[mfer]

There is a lot to wonder about here like...

Should people be comfortable with Amazon tracking their drug purchases alongside all the other tracking they do of them?

How will Amazon use the tracking information from drug purchases?

Amazon has copied many patented products to sell under their own brand. Would they do that with drugs and use the same tactics?

[SamuelAdams]

> How will Amazon use the tracking information from drug purchases?

Likely not at all. HIPAA comes into play here. Typically any information provided under a HIPAA context cannot be used for solicitation or marketing purposes. For non-USA amazon users, I'm sure other laws apply.

Source: used to work at a big retailer and had to remind managers of this frequently when they wanted to "integrate data from all these systems".

[mfer]

Amazon has a history of taking patented designs, copying them, selling them for less with better visibility, and threatening patent holders. This is an element that speaks to the character of the organization.

So, that makes me wonder...

> Typically any information provided under a HIPAA context cannot be used for solicitation or marketing purposes.

I wonder if they could put in their terms & conditions that you give them permission to do it.

[pkaye]

> Amazon has a history of taking patented designs, copying them, selling them for less with better visibility, and threatening patent holders

Can you provide an example?

[kodah]

This is common knowledge:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/amazon-tech-startup-echo-bezos-...

When I worked in startups this was long rumored with little proof. After years it's become quite clear what's happened.

Amazon Show is a knockoff of a Nucleus (https://www.vox.com/2017/5/10/15602814/amazon-invested-start...)

Amazon Echo https://gizmodo.com/did-amazon-rip-off-the-echo-show-from-a-...

This trend goes on

[fuzxi]

>I wonder if they could put in their terms & conditions that you give them permission to do it.

ToS agreements and EULAs are not legally binding. You can't sign away your rights.

[dazc]

Copying prescription drugs and selling under their own brand is likely more difficult than buying generic staplers and putting a Basics label on them?

[mfer]

Notice, I didn't stay buying generic staplers.

One of the things recently brought up is Amazon copying the designs of patented things (not generic). Then selling copies of the patented items.

Drugs are going to be a different animal and there is regulation there which may stop it.

[petra]

I believe patent protection on medicine is strong - because it's possible to write strong patents , because those companies have big pockets and because, like you said, regulators(FDA) will in all likelihood won't be happy.