Amazon Pharmacy to Launch Prescription Kiosks at One Medical

Post by : Monika

Amazon Pharmacy is preparing to launch electronic kiosks for prescription pickups at One Medical clinics in Los Angeles starting December 2025. This is a major step for Amazon Pharmacy as it moves beyond its traditional model of home delivery of medications.

The kiosks will allow patients to collect common prescription medications directly at their clinic, making it easier and faster to get important medicines.

The new system is part of Amazon’s broader efforts to innovate healthcare and make access to medicines more convenient for patients. It also aims to reduce shipping costs and improve efficiency for both patients and healthcare providers.

How the Kiosks Work

The kiosks are electronic machines designed to store and dispense prescription medications. Patients will be able to collect medicines such as:

• Antibiotics for infections
• Asthma inhalers
• Blood pressure medications

The kiosks will not store medications that need to be kept cold, such as some insulin or GLP-1 weight-loss drugs. They also will not dispense controlled substances, like pain medications that are tightly regulated. Each kiosk’s stock will be customized for the clinic it serves, so patients receive the correct medications from their healthcare provider.

Access for Patients

The kiosks are initially available to One Medical patients in Los Angeles, but patients do not necessarily need to be members to use the system. One Medical offers a membership model for $199 per year, which gives patients access to primary care and urgent care services.

Non-members can still use the kiosks, but they may need to book an appointment to pick up their medications. The goal is to ensure that as many patients as possible can benefit from faster access to prescriptions while keeping the process secure and organized.

Virtual Pharmacist Support

A unique feature of the kiosks is virtual access to a pharmacist. Patients can use a video or call function to speak with a pharmacist if they have questions about their medications. This is particularly important for patients who are starting new medications or have complex prescriptions.

• Virtual consultations help patients:
• Understand proper dosing and instructions
• Learn about possible side effects
• Receive guidance for interactions with other medications

This feature ensures that even though patients are using a kiosk rather than visiting a pharmacy in person, they still have access to professional medical guidance.

Benefits of the Kiosk System

• There are several advantages to the Amazon Pharmacy kiosk system:
• Convenience: Patients can pick up medications at their clinic rather than waiting for home delivery.
• Time-Saving: The kiosks reduce the need to wait in long pharmacy lines.
• Reduced Shipping Costs: Patients and healthcare providers save money since many prescriptions no longer need to be shipped.
• Integration with Clinics: Because the kiosks are located at One Medical clinics, prescriptions are directly linked to the patient’s healthcare provider.

These benefits make the kiosk system appealing to patients who want faster, easier access to medications while also giving providers a tool to manage prescriptions more efficiently.

Limitations and Restrictions

• While the kiosks provide many benefits, there are some limitations. For example:
• Medications that require refrigeration cannot be dispensed.
• Controlled substances, such as strong painkillers, cannot be dispensed due to legal restrictions.
• Each kiosk has a limited inventory, which is customized for the clinic.

These limitations are necessary to ensure patient safety and compliance with medical regulations. Patients needing these medications will continue to use traditional pharmacies or other delivery services.

Expansion Plans

Amazon Pharmacy is planning to expand the kiosk program beyond Los Angeles in 2026. The company is also discussing partnerships with other healthcare systems to roll out kiosks in multiple locations.

The expansion is part of a broader strategy to make prescription medications more accessible across the United States. By partnering with established clinics and healthcare providers, Amazon can leverage existing infrastructure to bring convenience to more patients.

Why This Matters

The introduction of prescription kiosks represents a significant innovation in healthcare delivery. Traditionally, patients have relied on pharmacies either in person or for home delivery. Amazon Pharmacy is combining both models, allowing patients to pick up medications at a clinic while still having access to home delivery for other prescriptions.

This approach could:

• Reduce the pressure on traditional pharmacies
• Improve patient adherence to medications by making access easier
• Encourage the development of more advanced healthcare technologies
• In short, the kiosks are an example of how technology can improve the patient experience while maintaining safety and efficiency.

Partnership with One Medical

One Medical is a primary care provider that has grown rapidly in recent years. Its clinics offer membership-based healthcare with an emphasis on digital tools and patient convenience. By partnering with Amazon Pharmacy, One Medical can enhance the services it offers to patients, giving them more options for getting medications quickly and conveniently.

• This collaboration benefits both companies:
• Amazon Pharmacy gains a physical presence in healthcare facilities.
• One Medical improves its patient services and adds value to its membership.
• Patient Experience and Safety

Safety is a major focus of the kiosk system. Each prescription is verified electronically by the provider, ensuring patients get the correct medication and dose. In addition, virtual pharmacist consultations provide an extra layer of support, helping patients understand how to use their medicines safely.

The system is designed to be user-friendly, even for patients who may not be familiar with technology. Clear instructions, easy-to-use interfaces, and support staff help patients navigate the kiosk with confidence.

Impact on the Pharmacy Industry

• The kiosk program could have a broader impact on the pharmacy industry:
• Traditional pharmacies may adapt by adding similar self-service or electronic pickup options.
• Home delivery pharmacies may rethink logistics to reduce costs.
• Healthcare providers could integrate kiosks as part of routine care, improving efficiency and patient satisfaction.
• This innovation is likely to influence how pharmacies and healthcare providers operate in the future.

Future Prospects

Amazon Pharmacy’s kiosks are just one part of a larger trend of technology-driven healthcare solutions. In the future, kiosks could:

• Offer a wider range of medications
• Include tools for remote monitoring of patients
• Integrate with electronic health records to improve care coordination
• Allow instant prescription renewals without waiting for a pharmacy visit
• These possibilities show that Amazon is thinking ahead to create a more convenient, patient-focused pharmacy system.

The launch of electronic prescription kiosks at One Medical clinics represents a major step forward in making medications more accessible, convenient, and safe for patients.

• By combining technology with healthcare, Amazon Pharmacy is:
• Reducing waiting times
• Lowering shipping costs
• Providing professional guidance through virtual pharmacists
• Creating new options for patients who need medications quickly
• This initiative reflects a broader trend in healthcare: using technology to improve patient experiences, streamline operations, and expand access to essential services.

With plans to expand to more locations in 2026, Amazon Pharmacy’s kiosks may reshape the way Americans get their prescriptions, making the process simpler, faster, and safer for millions of people.