As Amazon enters drug distribution, patients and physicians are hopeful for healthcare disruption

Amazon‘s announced acquisition of PillPack gives the tech giant a vehicle for disrupting the U.S. drug distribution market - and may come with a beneficial side-effect for pharma.

Amazon will find substantial reception for its Rx distribution services among U.S. patients and physicians. Per DRG Digital | Manhattan Research 2018 study data, based on surveys of 84 patients and 2,724 physicians:

• 43% of physicians say Amazon will have a big impact on U.S. healthcare, with 61% saying it could help to reduce medication costs
• More than half of U.S. physicians say they would trust Amazon as a drug distributor.
• 45% of patients say tech companies will have an impact on U.S. healthcare in the coming years, and more than one-third of patients are interested in receiving medications from tech companies, with 20% interested in receiving medications from Amazon, specifically.

The opportunity for Amazon to improve medication adherence is notable - and won’t be lost on pharmas seeking innovative platforms from which to deliver their patient support programs:

• Convenience is a factor for non-adherent patients - 34% say they are more likely to get prescriptions filled or refilled on time if they’re delivered to their homes, compared to 25% of adherent patients.
• 27% of U.S. physicians agree that Amazon could help healthcare professionals by improving adherence.

However, Amazon will have to overcome some doubts among patients weighing tradeoffs of cost and access over privacy concerns:

• 41% of patients say they would trust their local pharmacy more than they would Amazon for filling prescriptions.
• 38% worry how tech companies will use their personal health info if given access to it.

“Patients and providers alike have had it with medical sticker shock and the hassle factor in American healthcare,” said DRG Digital Principal Analyst Matthew Arnold. “So Amazon has a real opportunity here, provided they can deliver lower costs and a more friction-free experience to patients. It may pose an opportunity for pharmas, too, provided they can partner with Amazon to deliver patient education and support resources along with their medications.”

The aforementioned findings come from our 2018 Taking the Pulse® U.S. and Cybercitizen Health® U.S. studies, which are available to pharma companies and industry partners. To request information about our patient, physician and payer studies, specific data segments or study methodology, email Digital@TeamDRG.com.

About DRG Digital | Manhattan Research
DRG Digital, part of DRG, is the life science industry’s partner for data-driven customer engagement and commercial innovation. DRG Digital’s Manhattan Research studies are the longest-running studies of multichannel attitudes and behaviors among healthcare customers. Brands, marketers and digital teams at 40+ leading life sciences companies rely on our experts, research and intelligence to understand their customers and engage them with the right channels, content, messaging and innovations.

Visit www.DRGDigital.com or follow @DRGDigital to keep up to date on our analysts’ thinking and access eBooks, infographics, webinars and other resources.

About Decision Resources Group
DRG, a subsidiary of Piramal Enterprises Ltd., is the premier source for global healthcare data and market intelligence. A trusted partner for over 20 years, DRG helps companies competing in the global healthcare industry make informed business decisions. Organizations committed to developing and delivering life-changing therapies to patients rely on DRG’s in-house team of expert healthcare analysts, data scientists, and consultants for critical guidance. DRG products and services, built on extensive data assets and delivered by experts, empower organizations to succeed in complex healthcare markets.

To learn more, visit www.decisionresourcesgroup.com.

Media contact: Penelope Williams, +1-617-747-9090, pwilliams@teamdrg.com

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SOURCE Decision Resources Group