Amazon launches Pharmacy Kiosks at One Medical clinics — what to know
Amazon is piloting Amazon Pharmacy Kiosks at select One Medical locations in the greater Los Angeles area, starting in December. The kiosks let patients pick up many common prescriptions right after an in-person appointment — often within minutes — eliminating the need for a separate trip to a pharmacy.
Key details
- Where: Initial rollout in several One Medical clinics in Los Angeles (pilot phase).
- When: Pilot beginning in December.
- What’s available: Hundreds of common medications such as antibiotics, inhalers and blood pressure drugs. Controlled substances and refrigerated/specialty medications are excluded.
- How it works: After your clinician issues a prescription to Amazon Pharmacy, you can request on-site kiosk pickup in the Amazon app. Most meds are claimed to be available within minutes; a remote pharmacist reviews orders and is available via video/phone if needed.
- Requirements: You must have an Amazon Pharmacy account and attend an appointment at a participating One Medical location. One Medical membership is not required to use the kiosk during the initial pilot.
- Cost & payment: Upfront costs, insurance coverage and deductible info are shown in the Amazon app before checkout. Amazon says there will be no extra fees to use the kiosk.
Why this matters
Amazon aims to reduce the gap between diagnosis and treatment by making prescriptions available at the point of care. Faster pickup can improve medication adherence and reduce untreated conditions — but the change also raises questions about privacy, convenience vs. traditional pharmacist interaction, and how well the kiosks handle complex or controlled medications.
Sources & further reading
- Coverage and reporting on the rollout: TechStartups
- Additional reporting: GeekWire
Questions for readers
Would you pick up prescriptions from a vending-style kiosk after a doctor visit, or do you prefer a traditional pharmacy and in-person pharmacist? Share your thoughts in the comments.