Amazon is trying out a new kind of vending machine. What’s inside could make your community healthier

Amazon is rolling out kiosks that let patients get their prescriptions while they are still at the doctor’s office.

Starting in December 2025, the tech behemoth will be stepping up its efforts to become a bigger presence in the pharmaceutical market by launching in-office pharmaceutical kiosks stocked with medicine.

The kiosks will initially be launched at certain One Medical locations (which Amazon acquired in 2023 for $3.9 billion), including in Downtown Los Angeles, West Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Long Beach, and West Hollywood.

The company claims that the kiosks will help combat pharmacy deserts across the U.S., and help patients who don’t or can’t fill their prescriptions for chronic health conditions.

Doubling the dose

This is the latest move into pharmaceuticals by Amazon, which on top of One Medical also acquired medical startup PillPack for $750 million in 2019.

Amazon does not disclose the official number of prescriptions it fills yearly, its pharmaceutical and healthcare financials, or specific revenues for Amazon Pharmacy. In an earnings call in July, CEO Andy Jassy said Amazon Pharmacy grew 50% year-over-year “on an already significant size base.”

Amazon’s pharmaceutical kiosk expansion comes as other longtime pharmacies are facing their own troubles and sizing down.

Walgreens Boots Alliance—owner of Walgreens Pharmacy—announced mass closures last year and was taken private in August of this year, while Rite Aid has closed all of its locations after filing for bankruptcy. Meanwhile, CVS—the sector’s leader with a 33% market share—plans on closing 270 stores in 2025.

Good news for those who want to get their prescriptions via One Medical: Patients do not need to be a member or pay a fee if they are not enrolled in Amazon Prime.

As for prescription choices, kiosks will be stocked with medication based on prescribing patterns of consumers living in that specific location.