As PM for Amazon Pharmacy, would you expand Amazon Pharmacy prescription types with more complexity, or focus on common medications?

Introduction

The trade-off we're considering for Amazon Pharmacy is whether to expand into more complex prescription types or focus on common medications. This decision will significantly impact our product strategy, user base, and operational complexity. I'll analyze this trade-off by examining key business factors, user needs, technical considerations, and potential outcomes.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Business Context: I'm thinking our revenue model might be based on a mix of prescription sales and Prime subscriptions. Could you clarify our primary revenue drivers for Amazon Pharmacy?

Why it matters: Helps prioritize focus areas for expansion Expected answer: Prescription sales are primary, with Prime subscriptions as secondary Impact on approach: Would influence whether to prioritize high-value prescriptions or volume

• User Impact: Based on current trends, I'm assuming our user base skews older. Can you confirm our primary user demographics and their most common prescription needs?

Why it matters: Ensures we're addressing the right user segments Expected answer: Mix of older users with chronic conditions and younger users with acute needs Impact on approach: Would guide decision on complexity vs. commonality of prescriptions

• Technical Feasibility: Considering the complexity of pharmacy systems, I'm curious about our current technical capabilities. What's our current capacity for handling complex prescriptions?

Why it matters: Determines the feasibility of expansion into complex prescriptions Expected answer: Basic infrastructure in place, but would require significant upgrades Impact on approach: Would influence timeline and resource allocation for expansion

• Resource Allocation: Given the potential scale of this decision, I'm wondering about our current team structure. How is our product team currently organized, and what's our capacity for taking on new initiatives?

Why it matters: Helps assess our ability to execute on different strategies Expected answer: Lean team with expertise in common prescriptions, limited specialized knowledge Impact on approach: Would impact decision on whether to expand or focus on core offerings

• Timeline and Urgency: Considering market dynamics, I'm curious about the competitive landscape. Are there any immediate market pressures or opportunities driving this decision?

Why it matters: Helps prioritize short-term vs. long-term strategies Expected answer: Increasing competition from other online pharmacies, but no immediate threat Impact on approach: Would influence whether to pursue aggressive expansion or gradual improvement