Amazon Pharmacy Rolls Out In-Office Vending Machines for Immediate Prescription Pickup

Amazon Pharmacy Launches Prescription Vending Machines at One Medical Clinics In a move to revolutionize the way patients access prescription medications, Amazon announced on Wednesday that its Amazon Pharmacy division is debuting in-office kiosks for immediate pickup. The new vending machines will be available at select One Medical clinics starting in December, with plans to expand to more locations soon after. According to Amazon, the kiosks allow patients to pick up their prescriptions immediately after their appointment, eliminating the need for a separate trip to a pharmacy. To use the service, patients can choose to have their prescription sent to Amazon Pharmacy for in-office kiosk pickup. They then use their phone to check out in the Amazon app, and medications are typically ready in minutes. "We're excited to bring this innovative solution to our patients," said Dr. Kate Ryder, Chief Medical Officer at One Medical. "Our goal is to provide seamless, convenient care, and these kiosks will help us achieve that." The kiosks have a range of commonly prescribed medications, including antibiotics, inhalers, and blood pressure medications. However, Amazon notes that controlled substances and medications requiring refrigeration are not available through the kiosks. Each kiosk's inventory is customized based on the prescribing patterns of its specific office location, ensuring that patients have access to the medications they need most. Patients can use the Amazon app to see upfront costs, including available discounts and estimated insurance copays, as well as connect with a licensed pharmacist for any questions or concerns. The introduction of prescription vending machines marks another step in Amazon's expansion into healthcare services. In 2020, the company acquired One Medical, a primary care provider with over 700 locations across the United States. Since then, Amazon has been working to integrate its pharmacy and healthcare offerings with One Medical's existing infrastructure. Industry experts see the move as a significant development in the shift towards digital health and convenience-based care. "This is a major innovation that will change the way patients access prescription medications," said Dr. Eric Topol, Director of the Scripps Translational Science Institute. "Amazon is pushing the boundaries of what's possible in healthcare, and we're excited to see where this technology takes us." As Amazon continues to expand its presence in the healthcare market, it remains to be seen how these prescription vending machines will impact patient care and outcomes. However, one thing is clear: Amazon Pharmacy is leading the charge in making healthcare more accessible, convenient, and affordable for all. Background: Amazon's acquisition of One Medical marked a significant expansion into healthcare services for the e-commerce giant. Since then, Amazon has been working to integrate its pharmacy and healthcare offerings with One Medical's existing infrastructure. Next Developments: Amazon plans to expand the prescription vending machines to more locations soon after their initial launch in December. The company has not yet announced specific dates or locations for future rollouts. Additional Perspectives: Industry experts see the move as a significant development in the shift towards digital health and convenience-based care. "This is a major innovation that will change the way patients access prescription medications," said Dr. Eric Topol, Director of the Scripps Translational Science Institute. *Reporting by Techcrunch.*