Amazon.com Inc. has spoken with representatives of generic-drug makers Mylan NV and Novartis AG's Sandoz about potential operations in the pharmaceutical industry, CNBC reported Nov. 30.
Citing unnamed sources, the CNBC report said that the e-commerce giant has spoken to both companies, though the exact topic of the conversations was not clear.
One source who spoke to CNBC said that Amazon discussed entering the drug-purchasing business, a move that would put it in competition with AmerisourceBergen Corp. and Cardinal Health Inc.
Amazon, Mylan and Novartis declined to comment on CNBC's report.
Makers of generic drugs are likely to continue facing stiff pricing competition into 2018. Broadly, the market for generics has become more competitive as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved more new drugs.
Executives at retail pharmacies and pharmacy benefit managers responded to questions from analysts in recent months about how they would respond to Amazon's potential entry into their business.
In May, CVS Health Corp. CEO and President Larry Merlo said that Amazon is likely to face several "high barriers to entry" if it offers a prescription drug service.
