CVS Is Testing a Membership Program as Amazon Pushes Into Prescription Drugs

CVS is testing a program in Boston offering free delivery on most drug prescriptions and online purchases, access to a pharmacist helpline, a 20 percent discount on all CVS-branded products, and a monthly $10 coupon, reports CNBC . A CarePass membership costs $48 annually or $5 monthly, which is less than half the price of an Amazon Prime membership. "We think it's a one-of-a-kind in the marketplace, but the reason for doing it is the direct response of the interest that our customers have shown us in the program," says CVS Pharmacy President Kevin Hourican. He notes the goal is to make CVS more enticing to customers than other retailers. CarePass has gone live in more than 350 stores in the Boston area. The company will experiment with the program to see what appeals most to customers, and a future version could include a MinuteClinic offering. "We want this to expand nationwide," Hourican acknowledges. "But we also want to make sure we are ready and prepared and that when we do roll it out nationwide, the program is one that customers can have a great experience with."