Walmart Now Offering Prescription Drug Delivery in Select States

Walmart has announced the launch of prescription medication delivery to customers in select states, enhancing its healthcare offerings in response to growing demand. This development comes just a day after Amazon revealed its plans to expand in the pharmacy sector.

Currently, the delivery service is available in six states: Arkansas, Missouri, New York, Nevada, South Carolina, and Wisconsin. Walmart aims to extend pharmacy delivery to 49 states by the end of January. This new service accommodates both new prescriptions and medication refills.

With over 4,600 stores across the U.S., Walmart’s extensive footprint enables it to deliver medications to more than 86% of American households. A recent survey conducted by the retailer found that 55% of customers are interested in having their prescriptions delivered alongside their groceries and other items in a single online order. This service was especially favored by time-sensitive, busy families.

“We understand that healthcare is not a one-size-fits-all solution,” said Kevin Host, senior vice president of Pharmacy at Walmart U.S. “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.”

Customers can access the pharmacy delivery service through the Walmart app or the retailer’s website. Future delivery options will include same-day scheduled delivery, on-demand, and express delivery. Insurance plans will be applied to transactions just as they are in-store.

For Walmart+ members, prescription delivery will be free, while non-members will incur a fee of $9.95.

The interest in pharmacy services among retail giants is evident, with Amazon also announcing plans to open 20 pharmacies next year. While the exact locations have not been disclosed, cities such as Boston, Dallas, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, and San Diego have been mentioned. These pharmacies will be situated at Amazon’s Same-Day Delivery sites, further indicating the competitive landscape in the pharmacy market.