TL/DR –
Amazon plans to expand its national pharmacy network in 2025, allowing almost half of U.S. residents to access same-day delivery for prescriptions. The retailer will add 20 new non-physical pharmacies to its network, enabling faster medication delivery to customers. By the end of 2025, almost 45% of U.S. Amazon customers are expected to be eligible for same-day delivery of their prescription medications.
Amazon Expands Pharmacy Network for Same-Day Prescription Delivery
Amazon announced its expansion plans for its national pharmacy network, intending to reach about half of all US residents by 2025 for same-day prescription delivery. This move comes as other national pharmacy chains such as Walgreens, CVS, and Rite Aid have been closing stores and pharmacies.
“Amazon is leveraging its logistics network and automation technology to address one of the significant challenges in pharmacy: affordable and convenient access to medications,” the company stated.
Amazon plans to add 20 more pharmacies to its network in 2025, enabling more customers to receive their medications quicker, according to John Love, vice president of Amazon Pharmacy.
“We’ve been delivering medications across the US within two days or less. However, for those who are unwell or have a sick child at home, medications are needed incredibly quickly,” Love said.
By end of 2025, approximately 45% of US Amazon customers are expected to be eligible for same-day medication delivery. In most cases, orders placed by 4 p.m. will be delivered by 10 p.m.
How does Amazon Pharmacy work?
The new pharmacies won’t be physical locations for customers to walk in. They will be embedded in Amazon Same-Day Delivery sites, facilitating faster medication delivery straight to customers’ doors. These smaller pharmacies will complement existing highly automated pharmacy fulfillment sites, supervised by a team of highly trained, licensed pharmacists and technicians.
Amazon Pharmacy offers 24/7 access to a pharmacist. The company has confirmed the expansion into cities like Boston, Dallas, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, and San Diego, with more cities to be announced in the coming months.
The pharmacy offers 30-day or 90-day medication supplies, typically sent by mail-order pharmacies. Amazon Prime members enjoy free shipping, while non-Prime members will incur delivery costs. Customers can use commercial or government insurance or private pay.
Importance of speedy medication delivery
Delayed treatment is a significant problem in healthcare, remarked Dr. Vin Gupta, chief medical officer of Amazon Pharmacy. Since 2020, 41% of people have reported delaying treatment, spending an average of 13 hours waiting for medications at retail pharmacies, Gupta revealed.
Lack of access to medical professionals can also make obtaining the necessary prescription difficult. Amazon also offers a service, One Medical, to connect consumers with physicians via virtual care and some in-person locations.
Understanding Pharmacy Deserts
About 46% of US counties have at least one “pharmacy desert” – an area 10 or more miles from a retail pharmacy according to an August article in the American Medical Association journal JAMA. “As pharmacies close, more individuals are left without easy access to medications, disproportionately affecting certain communities,” the report said.
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