Amazon Pharmacy Is Launching Vending Machines For Prescription Drugs
Amazon Pharmacy is launching vending machines for prescription drugs — a move that could reshape how patients access medications after a doctor’s visit. The new kiosks will debut at One Medical clinics in Los Angeles starting in December 2025, with more locations planned soon after.
Image Credits:Amazon
Amazon Pharmacy’s In-Clinic Kiosks
These in-office vending machines, run by Amazon Pharmacy, allow patients to pick up prescriptions immediately after appointments — eliminating the need for a separate pharmacy trip. Once a provider writes a prescription, patients can select Amazon Pharmacy as their pickup option, pay via the Amazon app, and receive medications “ready in minutes,” according to the company.
What Medications Will Be Available
Each kiosk will carry a curated selection of commonly prescribed drugs such as antibiotics, inhalers, and blood pressure medication. Amazon says each machine’s inventory is customized for the clinic’s patient needs. However, controlled substances and refrigerated medications won’t be included.
Patients can also use the Amazon app to view transparent pricing, including insurance copays and discounts. If questions arise, they can connect directly to a licensed pharmacist through video or phone consultations.
Solving A Long-Standing Healthcare Problem
According to Hannah McClellan, Vice President of Operations at Amazon Pharmacy, one major challenge in healthcare is prescription abandonment — when patients skip filling prescriptions due to inconvenience.
“We know that when patients have to make an extra trip to the pharmacy after seeing their doctor, many prescriptions never get filled,” McClellan said in a statement.
By placing kiosks inside clinics, Amazon Pharmacy’s vending machines for prescription drugs could dramatically increase medication adherence rates while offering patients a faster, more seamless experience.
A Threat To Traditional Pharmacy Chains
The move comes at a turbulent time for U.S. pharmacy chains. Rite Aid recently shut down all remaining stores, CVS has closed over 1,000 since 2021, and Walgreens shuttered 500 stores in the past year.
Amazon’s new in-office prescription kiosks could further disrupt the already struggling brick-and-mortar pharmacy industry by making in-person pickups less necessary.
Amazon’s Growing Healthcare Ambitions
This latest initiative is part of Amazon’s broader push into healthcare. After acquiring PillPack in 2018 and One Medical in 2023, Amazon has steadily integrated healthcare services into its ecosystem — from online pharmacy delivery to telehealth and now automated prescription dispensing.
The launch of Amazon Pharmacy vending machines for prescription drugs underscores the company’s mission to streamline healthcare, merging convenience, technology, and patient access under one platform.
As Amazon continues to expand its footprint in the health sector, these smart kiosks could signal the start of a new era in prescription delivery — one where getting medication might soon be as simple as using a vending machine.
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