Global technology company Amazon has successfully registered the trademark ‘Amazon Pharmacy’ with the Intellectual Property Office in the UK. The trademark was registered officially on the 4th December 2020. The UK application was first filed on 9th January 2020.
Following the revelation regarding the Amazon Pharmacy trademark application, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) stressed the crucial role played by bricks-and-mortar pharmacies, urging patients not to rely solely on online outlets.
RPS president Sandra Gidley said: “While the public are increasingly buying online, it is vitally important to note that medicines are not normal consumer items. There is real importance and value in the face-to-face interaction between patients and a pharmacist and this must not be lost.
“Each interaction is an opportunity to make a health intervention and to ensure people have no issues with their medicines and are taking them safely.”
Amazon sent shock waves through the pharmacy world recently, when the global company announced its plans for rapid expansion into the market. Amazon Pharmacy allows customers to complete an entire pharmacy transaction on their desktop or mobile device through the Amazon App. Customers can add their insurance information, manage prescriptions, and choose payment options before checking out.
Members of Amazon Prime can also have access to free two-day delivery and discounts of up to 80% on generic medicines and 40% on prescribed brand-name drugs.
When asked if the US launch had implications for the Irish pharmacy market, an Amazon UK spokesperson told Irish Pharmacy News, “This is a U.S.- only initiative.
“There is significant variation in different countries’ healthcare systems, and various teams across Amazon may drive international innovation tailored to meet the needs of our pharmacy customers in different locations. “We don’t have anything else to share at this time.”
