Amazon and Eli Lilly have reached an agreement that will allow the online pharmacy business of the company founded by Jeff Bezos to distribute medications directly to consumers through LillyDirect.

This is the first time Amazon has partnered with a pharmaceutical company since launching Amazon Pharmacy in 2020.

Lilly launched its platform in January and currently offers 14 medications, including several for diabetes and migraines. The company plans to expand the number of available medications in the future, emphasizing that " the decision to partner with Amazon was driven, in part, by the enormous demand for weight-loss medications ."

LillyDirect also uses the online pharmacy TruePill to distribute its medications. Frank Cunningham, vice president of care management services at Lilly, explained that orders will be split between the two companies.

Investing in health

Amazon entered the pharmaceutical business in 2020 and has since been committed to deepening its presence in the healthcare sector. Until now, it has focused on providing primary care and dispensing prescriptions through Amazon Pharmacy. In 2022, the marketplace announced the acquisition of One Medical.

However, Haven, the healthcare joint venture between Amazon, JPMorgan, and Berkshire Hathaway, closed in 2021, and a year later, its telemedicine service, Amazon Care, also closed.