Amazon has announced the launch of new prescription vending machines at its One Medical clinics, a move aimed at making it easier for patients to collect their medicines immediately after their appointments. Operated by Amazon Pharmacy, these new in-office kiosks will allow patients to pick up prescriptions within minutes instead of visiting a traditional pharmacy.
The Amazon Pharmacy Kiosks will first be introduced at One Medical locations in Los Angeles in December, with plans to expand to other cities soon after. Once a healthcare provider writes a prescription, patients can choose to have it sent directly to an Amazon Pharmacy kiosk for immediate pickup. Using the Amazon app, patients can check out and complete payment, after which the medication is prepared and ready for collection.
Each kiosk will stock a variety of commonly prescribed medicines such as antibiotics, inhalers, and blood pressure medications. Amazon explained that the inventory at each location will be customised based on the prescribing patterns of the clinic it serves. However, controlled substances and medications that require refrigeration will not be available through the kiosks.
Patients can use the Amazon app to view the full cost of their prescription, including discounts and estimated insurance copayments. If needed, they can also consult a licensed pharmacist via video or phone for assistance.
“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, in a press statement.
The introduction of these kiosks comes at a time when several traditional pharmacy chains in the United States are facing financial struggles. Rite Aid recently closed all its remaining stores, CVS has shut down more than 1,000 locations since 2021, and Walgreens closed 500 stores over the past year.
With this latest move, Amazon continues to strengthen its presence in the healthcare sector. The company bought online pharmacy PillPack in 2018 for 750 million dollars, launched Amazon Pharmacy in 2020, and later acquired primary care provider One Medical two years after that.
Also read: Viksit Workforce for a Viksit Bharat
Do Follow: The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News LinkedIn Account | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Facebook | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Youtube | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Twitter |The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Whatsapp Channel | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Instagram
About us:
The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News is a premier platform dedicated to delivering latest news, updates, and insights from the tech industry. With its strong foundation of intellectual property and thought leadership, the platform is well-positioned to stay ahead of the curve and lead conversations about how technology shapes our world. From its early days as CIO News to its rebranding as The Mainstream on November 28, 2024, it has been expanding its global reach, targeting key markets in the Middle East & Africa, ASEAN, the USA, and the UK. The Mainstream is a vision to put technology at the center of every conversation, inspiring professionals and organizations to embrace the future of tech.
