Amazon introduces unlimited prescription drug plan

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Amazon has launched RxPass, a prescription drug discount program for its Prime members. The retail giant says people who pay $5 a month will get to fill as many prescriptions as they need from a list of more than 50 generic medications.

Some of the drugs included, like the generic versions of Lipitor and Prilosec, are among the most commonly prescribed drugs in the U.S.

"Any customer who pays more than $10 a month for their eligible medications will see their prescription costs drop by 50% or more," John Love, vice president of Amazon Pharmacy said in a statement.

With the cost of prescription drugs soaring, an estimated 3 in 10 Americans say they haven't taken their medicine as prescribed because of the high costs.

Scott Adams, economics professor at UW-Milwaukee, says under the circumstances, any price relief is welcome.

"The key is more information to people out there that these generics are available will mean that individuals may be spending less out of pocket," he said.

Amazon, Walmart, and Mark Cuban's Cost Plus all offer discount generic drugs. More information on RxPass can be found here.