Amazon Pharmacy is launching drone deliveries of prescription medications.
Amazon Pharmacy is launching drone deliveries of prescription medications.
These deliveries promise to arrive within 60 minutes of ordering via Amazon Pharmacy.
These deliveries promise to arrive within 60 minutes of ordering via Amazon Pharmacy.
The initial city for this service is College Station, Texas.
The initial city for this service is College Station, Texas.
Amazon Pharmacy currently covers about 500 medications, including those for flu, asthma, and pneumonia.
Amazon Pharmacy currently covers about 500 medications, including those for flu, asthma, and pneumonia.
The drone delivery service will be initially free, open to all customers (not just Amazon Prime members).
The drone delivery service will be initially free, open to all customers (not just Amazon Prime members).
The only other market with Prime Air drone deliveries is Lockeford, California.
The only other market with Prime Air drone deliveries is Lockeford, California.
Amazon has expanded its Pharmacy services in various markets, adding features like RxPass for regular medication access.
Amazon has expanded its Pharmacy services in various markets, adding features like RxPass for regular medication access.
Amazon's drone delivery program has faced regulatory and technical challenges since its launch in 2016.
Amazon's drone delivery program has faced regulatory and technical challenges since its launch in 2016.
In contrast, some competitors like Walmart have made tens of thousands of deliveries using third-party drone providers.
In contrast, some competitors like Walmart have made tens of thousands of deliveries using third-party drone providers.
The introduction of drone deliveries to Amazon Pharmacy caters to the need for quick and convenient medication delivery for those unable to collect prescriptions in person.
The introduction of drone deliveries to Amazon Pharmacy caters to the need for quick and convenient medication delivery for those unable to collect prescriptions in person.
Amazon also offers virtual healthcare services through Amazon Clinic and One Medical.
Amazon also offers virtual healthcare services through Amazon Clinic and One Medical.
Adding drone deliveries to healthcare services helps narrow the "golden window" between illness and treatment.
Adding drone deliveries to healthcare services helps narrow the "golden window" between illness and treatment.
It can reduce high delivery truck costs associated with labor, operation, and insurance.
It can reduce high delivery truck costs associated with labor, operation, and insurance.
The College Station operation involves a local pharmacy overseeing medication loading onto drones.
The College Station operation involves a local pharmacy overseeing medication loading onto drones.
This model may lead to potential collaborations with other non-Amazon pharmacies for similar drone delivery services.
This model may lead to potential collaborations with other non-Amazon pharmacies for similar drone delivery services.