Amazon (AMZN) is trialing same-day prescription medication delivery in New York City and Los Angeles ahead of what it hopes will be wider distribution in coming months.
The prescriptions are purchased by consumers through Amazon’s online pharmacy service, which launched in 2020.
Amazon Pharmacy enables consumers to order prescription drugs for home delivery, with free shipping for Prime members.
To deliver the medication same day, Amazon said it’s using smaller facilities that are stocked with the most common prescription medications for acute conditions.
The locations will be able to process prescription medication orders “within minutes” rather than hours or days, said Amazon.
While Amazon is starting its same-day prescription drug trial with New York and Los Angeles, the company plans to add more than a dozen other U.S. cities by year’s end.
Last autumn, Amazon began sending prescription medications via drones in parts of Texas, where the company is using unmanned aircraft to deliver items weighing five pounds or less.
Amazon added that it is using electronic bikes to handle some Amazon Pharmacy deliveries in New York City due to the traffic congestion in the area.
The stock of Amazon has gained 83% over the past 12 months to trade at $179.71 U.S. per share.
