Prescription Race: Amazon Ramps Up Same-Day Delivery In Major Cities

Amazon.com Inc's (NASDAQ: AMZN) Amazon Pharmacy has launched Same-Day Delivery of prescription medication in New York City and the greater Los Angeles area.

Customers who need medication to manage flu, high blood pressure, diabetes, and other common conditions can now get their medications delivered to their door within hours.

The e-commerce giant has plans to expand the service to more than a dozen U.S. cities by the end of the year.

Customers in Austin, Indianapolis, Miami, Phoenix, and Seattle can already access Same-Day Delivery, while customers in College Station, Texas, can get their medications delivered in under an hour through drone delivery.

The company is using new small-format facilities to stock common prescription medications and be closer to where customers live.

Amazon Pharmacy's new small-format facility in Brooklyn carries more than 12,000 medications available from Amazon.com.

The company may use eco-friendly e-bikes, drones and all-electric vans or other commercial vehicles to drop off medications at the customer's door, depending upon the city.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning help pharmacists fill prescriptions more quickly and accurately.

"By bringing Amazon Pharmacy's deliveries into our existing world-class logistics network, Amazon is building the fastest and most convenient service for the home delivery of prescription medications," said Doug Herrington, CEO of Worldwide Amazon Stores.

Price Action: AMZN shares are trading lower by 0.06% at $179.61 on the last check Tuesday.