Amazon launches GLP-1 program as gaps in care emerge
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios
Amazon's One Medical is rolling out a national GLP-1 program as demand for weight-loss drugs surges, the company announced Tuesday.
Why it matters: The boom in drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy is reshaping obesity care — but also exposing gaps in how patients are treated.
- One Medical executives told Axios some patients are arriving from other providers "malnourished" or on improper doses, highlighting risks when care isn't closely managed.
- The rise of telehealth GLP-1 providers has made access easier, but also raised questions about gaps in care and clinical oversight.
State of play: Amazon's push comes days after Walmart unveiled its own GLP-1 platform, underscoring how major retailers are racing to capture demand for weight-loss drugs, including new pill versions.
What they're saying: Amazon is positioning its approach as more integrated than many existing options, embedding GLP-1 treatment within primary care.
- "We don't feel like weight lives in a silo," said Hemalee Patel, senior medical director of cardiometabolic health at One Medical, pointing to the need to manage related conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure alongside weight loss.
How it works: The program combines GLP-1 prescriptions with ongoing primary care, including regular check-ins, lab work and monitoring.
- Patients can access care virtually and in person, depending on their needs.
- Clinicians adjust treatment over time based on a patient's broader health, including conditions like hypertension or diabetes.
- The program is integrated with Amazon Pharmacy, allowing patients to see upfront pricing and get medications delivered.
- GLP-1 medications can cost as little as $25 a month with insurance, with cash-pay options starting around $149 for oral drugs and $299 for injectables, Tanvi Patel, vice president and general manager of Amazon Pharmacy, told Axios.
Between the lines: Amazon is betting that bringing GLP-1 care into primary care — rather than treating it as a standalone service — will lead to better long-term outcomes.
- That includes more frequent monitoring early in treatment and a focus on nutrition, lifestyle changes and managing side effects, Hemalee Patel said.
Zoom out: The GLP-1 market is evolving quickly, with new drug formats, more approved uses and broader insurance coverage expected to expand access.
- Oral versions of the drugs could attract patients who are hesitant about injections, while policy changes — including expanded Medicare access — could further expand the market.
What's next: Amazon says the program is now available nationwide across One Medical's 200-plus offices in more than 20 U.S. regions, including markets like Chicago, Miami, Washington, D.C., and San Francisco, with plans to expand further.
More from Axios:
