Amazon is launching prescription vending machines at select One Medical clinics in Los Angeles, operated by Amazon Pharmacy and stocked with commonly prescribed medications like antibiotics, inhalers, and blood pressure treatments. Effectively one more nail in the coffin for Walgreens and CVS.
Hannah McClellan, Amazon Pharmacy’s vice president of operations, said:
“We know that when patients have to make an extra trip to the pharmacy after seeing their doctor, many prescriptions never get filled. By bringing the pharmacy directly to the point of care, we’re removing a critical barrier and helping patients start their treatment when it matters most — right away.”
To use the kiosks:
- The patient's provider must first send a prescription to Amazon Pharmacy.
- Amazon verifies the prescription with one of its human pharmacists. (Funny that we have to mention the word “human” now to be specific.)
- Patients purchase the medication in the Amazon app.
- Lastly they scan a QR code at the kiosk to retrieve their medication.
McClellan said the kiosks aren’t meant to replace pharmacists “but to bring their expertise closer to the point of care.”
Amazon will start rolling out the kiosks at One Medical clinics in downtown LA, West LA, Beverly Hills, Long Beach and West Hollywood, with plans to add more One Medical offices and other locations soon after.
Brilliant, right? This was the first time that I've read about prescription medication vending machines, however, it turns out Amazon isn't the first to offer this type of service. Companies like InstyMeds and MedAvail have offered similar fully automated kiosks that dispense prescription medications immediately after a telehealth or clinic visit. However MedAvail filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in February 2024 and is no longer in operation.
My Prediction: Amazon blows this model up and you start seeing Amazon Pharmacy kiosks at doctors offices and hospitals around the U.S. Then they start charging pharmaceutical companies to place their name brand drugs in their kiosks. (Your margin is my opportunity, right?) And of course, let's not forget about the kiosk screen, which is ripe for display advertising while patients sit in the waiting room.