Amazon Pharmacy Introduces Automated Prescription Kiosks in Los Angeles Clinics

Amazon Pharmacy is set to launch a new network of automated kiosks in medical practices across the greater Los Angeles area, beginning in December 2025. These self-service kiosks aim to streamline the process of obtaining prescription medications for patients immediately following their doctor's appointments.

The kiosks will be strategically placed in neighborhoods including Downtown Los Angeles, West Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Long Beach, and West Hollywood. Initially, access will be limited to individuals with appointments at Amazon One Medical clinics--Amazon's primary care service that offers both membership-based and pay-per-visit options. The company has indicated plans to expand the service to additional locations in the future.

Each kiosk will stock a broad selection of commonly prescribed medications, such as antibiotics, inhalers, and blood pressure treatments. The range of available drugs will be tailored to the prescribing habits observed at each specific location. However, medications that require refrigeration or are classified as controlled substances will not be available at these kiosks.

To use the service, patients must have an Amazon Pharmacy account and an appointment at a participating One Medical clinic. After a physician submits a prescription electronically to Amazon Pharmacy, patients can retrieve their medication by scanning a QR code at the kiosk. Before dispensing, a licensed Amazon pharmacist will review the prescription to ensure accuracy and compliance. Patients will then collect their medications directly from the kiosk.

Amazon Pharmacy highlights the potential of these kiosks to address what the company refers to as 'pharmacy deserts'--areas where access to traditional pharmacies is limited. By integrating pharmacy services within medical practices, Amazon aims to remove barriers such as additional travel and long wait times, which can often lead to patients failing to fill their prescriptions. The company emphasized that the kiosk experience is designed to be simple, efficient, and centered around patient needs.

To maintain a high level of patient support, each kiosk transaction includes access to Amazon pharmacists via video or telephone consultation. This ensures that patients have the opportunity to receive guidance and ask questions about their medications, mirroring the support typically provided at a traditional pharmacy counter.

While Amazon Pharmacy argues that these new kiosks will bring essential pharmacy services closer to patients, there has been some debate regarding whether the selected locations truly suffer from limited pharmacy access. Nonetheless, the initiative demonstrates Amazon's continued investment in healthcare infrastructure and its broader strategy to integrate digital health services with physical points of care.

This latest development follows Amazon Pharmacy's recent expansion of same-day prescription delivery and the opening of new pharmacy locations across the United States, as the company seeks to enhance medication adherence and improve the overall healthcare experience for patients.