Access to affordable medication is becoming an increasingly urgent issue across the nation. Millions of Americans live far away from a pharmacy, and most of those who are in remote areas have lower insurance coverage.
According to the National Library of Medicine (NLH), nearly 16 million people, or around 4.7% of the U.S. population, live in “pharmacy deserts,” defined as urban and rural areas without convenient pharmacy access.
To help address this growing problem, Amazon Pharmacy is rolling out in-office kiosks, making it easier and faster for patients to pick up prescription medications immediately after their appointments.
“We know that when patients have to make an extra trip to the pharmacy after seeing their doctor, many prescriptions never get filled,” said Amazon Pharmacy VP of Operations Hannah McClellan in the announcement. “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.”
The kiosks, which look like vending machines, will initially be available at One Medical locations across the greater Los Angeles area, including Downtown Los Angeles, West Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Long Beach, and West Hollywood, with plans to expand to additional offices nationwide.
How Amazon Pharmacy kiosks work
- Create an Amazon Pharmacy account at pharmacy.amazon.com.
- Schedule an appointment at a participating One Medical location and have the provider send the prescription to Amazon Pharmacy.
- Choose kiosk pickup and pay using the preferred method at checkout in the Amazon app.
- A QR code will appear in the app, which can be scanned at the kiosk to collect the medication.
- An Amazon pharmacist reviews the prescription and prepares it for pickup.
The Amazon (AMZN) app also allows customers to view total costs, available discounts, and estimated insurance copays. They can also pay directly and even connect with a virtual licensed pharmacist.
Amazon invests in pharmacy services to boost growth
Since launching Amazon Pharmacy in 2020, which offers prescription delivery in as little as two days, the e-commerce giant has aggressively invested in expanding its health care presence.
In 2022, Amazon acquired One Medical for nearly $4 billion, creating a subscription-based model that provides customers access to in-person, digital, and virtual care services.
The following year, the company introduced RxPass, a $5 monthly medication subscription for Prime members that eliminates insurance restrictions and additional copays, making prescriptions more affordable.
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Although Amazon is still smaller than traditional pharmacy giants like CVS (CVS) , Walgreens, and Walmart (WMT) , which have built massive health care empires over the decades, its e-commerce reach, logistics network, and subscription model position it as a fast-growing competitor in the sector.
While Amazon does not break out pharmacy revenue, its North American net sales surpassed $100 billion in the second quarter of fiscal 2025, an 11% increase from the previous year. With these recent moves, the company’s health care platform is set to grow even larger.
Amazon Pharmacy addresses growing health care concerns
The expansion comes at a time when prescription medication use is rising. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly half of the U.S. population reported using at least one prescription drug in the past 30 days, with the majority being older adults with a chronic condition.
“There are a growing number of older adults in the United States who have difficulty affording prescription medicines. Out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs have increased due to rising list prices and insurance design that places more financial responsibility on beneficiaries,” noted The Alliance for Aging Research.
Chronic illness is a growing concern, with around 133 million Americans living with at least one chronic condition, a number projected to rise to 170 million by 2030, according to NIH.
By making prescription medications more accessible at the point of care, Amazon Pharmacy’s kiosks aim to reduce barriers, improve accessibility, and address a critical gap in the U.S. health care system.
“As clinicians, we see firsthand how delays in starting medication can impact treatment outcomes,” said One Medical CMO Dr. Andrew Diamond. “The ability to know a patient is leaving our office with their medication in hand—especially for conditions requiring immediate treatment like infections—can make a meaningful difference in their care journey.”
Related: Walmart forms bold new health care partnership for affordable medicine
