Aug 6 (Reuters) - Amazon's ( AMZN ) pharmacy unit said on

Thursday it would offer weight-loss drugs to eligible Medicare

beneficiaries for $50 a month through a new federal program

created to expand access to the highly sought-after treatments.

The company said it would automate eligibility checks, prior

authorization and billing, while offering home delivery and

in-store pickup, to help patients access the drugs faster and

reduce the administrative burden.

* The U.S. government's Medicare bridge program, launched

last month, allows eligible beneficiaries to obtain drugs

including Novo Nordisk's Wegovy in injection or pill

form, as well as Eli ‌Lilly's four-dose Zepbound KwikPen

injection and the Foundayo pill, through the end of 2027. The

program does not cover single-dose Zepbound vials or pens.

* Amazon Pharmacy said it would initiate the enrolment

process on a customer's behalf once the patient adds insurance

and Medicare details to their account and a clinician submits an

electronic prescription.

* Many of the claims submitted have already resulted in

completed orders, it said.

* Amazon Pharmacy launched electronic kiosks in its One

Medical primary care locations last year to improve access and

cut shipping costs.

* One Medical, a national primary care provider Amazon ( AMZN )

acquired in 2023, allows patients to access primary and urgent

care for an annual subscription fee of $199.

* Same-day delivery is available in more than 3,100 U.S.

cities and towns and is expected to expand to nearly 4,500

locations by the end of 2026, Amazon ( AMZN ) said.