Amazon makes a billion dollars in health care, PillPack purchase



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Amazon.com Inc. buys its way into the heart of the American health care system, instantly shaking the already-changing prescription drug industry

Insurance companies and drug managers have concluded a series of transactions in recent months, designed in part to thwart Amazon's huge potential in the world of health. But the decision of the online sales giant to buy PillPack online pharmacy is rapidly accelerating the threat to retailers, suppliers and middlemen.

The move represents a real challenge for pharmacy chains, including Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. 19659005] CVS Health Corp., the two largest pharmacy chains in US stocks Walgreens sank 8.5% in 10:49 in New York, while CVS shares lost 8.9%.

"Amazon can disrupt large pharmacies According to Lisa Bielamowicz, president of consulting firm Gist Healthcare, Amazon will pay about $ 1 billion for PillPack based in Boston, according to a press release. The transaction is expected to be concluded in the second half of 2018, according to a statement of companies

The US market for prescription medicine is vast.In 2016, US consumers spent 328, $ 6 billion in prescription drugs, according to US government data. "Last year, CVS had sold $ 59.5 billion worth of prescription drugs, while Walgreens sold for $ 57.8 billion worth of prescription drugs. drugs in 2017.

Jeff Bezos, the CEO of Amazon, used his own online engineering store and acquisitions to infiltrate a growing number from companies.It embarked on the $ 800 billion food industry through the purchase of Whole Foods last year and it 's $ 40 billion. is launched in consumer electronics with the creation of the Kindle e-reader and the Echo speaker.

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