Amazon Pharmacy launched a new service with the potential to transform patients’ access to medicine following medical appointments. The company will introduce prescription-dispensing kiosks in One Medical locations in Los Angeles from December 2025, allowing patients to pick up their medications within minutes of meeting their doctor.
Closing critical prescription access gaps
The new Amazon Pharmacy Kiosks service fills a critical healthcare issue affecting millions of Americans. Nearly one-third of all prescriptions that are written in the United States remain unfilled, a statistic not just about quantities but also lost potential for better health and billions of dollars in unnecessary healthcare costs. The problem is then compounded by the fact that one out of every four neighborhoods in the country are pharmacy deserts where there is no easy availability of a nearby pharmacy for 48.4 million Americans.
Even when pharmacies are accessible, the current system creates enormous friction for patients. A paltry 51 percent of clients receive their prescriptions on time at retail pharmacy outlets, industry statistics show. The waits can become particularly cumbersome for patients who have to get their conditions treated quickly, say infections or acute medical requirements.
How the kiosk system works
The Amazon Pharmacy Kiosks function similarly to high-tech vending machines, powered by Amazon’s technology and logistics expertise. Each kiosk is strategically filled with a selected group of medications based on the specific prescribing patterns of the One Medical office where the kiosk is installed.
The process is single-step and easy for patients. Patients can choose to have their prescription filled at Amazon Pharmacy to be picked up from office kiosks following the issue of a prescription by their One Medical physician. Patients can pay and check out for their medication using the Amazon app on their mobile device, receiving a QR code that can be scanned at the kiosk. The order is reviewed remotely by an Amazon pharmacist, and medication is available for pickup in minutes.
The kiosks will stock up to hundreds of commonly prescribed medicines like antibiotics, asthma inhalers, and medication for high blood pressure. Controlled substances and cold medicines, like GLP-1 obesity medications like Ozempic or insulin, though, will not be offered via the kiosk system.
Initial rollout and expansion plans
The service will be launched in December 2025 at five One Medical locations in the greater Los Angeles area, such as West LA, Downtown LA, Beverly Hills, Long Beach, and West Hollywood. Plans by Amazon are underway to expand the kiosk program to other One Medical locations and other healthcare centers in early 2026.
This is the first venture into same-day pickup of prescriptions for the company, with the service having previously been focused on home delivery since launching. The launch is the newest expansion of Amazon’s growing healthcare network, which also includes its 2023 acquisition of One Medical for $3.9 billion.
Technology integration and patient support
The kiosk experience is seamlessly aligned with Amazon’s existing technology platform. Patients can view up-front prices, view estimated insurance copays, and pay for their prescription before they pick them up using the Amazon app. The transparency removes surprise and allows patients to make informed decisions about their cost of drugs.
Despite the self-service automation of the kiosks, Amazon has made efforts to provide access to clinical assistance. Every kiosk transaction is accompanied by an offer to have access to licensed Amazon pharmacists for consultation via video or phone in the same manner as they would be accessible behind a typical pharmacy counter. This is intended to mitigate potential concerns regarding cutting down on pharmacist counseling that is traditionally offered in retail pharmacies.
Impact on healthcare accessibility
The kiosk initiative is particularly significant for health inequalities. Research shows that pharmacy deserts disproportionately affect rural communities, as more than half of all rural residents live in counties where they must travel long distances to access a pharmacy. Such communities also exhibit higher concentrations of residents with lower incomes, lower educational attainment, and lower health plans.
Dr. Andrew Diamond, Chief Medical Officer of One Medical, pointed out the clinical significance of the service by stating that the assurance of being able to walk out of the office with medication in hand, especially for illnesses where timely treatment is required such as infections, can be a substantial distinction in their healthcare experience.
