CVS Tests Membership Program

WOONSOCKET, Rhode Island – For a fee, customers in Boston can take part in CVS’ pilot program called CarePass. The initiative comes on the heels of Amazon’s acquisition of online pharmacy start-up PillPack earlier this year—a threat to the pharmaceutical industry, according to CNBC.

Membership in CarePass includes free delivery on most prescriptions and online purchases, access to a pharmacist helpline, a 20% discount on all CVS-branded products and a monthly $10 coupon. For $48 a year or $5 every month, consumers can get their prescriptions filled without leaving their homes—and get some toilet paper and mouthwash at the same time.

“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,” CVS Pharmacy President Kevin Hourican told CNBC.

The service is only available in 350 Boston stores right now, but CVS may expand the program quickly. Drugstores already are seeing a decline in revenue as fewer consumers visit in person to buy everyday items.