On Wednesday, Amazon revealed the launch of prescription vending machines at its One Medical clinics. These new in-office kiosks, managed by Amazon Pharmacy, enable patients to obtain their prescriptions immediately following their appointments.
Amazon Pharmacy Kiosks will first be available at One Medical locations in Los Angeles, beginning in December, with plans for Amazon to broaden availability to additional locations shortly thereafter.
Once a provider has prescribed medication, patients have the option to direct it to Amazon Pharmacy for in-office kiosk retrieval. Patients then finalize the purchase via their phone using the Amazon app, after which Amazon indicates medications are generally “ready in minutes.”
The kiosks stock an assortment of frequently prescribed medications, such as antibiotics, blood pressure treatments, and inhalers. Amazon specifies that each kiosk’s stock is tailored based on the prescribing habits of its specific office location, and that the kiosks do not dispense controlled substances or medications needing refrigeration.
With the Amazon app, patients gain visibility into upfront expenses, including possible discounts and projected insurance copays, and can connect with a licensed pharmacist for video or phone consultations if necessary.
According to Hannah McClellan, the vice president of operations at Amazon Pharmacy, “We recognize that many prescriptions are never fulfilled when patients must make an additional trip to the pharmacy after their doctor’s visit,” as stated in a press release.
Pharmacy chains in the U.S. are facing difficulties. Just last week, Rite Aid shuttered all remaining stores, CVS has shut down over 1,000 locations since 2021, and Walgreens has closed 500 stores in the past year.
Techcrunch event
San Francisco
|
October 27-29, 2025
The introduction of Amazon’s kiosks has the potential to further disrupt physical pharmacy operations.
The debut of these kiosks represents Amazon’s latest action to grow its footprint within the healthcare industry. In 2018, Amazon acquired the online pharmacy PillPack for $750 million and subsequently launched Amazon Pharmacy in 2020. Two years later, they acquired the primary care provider One Medical.
