Amazon Pharmacy makes it easy to get prescription drugs with the click of a button.

Amazon has launched its own online pharmacy business, offering shoppers the ability to purchase medications, order refills, and have them delivered to their doorstep. Starting today, Amazon will offer commonly prescribed medications such as creams, pills, and medications that need to be kept cold, such as insulin. Shoppers will need to have an Amazon profile and a prescription from their doctor.

Most insurances are accepted, but Amazon Prime members without insurance receive a discount. Prime members also get free shipping.

Amazon has been expanding into the $300 billion pharmacy market in recent years; in 2017 it acquired online pharmacy PillPack, whose infrastructure (pharmacy software, fulfillment centers, and relationships with health plans) helped it build new services.

Amazon pharmacies are likely to shake up business and threaten traditional pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens, just as the e-commerce giant has done to booksellers, grocery stores, and other retailers.

Also, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues for months, Americans may avoid going to physical stores and seek their medications by mail.

"We wanted to make it easy for people to get their medications, understand the cost, and have them delivered to their homes," said TJ Parker, Amazon's vice president of pharmacy who previously co-founded PillPack.

Amazon Pharmacy is a new service offering home delivery of prescription drugs. Instead of taking your prescription to your local pharmacy, you can order your medications online through their website or mobile app and receive them in the mail.

Starting this week, Amazon Pharmacy will roll out in 45 states (excluding Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, and Minnesota). The company expects to expand to these states in the future.

To use Amazon Pharmacy, one must be at least 18 years old and have a doctor's prescription.

Physicians can send prescriptions directly to Amazon Pharmacy, or patients can request a transfer from an existing retailer such as CVS or Walgreens. Amazon has tools to verify prescriptions and prevent potential fraud.

Before ordering medications for the first time, customers must create a secure pharmacy profile by answering questions required by law, such as date of birth, sex assigned at birth, and pregnancy status.

Amazon states that customer health data is stored in compliance with federal HIPAA regulations.

Most insurance is available, and shoppers can also use flexible spending accounts and health savings accounts. Check to see if your plan works with Amazon Pharmacy.

Amazon Pharmacy carries many common drugs, including a mix of generic and brand-name drugs such as birth control, insulin, triamcinolone steroid cream, metformin to control blood sugar, sumatriptan for migraines

Amazon Pharma, Inc.

Amazon Pharmacy does not deliver Schedule II controlled drugs, including most opioids.

Amazon Prime members receive free two-day delivery. If you do not use insurance for purchases, you can receive discounts of up to 80% on generic drugs and up to 40% on brand name drugs; for more information on drugs eligible for PrimeRX discounts, click here.

Prime members also get a Prescription Savings Rewards card that entitles them to these discounts at more than 50,000 pharmacies nationwide, including CVS, Walmart, Rite Aid, and Walgreens.

Shoppers with questions about their medications can speak with a live pharmacist anytime online or by phone at 855-745-5725.

Daytime phone support hours are Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET and Saturday/Sunday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET.

Outside of normal business hours, you may leave a voicemail and a pharmacist will return your call as soon as possible (within 30 minutes for urgent messages).