Tech

Shares of GoodRx plunge after Amazon announces push into pharmacy

Key Points
  • Shares of GoodRx, a company that finds users prescription drugs at a discount, plunged Tuesday.
  • Amazon announced Amazon Pharmacy, which will allow customers in the United States to order prescription medications for home delivery.
  • The announcement also spooked investors in traditional pharmacy giants, such as CVS and Rite Aid.
GoodRx signage on the outside of the Nasdaq on the day of its IPO, September 23, 2020.
Source: GoodRx

Shares of GoodRx, a company that finds users prescription drugs at a discount, closed down 22.5% Tuesday after Amazon announced its biggest move yet into the pharmacy space.

The e-commerce giant revealed Amazon Pharmacy before the bell on Tuesday, which will allow customers in the United States to order prescription medications for home delivery. Amazon Prime members will get free delivery.

The announcement also spooked investors in traditional pharmacy giants. Shares of CVS and Walgreens closed down 8% and 9%, respectively, while Rite Aid's stock dropped 16%.

Amazon shares were little changed.

Doctors will be able to send prescription requests directly to Amazon Pharmacy. Patients can also request to transfer their prescriptions from an existing retailer, like Rite Aid or CVS.

GoodRx, meanwhile, offers users a free list of discount cards and coupons to cut down costs of their prescription medication. The company collects fees from the pharmacy benefits managers it works with.

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Amazon launches online pharmacy in the United States
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Amazon launches online pharmacy in the United States