WeightWatchers mentioned on Monday it’ll companion with Amazon to ship drugs together with injectable GLP-1 weight problems remedies for its members, a transfer the telehealth supplier mentioned will make it simpler for some clients to obtain prescriptions.
WeightWatchers clients will be capable to verify whether or not their drugs are in inventory and have the refrigerated medication delivered extra effectively through the use of the Amazon Pharmacy choice on its web site, mentioned WeightWatchers Chief Operating Officer Jon Volkmann.
WeightWatchers, also called WW International, emerged from chapter in July having shed debt and with a plan to compete for on-line weight-loss clients.
While its rivals targeted on compounded copies of Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy and Eli Lilly’s Zepbound, WeightWatchers embraced the branded medication, asserting a partnership with Novo to promote Wegovy to cash-pay clients by way of NovoCare and its companion HeartWell Pharmacy.
WeightWatchers will proceed to permit sufferers to fill prescriptions by way of different pharmacies.
Demand for GLP-1 weight problems remedies soared after scientific trials confirmed they helped folks lose round 15 % of physique weight by making the abdomen really feel full.
In 2022, the medication had been declared in scarcity by the US Food and Drug Administration. Volkmann mentioned throughout these shortages, WeightWatchers clients in rural areas skilled issue discovering the medication at in-person pharmacies.
Now, even with ample provides of each medication, Amazon mentioned entry in rural areas was nonetheless an issue.
“We know that with GLP-1s specifically, there has been an issue where folks are pharmacy hopping, looking for that inventory,” mentioned Tanvi Patel, a vice chairman at Amazon Pharmacy.
This month, Amazon launched kiosks the place sufferers at a few of its One Medical clinics can decide up widespread prescriptions.
While Amazon sells GLP-1s by mail, medication that require chilly storage won’t be obtainable within the kiosks.
The firm’s funding in speedy supply, particularly for perishable objects, has allowed Amazon to keep up temperatures for GLP-1 shipments throughout the nation, Patel mentioned.
Shipping occasions for sufferers who subscribe to Amazon Prime, the e-commerce big’s premium service, are one to 2 days for all drugs.
Patel estimated a mean four-day supply time for non-Prime members, however mentioned that transport is usually sooner.
Amazon in June mentioned it might present same-day and next-day supply to 4,000 extra locales by the top of this 12 months, focusing on small cities and rural areas, and make investments over $4 billion to triple its supply operations by 2026.
By Amina Niasse
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