Amazon announced Thursday that it is now offering a service for pet owners to order prescriptions for their dogs and cats online. The service is the result of a partnership with Vetsource, an online pet pharmacy. The company has added hundreds of commonly prescribed pet medications to its U.S. website, which range from treatments for flea and tick prevention to medications for chronic conditions.
The process involves purchasing prescriptions via Amazon’s storefront, with the requirement that they must first be approved by a veterinarian. Once approved, Vetsource will handle the dispensing and delivery of the medications. According to Amazon, the medications are generally delivered within two to six days.
This addition to Amazon’s services comes after the company launched its digital pharmacy in 2020, which offers discounts and free delivery for Prime members. Amazon has been working to improve its prescription delivery capabilities and has made significant strides in speeding up shipments. Over the past year, it has introduced same-day delivery in a few U.S. cities. Amazon has also set an ambitious goal to offer rapid medicine delivery to nearly half of the U.S. by 2025.
With the inclusion of pet medications, Amazon is directly competing with other companies like Chewy, an online pet pharmacy, and Walmart, which also offers pet prescription delivery services. This new move is part of Amazon’s ongoing expansion into the healthcare industry, which already includes its acquisition of One Medical, a primary care provider, for approximately $3.9 billion in July 2022. Additionally, Amazon’s online pharmacy was established following its 2018 acquisition of the online pharmacy PillPack.
By offering pet prescriptions, Amazon aims to tap into the growing pet healthcare market while continuing to diversify its services. The company has already established a significant presence in the online retail and healthcare sectors and is now setting its sights on expanding its footprint in pet care. Through this service, pet owners can expect convenience and the same speedy delivery options that Amazon has become known for.
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