Amazon's PillPack battling CVS, Walgreens over patient prescription transfers

PillPack, which was acquired by Amazon last year, is fighting with industry heavyweights CVS and Walgreens over patient prescription transfers, according to CNBC.

To get customers to sign up for its mail delivery service, PillPack needs patients to switch from their existing pharmacy. This often means transferring prescription files from CVS or Walgreens to PillPack. 

The two major retail pharmacies claim that PillPack is requesting transfers of prescriptions for patients who haven't provided consent. 

PillPack argues that it always gets patient approval before requesting transfers, but CVS and Walgreens aren't honoring the requests.

"While incumbent pharmacies may be disappointed in the loss of business, it is unacceptable to make unsubstantiated allegations about PillPack’s practices while simultaneously creating systemic barriers that make it harder for a customer to switch pharmacies," PillPack spokesperson Jacquelyn Miller told CNBC.

The conflict has continued to escalate, and Amazon is documenting all cases of refused transfers, according to a source who spoke to CNBC anonymously.

PillPack also is feuding with Surescripts, an e-prescribing company owned by CVS and Express Scripts, over access to patient data. 

Read the full CNBC article here.

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