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Amazon is launching pharmacy kiosks in Los Angeles doctor's offices, aiming to speed up prescription access but facing hurdles in logistics, reach, and cost.
October 16, 2025
Source:
Amazon
How Amazon’s In-Office Kiosks Work
Immediate Medication Access
Amazon Pharmacy will open self-serve kiosks inside One Medical clinics across Los Angeles, starting December 2025. Patients can pick up common prescriptions minutes after their appointment, with no need to visit a separate pharmacy (Fierce Healthcare).
Create or use an Amazon Pharmacy account
Providers send prescriptions directly to Amazon
Patients use the Amazon app for checkout and receive a QR code
Scan the code at the kiosk to claim medication on-site
Kiosks will stock hundreds of widely used medications but will not dispense controlled substances or specialty drugs. Inventory will be tailored to each location’s typical prescribing patterns (STAT News).
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Getty Images
Barriers to Execution
Operational and Cost Challenges
Industry experts highlight cost concerns as the primary obstacle to the kiosk model. “The cost of running and maintaining these kiosks is very, very expensive—it's exceedingly expensive,” said Michael Greeley of Flare Capital Partners (Modern Healthcare).
Ongoing maintenance, restocking, and repairs are resource-intensive
Constant connectivity and power required at each site
Previous medical kiosks have struggled to operate at scale
Not for Underserved Communities (Yet)
Amazon positions kiosks as a solution for "pharmacy deserts." Yet, the initial rollout only covers urban, affluent areas in LA: Downtown, West LA, Beverly Hills, Long Beach, and West Hollywood (Healthcare Dive).
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