maze and getting to the pharmacy a burden.

“Aspects of our health care system make what should be easy, difficult. It’s why I feel so fortunate to be a part of the change that Amazon Pharmacy is helping to bring to this space.”

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