Amazon has launched an online healthcare clinic in the United States (US) to offer treatment options and recommendations to customers over common ailments such as cold, flu and skin rashes. Customers can use their smartphones or laptops to upload photos of their symptoms, which will be examined by Amazon’s registered nurse practitioners (RNPs).
The RNPs then provide care advice and potential treatment options to the customer and direct them to where they can buy the recommended medications or products on Amazon. An important step in reducing costs, especially considering the US spends nearly $3 trillion per year on healthcare, according to Statista.
Read Also: Finance Minister of the UK Increases Taxes, Squeezes Public Spending
In 2018, Amazon bought online pharmacy PillPack, which became the foundation of Amazon Pharmacy, a prescription-delivery and price-comparison website that lets Prime members buy over-the-counter drugs.
Customers who seek treatment will be connected to healthcare providers in 32 states. This service does not include health insurance, and pricing will vary by provider.
Amazon Care launched in Seattle in 2019 and offered services to other employers under the Amazon Care name, which it plans to shut down by the end of this year.
Additionally, the company is waiting for the $3.49 billion deal to close to expand its virtual healthcare presence and add brick-and-mortar doctors’ offices.
Shares in Amazon were up about 1% in trading before the bell.
