Amazon’s partnership with Eli Lilly will now distribute certain medications through Amazon Pharmacy, allowing customers to have them delivered to their homes. This latest healthcare partnership reflects the growing demand of all-things direct-to consumer, inclusive of healthcare products, prescriptions, and even services like urgent care appointments. Starting with Haven and the purchase of Pill Pack in 2018,Amazon is determined to be the first, and last, stop for all health needs.

The structure of this partnership is distinctive as it leverages an existing platform, Lilly Direct. This digital healthcare provider ofers tele health services and prescriptions for conditions such as obesity, migraine, and diabetes treatments. Now, essential Eli Lilly medications are integrated into a powerhouse digital ecosystem with serious scale. Not only can these medications be delivered with the convenience of 2-dayPrime, but 24/7 clinical pharmacist availability and enhanced adherence support is just a few clicks away.

One potential development to monitor is Amazon's potential move towards complete vertical integration in healthcare services, akin to strategies pursued by major insurance companies. Such a move could efectively establish a quasi-monopoly in the industry.However, I applaud what Amazon is doing. Why drive to the local store and take precious time out of my day for something that I can order online, and have it delivered to my doorstep in a few hours? Why be limited to a single retail pharmacy, where I have tostand in line to “fill” my prescription, only to be told that my insurance information is wrong or the order is not ready yet or the doctor didn’t check the DAW box.

In today's fast-paced world, convenience, simplicity, and time-saving options are paramount. Amidst the complexities of healthcare, Amazon's initiative exemplifies its commitment to meeting these needs head-on.