Amazon launches nationwide GLP‑1 weight‑loss program

Amazon is rolling out a new GLP‑1 program aimed at simplifying access to popular weight-loss drugs, from doctor visits to prescription delivery.

The company announced on April 21 that Amazon One Medical’s new "comprehensive GLP‑1 Management Program" embeds treatment into patients' routine primary care, allowing clinicians to monitor how weight loss intersects with cardiovascular health, metabolic conditions and overall well‑being. The program is available at Amazon One Medical locations across the United States.

Prescriptions, according to Amazon, can fulfilled through Amazon Pharmacy, with transparent pricing and "convenient delivery options." Patients can access both injectable and oral GLP‑1 medications through Amazon Pharmacy. The company added in a note to USA TODAY that patients in the program can choose their preferred pharmacy for prescriptions.

'Making it easier for customers to get the treatments'

Prices for insured patients start at $25 per month, while uninsured patients pay at least $149 each month for oral medications and $299 per month for injectables, according to the company.

"By expanding access to the latest GLP‑1 medications with upfront, clear pricing, we're making it easier for customers to get the treatments their health care providers prescribe and to stay on those medications because they’re delivered reliably directly to patients," Tanvi Patel, vice president and general manager of Amazon Pharmacy, said in the news release.

Amazon said the medications are available in all 50 states, with same‑day delivery currently offered in nearly 3,000 cities and towns and plans to expand to about 4,500 locations by the end of the year.

What are GLP-1 drugs? How do they work?

GLP‑1 drugs are FDA‑approved medications used to help lower blood sugar in people with Type 2 diabetes. Many of the same drugs are also prescribed for weight loss, with different formulations and doses approved for each use.

GLP‑1 stands for glucagon‑like peptide‑1, a naturally occurring hormone that helps regulate metabolism, or how the body uses energy, USA TODAY previously reported. After you eat, GLP‑1 increases insulin production, limits the release of sugar into the bloodstream, slows digestion and signals the brain that you’re full.

Because of those effects, people taking GLP‑1 medications often experience fewer blood‑sugar spikes, reduced appetite and a quicker, longer‑lasting feeling of fullness after meals, which can lead to weight loss over time.

This story is updated with new information.