The Times newspaper reported at the weekend that Amazon was planning to disrupt the pharmacy industry in the UK, following its success in the £215 billion prescription drugs market in America.
The ecommerce group registered the trademark "Amazon Pharmacy" in the UK just months after Amazon Pharmacy was launched in the US, offering Americans fast delivery of prescription drugs and deep discounts on generic and branded medications.
The paper said although Amazon’s online delivery service offers discounted prescription medicines in America, it is not known how the model would work in a highly regulated prescriptions market in the UK.
Giving her reaction to Amazon foray into pharmacy in the UK, Dr Leyla Hannbeck, chief executive of the Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies, said Amazon could not offer the service that community pharmacies provided.
“When someone is diagnosed with a long-term condition such as asthma or diabetes, and is put on new medicines for the first time, the pharmacist can talk to the patient and ensure they are taking them correctly,” she told The Times.
Helen Morgan's letter to Health Secretary, Wes Streeting.
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