On Wednesday, Amazon announced plans to enhance its pharmacy network next year, aiming to provide same-day delivery of prescriptions to nearly half of the population in the United States.

This move by the Seattle-based company comes as other major pharmacy chains like Walgreens, CVS, and Rite Aid are closing stores and pharmacies.

According to a press release, Amazon is utilizing its extensive logistics network and cutting-edge automation to tackle a significant challenge in pharmacy: making medications more convenient and affordable to obtain.

Amanda Pharmacy will introduce 20 additional pharmacies to its network in 2025, enabling quicker access to medications for more customers, shared John Love, vice president of Amazon Pharmacy in an interview with YSL News.

“We’ve consistently emphasized that U.S. healthcare needs improvement concerning time and cost savings,” he stated. “Accessing care is challenging, both in terms of availability and affordability.”

“We are already shipping medications promptly across the country, with over 90% delivered within two days. However, when you’re unwell or have a sick child at home, you often require immediate access to medications,” he added.

By the end of 2025, approximately 45% of Amazon customers in the U.S. are expected to qualify for same-day prescription delivery. Generally, this means that if a customer places an order by 4 p.m., they can expect to receive it at home by 10 p.m.

In certain areas, such as Seattle, there will be up to five delivery windows available throughout the day, according to Love.

How Does Amazon Pharmacy Function?

The upcoming pharmacies will not be physical stores where customers can walk in. Instead, they will be part of Amazon Same-Day Delivery hubs, facilitating swifter medication deliveries directly to customers’ homes, according to Amazon officials.

The new, smaller pharmacies will “support Amazon Pharmacy’s already automated fulfillment centers, which utilize robotic technology and are managed by a skilled team of licensed pharmacists and pharmacy technicians,” Amazon stated. These pharmacies will operate within the same delivery network used by Amazon’s retail platform.

Amazon Pharmacies provide customers with 24/7 access to a pharmacist.

While a few cities for this expansion have been officially named, more will be revealed soon. So far, Boston, Dallas, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, and San Diego have been confirmed.

Medications available will range from 30-day to 90-day supplies, which are usually provided by mail-order pharmacies. Amazon Prime members will receive free shipping, while delivery fees will apply for non-members. Customers can use various insurance plans or pay out-of-pocket, and Amazon offers a subscription service called Amazon RX Pass.

The medications available through Amazon Pharmacy include popular prescriptions that are typically found in retail pharmacies, but they will not carry Schedule II controlled substances, such as oxycodone, or certain specialty medications like cancer treatment drugs that require physician administration, Love explained.

The Importance of Fast Access to Medications

A major issue in healthcare is the delay in receiving treatment, said Dr. Vin Gupta, chief medical officer of Amazon Pharmacy.

Since 2020, 41% of individuals have admitted to postponing medical treatment, and on average, consumers have spent 13 hours annually in pharmacies waiting for their medications, Gupta told YSL News.

As more individuals defer treatments and confront “pharmacy deserts,” or areas lacking easy access to pharmacies, their health is affected, Gupta noted.

Limited access to healthcare professionals further complicates acquiring necessary prescriptions, Gupta added. Amazon also provides a service, One Medical, allowing consumers to consult with physicians via telehealth and at select in-person locations.

Understanding Pharmacy Deserts

Approximately 46% of U.S. counties feature at least one “pharmacy desert,” defined as an area located ten or more miles away from the nearest retail pharmacy, according to a recent article published in the American Medical Association’s journal, JAMA.

As pharmacies close, more individuals find it challenging to access medications, leading to more severe consequences for specific communities. “Those already at the highest risk of neglect by the healthcare system are the most likely to suffer from pharmacy closures,” the report indicated.