Patricia Fusco
InternetNews.com Correspondent
America Online Inc. and
PlanetRx Inc. Wednesday formed a
new multi-year e-commerce and marketing alliance that will net AOL $15
million.
According to the terms of the agreement, AOL will receive payments from
PlanetRx totaling $15 million over the next three years. In return,
PlanetRx will be featured as the premier online pharmacy in AOL’s Health
and Women’s Channels. PlanetRx will also be the only online pharmacy
contextually integrated throughout AOL’s Health Channel.
PlanetRx will offer consumers the ability to order prescribed medications
online. Additionally, the PlanetRx web site will offer shopping services
for health and beauty products, vitamins, over-the-counter medications and
other health-related products.
“The explosion of electronic commerce has been driven by a growing demand
for easier, more convenient ways to shop for the products consumers
purchase everyday,” said Barry Schuler, president of AOL Interactive
Services.
“Being able to fill prescriptions and shop for
personal health care products online is not only a natural extension of the
e-commerce marketplace, it’s a convenient solution for AOL members and
visitors to our Web-based brands who want to more efficiently use the time
it takes to make trips to the pharmacy.”
Bill Razzouk, chairman and chief executive officer of PlanetRx, said the
relationship will empower people to take charge of
their health.
“For a business like PlanetRx that services mass
market-oriented online consumers, the AOL family of brands is an extremely
important strategic partner.”
PlanetRx plans to employ secure encryption technology to ensure the safety
and privacy of its customers’ medical and billing information. PlanetRx
online services operate under the same strict confidentiality guidelines as
regular pharmacies. PlanetRx believes that consumers will manage their
health care efficiently through the convenience of a one-stop Web site
providing the latest medical information and professional advice.
