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Amazon Introduces Prescription Vending Machines at One Medical Clinics in LA

Prime Highlights:

  • Amazon launches prescription vending kiosks at select One Medical clinics in Los Angeles to make getting medications faster and easier.
  • The kiosks allow patients to receive common prescriptions like antibiotics, inhalers, and blood pressure medicines shortly after their doctor’s visit.

Key Facts:

  • Amazon bought PillPack in 2018, started Amazon Pharmacy in 2020, and acquired One Medical in 2022.
  • The kiosks are first being rolled out at clinics in downtown Los Angeles, West LA, Beverly Hills, Long Beach, and West Hollywood, with plans to expand further.

Key Background:

Amazon has set up prescription vending kiosks at some One Medical clinics in Los Angeles to make getting medicines faster and easier. The kiosks, run by Amazon Pharmacy, offer common prescriptions like antibiotics, inhalers, and blood pressure medicines, so patients can get them soon after their doctor’s visit.

The kiosks come as many pharmacies, including Rite Aid, Walgreens, and CVS, have closed stores because of lower profits and more competition from companies like Amazon and Walmart. They are meant to help patients start their treatment without delays.

Hannah McClellan, Vice President of Operations at Amazon Pharmacy, said that many patients skip filling their prescriptions if they have to make another trip to the pharmacy. She added that having the pharmacy available at the clinic helps patients begin their treatment immediately.

Each kiosk can hold hundreds of prescriptions, with inventory tailored to the needs of specific clinic locations. Before a patient can use a kiosk, their prescription is sent to Amazon Pharmacy, where it is verified by a licensed pharmacist. Orders are completed through the Amazon app, and a QR code scan at the kiosk allows the medication to be dispensed. Patients can also communicate with pharmacists via video or phone for guidance.

Amazon has been steadily expanding its healthcare footprint. Amazon first purchased PillPack in 2018, started its own Amazon Pharmacy in 2020, and later took over One Medical in 2022. Earlier this year, the company reorganized its healthcare operations into six units to improve innovation and service.

The kiosks are first being set up at One Medical clinics in downtown Los Angeles, West LA, Beverly Hills, Long Beach, and West Hollywood, with plans to expand to more locations soon. McClellan said the kiosks are not meant to replace pharmacists but to support them, making healthcare easier and faster for patients.

With this rollout, Amazon hopes to change how people get prescriptions, connecting healthcare providers and patients more directly while strengthening its role in the U.S. healthcare market.