Walmart launches same-day prescription drug delivery in 6 states
With CVS, Rite Aid and Walgreens closing drugstores, Walmart is jumping into same-day Rx delivery – in direct competition with Amazon – and will be available in 49 states by January 2025.
With leading drugstore chains – Walgreens, CVS and Rite Aid– closing stores, Walmart announced yesterday that it’s expanding delivery offerings – integrating prescription medications and general merchandise into one streamlined single order for same-day delivery. Coming soon, customers be able to receive their prescription within hours or with Express Delivery in as soon as 30 minutes.
The new offering is now available in six states: Arkansas, Missouri, New York, Nevada, South Carolina and Wisconsin. By the end of January 2025, Walmart’s Pharmacy Delivery is expected to be available in 49 states, reaching 86% of U.S. households.
Pharmacy Delivery is available for both new prescriptions and medication refills. Customers will be able to schedule their Pharmacy Delivery for a specific time that fits their schedule. Walmart+ members, who pay a $98 annual fee for a variety of benefits, will receive free Pharmacy Delivery, while non-Walmart+ members pay $9.95.
Walmart, which has nearly 4,600 store locations with pharmacies, will offer all medications through Pharmacy Delivery, except for controlled substances, those that need refrigeration, and Medicare Part B items.
Related: Walgreens to close 1,200 drugstores, in ‘turnaround’ after $3B loss
“Our extensive footprint across the nation combined with our deep expertise in pharmacy uniquely positions us to make a profound impact in the communities we serve,” said Kevin Host, senior vice president of Pharmacy at Walmart U.S. “We understand that health care is not a one-size-fits-all solution. It’s hyper-local. Each community has unique needs. This new offering allows us to continue serving customers while also giving more time back to our pharmacies for high-touch health services.”
By integrating the pharmacy offering into delivery with the Walmart app, customers will be able to add prescriptions along with other items from their local Walmart in a single order, available both in-app and online.
Earlier this month, Amazon, which now offers same-day delivery service in eight cities, announced that it plans to add 20 more cities to the rapid drug delivery service in 2025.