Amazon Pharmacy Launches Vending Machines for Prescription Medications

On Wednesday, Amazon announced the launch of prescription vending machines in its One Medical clinics. These in-office kiosks, operated by Amazon Pharmacy, allow patients to pick up their prescriptions immediately following their appointments.

Beginning in December, Amazon Pharmacy Kiosks will be available at One Medical locations in Los Angeles, with plans for an expanded rollout to additional sites shortly thereafter.

After receiving a prescription from a provider, patients can choose to have it sent to Amazon Pharmacy for collection at the kiosk. They can then finalize the checkout process using the Amazon app on their smartphones, with medications typically being “ready in minutes,” as stated by Amazon.

The kiosks provide a selection of frequently prescribed medications, such as antibiotics, inhalers, and blood pressure medications. Amazon notes that the inventory of each kiosk is customized according to the prescribing patterns of the specific medical office, and that controlled substances and medications requiring refrigeration cannot be obtained from these kiosks.

Patients will be able to use the Amazon app to see upfront pricing, including available discounts and estimated insurance copays, and can contact a licensed pharmacist via video or phone if needed.

“We understand that when patients need to make an additional trip to the pharmacy after their doctor’s visit, many prescriptions may go unfilled,” said Hannah McClellan, vice president of operations at Amazon Pharmacy, in a press release.

Numerous U.S. pharmacy chains are facing difficulties; Rite Aid has recently shut down all its remaining locations; CVS has closed over 1,000 stores since 2021; and Walgreens has shut down 500 stores in the last year.

Amazon’s new kiosks could further challenge traditional pharmacy operations.

The deployment of these kiosks marks Amazon’s continued efforts to expand its presence in the healthcare sector. In 2018, Amazon purchased online pharmacy PillPack for $750 million and subsequently launched Amazon Pharmacy in 2020. Two years later, it acquired the primary care provider One Medical.