Amazon announced on Wednesday that it’s debuting prescription vending machines at its One Medical clinics, giving patients a faster and more convenient way to get their medications right after appointments.
The new in-office kiosks, operated by Amazon Pharmacy, will launch in Los Angeles this December, with plans to expand to more locations soon after.
Once a provider writes a prescription, patients can choose in-office pickup via Amazon Pharmacy. They’ll then use the Amazon app to check out, view upfront costs, and complete payment. According to Amazon, most prescriptions are ready within minutes.
The kiosks will stock commonly prescribed medications such as antibiotics, inhalers, and blood pressure drugs. Each kiosk’s inventory is tailored to the prescribing patterns of its specific clinic, though controlled substances and refrigerated medications won’t be available.
Patients can also connect to a licensed pharmacist via video or phone through the Amazon app for consultations or questions about their prescriptions.
“We know that when patients have to make an extra trip to the pharmacy after seeing their doctor, many prescriptions never get filled,” said Hannah McClellan, vice president of operations at Amazon Pharmacy.
The move comes at a challenging time for traditional U.S. pharmacy chains. Rite Aid recently closed all remaining stores, CVS has shuttered more than 1,000 since 2021, and Walgreens closed 500 in the past year.
By introducing these kiosks, Amazon continues its aggressive push into healthcare, following its $750 million acquisition of PillPack in 2018, the launch of Amazon Pharmacy in 2020, and its purchase of primary care provider One Medical in 2022.
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