Amazon’s Quiet Transformation into a Healthcare Giant
In a quiet transformation from merchandising giant to (also) healthcare giant, Amazon may be positioning its sprawling logistics network and growing medical footprint to potentially save lives, starting with your front door.
Project Pulse: A Pilot Program
According to Bloomberg, back in 2023, Amazon piloted a several months-long pilot program called Project Pulse, equipping delivery vans with defibrillators and training drivers in CPR. In cities like London, Amsterdam, and Bologna, more than 100 drivers participated, with several of them receiving alerts from citizen responder apps and arriving on site. (Rescue services were reportedly already treating the victims.)
A Potential Public Relations Win
The company hasn’t moved forward with the program, but it is “evaluating the feedback and exploring additional opportunities for future programs,” an Amazon spokesperson tells Bloomberg. It would likely be a public relations win for the company, showcasing its commitment to healthcare and community involvement.
Expanding Healthcare Ambitions
It would also be a way to expand Amazon’s healthcare ambitions beyond One Medical, the primary care provider for which it shelled out $3.9 billion in early 2023. With rivals like Walgreens and Walmart retreating from primary care, Amazon could be feeling increasingly confident it can do what the others couldn’t: reshape healthcare delivery and bring more than just packages to customers’ doorsteps.
Conclusion
Amazon’s potential entry into the healthcare space could have significant implications for the industry. With its vast logistics network and growing medical footprint, the company may be well-positioned to make a meaningful impact on healthcare delivery. While the Project Pulse pilot program has not been moved forward, it is clear that Amazon is committed to exploring additional opportunities in healthcare.
FAQs
Q: What is Project Pulse?
A: Project Pulse is a pilot program piloted by Amazon in 2023, equipping delivery vans with defibrillators and training drivers in CPR.
Q: Which cities participated in the Project Pulse pilot program?
A: Cities like London, Amsterdam, and Bologna participated in the pilot program.
Q: Why did Amazon pilot Project Pulse?
A: Amazon piloted Project Pulse to explore additional opportunities in healthcare and to showcase its commitment to community involvement and saving lives.
Q: Will Project Pulse be continued?
A: Amazon has not moved forward with the Project Pulse program, but it is “evaluating the feedback and exploring additional opportunities for future programs,” an Amazon spokesperson tells Bloomberg.
