On Wednesday, Amazon revealed that it is introducing prescription vending machines at its One Medical clinics. These new kiosks, managed by Amazon Pharmacy, allow patients to collect their medications right after their appointments.
Starting in December, Amazon Pharmacy Kiosks will be accessible at One Medical clinics in Los Angeles, with plans to roll out to additional locations soon after.
Once a healthcare provider issues a prescription, patients can opt to send it to Amazon Pharmacy for pickup at the in-office kiosk. Using their phone, patients complete the checkout process through the Amazon app, and Amazon states that most prescriptions are “ready in minutes.”
The kiosks are stocked with a selection of frequently prescribed drugs, such as antibiotics, inhalers, and medications for blood pressure. According to Amazon, each kiosk’s stock is tailored to the prescribing trends of its specific clinic, and neither controlled substances nor drugs that require refrigeration are offered at these kiosks.
Image Credits:Amazon
Through the Amazon app, patients can view pricing details upfront, including any discounts and estimated insurance copays, and can reach a licensed pharmacist for a video or phone consultation if necessary.
“We understand that when patients are required to make an extra stop at the pharmacy after visiting their doctor, many prescriptions go unfilled,” stated Hannah McClellan, Amazon Pharmacy’s vice president of operations, in a press release.
Pharmacy chains in the U.S. are facing difficulties; Rite Aid recently shut down all its remaining stores, CVS has closed over 1,000 locations since 2021, and Walgreens has shuttered 500 stores in the past year.
Amazon’s introduction of these kiosks could further challenge traditional brick-and-mortar pharmacies.
This kiosk rollout is Amazon’s newest step in broadening its reach in healthcare. In 2018, Amazon acquired PillPack, an online pharmacy, for $750 million, then launched Amazon Pharmacy in 2020. Two years later, the company purchased primary care provider One Medical.
