Amazon is taking its presence in the healthcare sector a step further with the debut of prescription drug vending machines at its One Medical clinics. These new in-office kiosks, operated by Amazon Pharmacy, will allow patients to pick up their medications immediately after their doctor’s appointment.
The Amazon Pharmacy Kiosks are scheduled to launch at One Medical locations in Los Angeles starting this December, with Amazon planning a rapid expansion to more locations soon after.
The process is designed for convenience. Once a healthcare provider writes a prescription, patients can opt to have it sent directly to Amazon Pharmacy for in-office kiosk pickup. Patients then use the Amazon app on their phone to check out, and the company claims medications are typically “ready in minutes.”
The kiosks will stock a curated range of commonly prescribed medications, such as antibiotics, inhalers, and blood pressure drugs. Importantly, the inventory of each kiosk is customized based on the specific prescribing patterns of that clinic. Controlled substances and medications requiring refrigeration will not be available through the machines.
Patients will be able to use the Amazon app to view upfront costs, including any available discounts and estimated insurance copays. For patients who need assistance, the app will also provide a direct link to connect with a licensed pharmacist via video or phone consultation.
“We know that when patients have to make an extra trip to the pharmacy after seeing their doctor, many prescriptions never get filled,” stated Hannah McClellan, vice president of operations at Amazon Pharmacy, highlighting the focus on improving patient adherence.
This move comes at a challenging time for traditional U.S. pharmacy chains, which have been struggling with widespread store closures. Companies like Rite Aid, CVS, and Walgreens have collectively shuttered well over a thousand locations in recent years. Amazon’s in-office kiosks could present a significant new challenge to the traditional brick-and-mortar pharmacy business model.
The launch is the latest development in Amazon’s steady march into healthcare, a strategy that began in 2018 with the purchase of online pharmacy PillPack, followed by the launch of Amazon Pharmacy in 2020, and the acquisition of primary care provider One Medical two years later.
