Amazon officially entered the health care market this month by opening its first U.S. pharmacy fulfillment center May 29 specifically to fill same-day medication orders for Southern California residents.
The online retail giant that promises overnight delivery for many items through its Prime membership hopes to be even faster with pharmaceuticals by delivering on the same day they are ordered.
The new fulfillment center opened in Corona, about 50 miles southeast of Los Angeles in Riverside County, and is located next door to one of the company’s large fulfillment centers for retail goods.
“By bringing Amazon Pharmacy’s deliveries into our existing world-class logistics network, Amazon is building the fastest and most convenient service for the home delivery of prescription medications,” said Doug Herrington, CEO of Worldwide Amazon Stores in a statement to The Epoch Times.
“These faster delivery speeds will be a game changer when you or your family need your medications quickly,” he added.
The new service is available on Amazon.com and the mobile app. Customers can use the online pharmacy to buy medications prescribed by their doctor, and have them delivered to their door.
The company promises upfront pricing, a wide selection of available medications, and 24-hour availability of pharmacists every day.
The new facility is stocked with the most common prescription medications for acute conditions and common illnesses, such as the flu, high blood pressure, diabetes, and other conditions.
A pharmacist and pharmacy technicians at the site are able to process prescriptions within a matter of minutes, rather than hours or days, according to Amazon.
The company is using artificial intelligence (AI) and other advanced technology to help pharmacists fill prescriptions more quickly and accurately, Amazon said. When a handwritten or online prescription is submitted, Amazon’s AI models undertake a series of fact-checking tasks that help ensure pharmacists get clear and accurate information, according to the company.
No prescription leaves a fulfillment center without a pharmacist verifying that it includes the correct medicine, strength, dosage, quantity, and address label, Amazon asserted in March.
Amazon launched its pharmacy service in New York City and Southern California in March.
The company’s Brooklyn service carries more than 12,000 medications, focusing on supporting urgent-care needs, according to a company press release.
Amazon delivery drivers will use Rivian all-electric vans or other commercial vehicles.
Dr. Vin Gupta, a pulmonologist who serves as chief medical officer for Amazon Pharmacy, said he believes eliminating extended wait times for medicines should be a top priority.
“The current pharmacy experience is broken, with patients facing long pharmacy lines and unexpected prices at the counter,” Dr. Gupta said in a March statement.
Amazon plans to expand the service to more than a dozen U.S. cities by the end of the year.
Customers in New York City, Indianapolis, Miami, Phoenix, Seattle, and Austin, Texas, can already get same-day prescription delivery.
Customers in College Station, Texas, can get medications delivered to them in under an hour via drone.
Amazon’s Prime members can also join the company’s medical membership service and get on-demand care with same-day or next-day appointments 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Scheduled visits are billed to insurance plans, according to its website.
