Amazon is in exploratory talks with generic-drug makers in the US
But sources agree Amazon’s plans remain vague, and some are skeptical that the e-commerce giant will pull the trigger
By Meg Tirrell and Christina Farr
Amazon has held preliminary talks with makers of generic drugs in the US about its potential entry into the pharmacy space, according to people familiar with the discussions.
The conversations, including with generics giants Mylan and Sandoz, a unit of Novartis, have been high-level, and the nature of Amazon’s plans isn’t yet clear, said the people, who asked not to be named because the discussions aren’t public.
Shares of Mylan were up nearly 2.5 per cent in after-hours trading.
Health care investment bank Leerink confirmed in a note to investors on Thursday that Sandoz’ Peter Goldschmidt at a recent biopharma event “met and discussed with Amazon its plans for getting into the U.S. healthcare market.” But it was not made clear whether Amazon will enter as a drug wholesaler, meaning business-to-business, or sell generic medications as a retailer.
Sandoz also said it does not expect Amazon to have a “major impact” on its business.
One of the people said the conversations are about Amazon taking a role in drug purchasing, potentially disrupting a space now dominated by distributors McKesson, AmerisourceBergen and Cardinal Health . Generics manufacturers are eager to establish a relationship with Amazon as part of 2018 business plans, the person said.
Stocks of drug distributors and others in the pharmaceutical supply chain, such as pharmacies and pharmacy benefits managers, have been pressured by the spectre of Amazon entering the space.
Some in the industry have doubted the tech giant will make the decision to compete in pharmacy; at the Forbes Healthcare Summit Wednesday, Walgreens Boots Alliance CEO Stefano Pessina suggested the regulatory hurdles may be too high.
“I believe that they will not come in an industry so complicated as our industry,” Pessina said. “I believe in the end they will use their technology in a different way.”
It’s a topic of intense speculation on Wall Street and in the pharmaceutical industry. Many drug company executives, including the CEOs of Pfizer and Allergan, were asked about the prospect of working with Amazon on their most recent quarterly earnings conference calls. They responded enthusiastically but said no formal discussions were taking place.
Novartis, Mylan and Amazon declined to comment.