Walmart Introduces Same-Day Prescription Delivery Service
The offering will become available in 49 states by next year.
Waves were made when Walmart unveiled its update delivery services—now, prescription medications and general merchandise will be combined under one single delivery order.1
The service has launched in six states thus far—Arkansas, Missouri, New York, Nevada, South Carolina, and Wisconsin—but Walmart expects its pharmacy delivery (in the form of both new Rxs and refills) to be available in 49 states by the end of January 2025. The only exceptions to Walmart’s delivery program are controlled substances, meds that require refrigeration, and items that fall under Medicare Part B.
The newly announced service can offer an added convenience to more than 86% homes across the United States; it also considers those individuals who may not have the time make multiple trips to the store, whether that be families, seniors, or anyone in between.
“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," noted Kevin Host, SVP of pharmacy at Walmart US. “We understand that healthcare 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.”
The only exceptions to Walmart’s delivery program are controlled substances, meds that require refrigeration, and items that fall under Medicare Part B.
So how did we get to this point? Walmart had conducted a recent survey in which 55% of customers conveyed an interest in having their prescriptions, alongside their groceries and other items, in a single online order. It was also the most requested among those who identified as “time-sensitive, busy families.”
Bill Roth, general manager and managing partner of IntegriChain’s consulting business, which includes Blue Fin Group, a strategy consulting company, told Pharma Commerce that this development provides a glimmer of hope for a retail pharmacy sector that had been experiencing tough times.
“In a proverbial sea of retail pharmacy bad news, it’s nice to see at least one major pharmacy retailer moving forward,” he said. “They haven’t announced any pharmacy location closures and are at 4,600 strong. As other retailers struggle with evolving their businesses to ecommerce/mail, it appears that Walmart is making headway with home delivery. As Lisa Smith, Group Director Pharmacy Health Services from Walmart shared with us on the stage at Access Insights2 last week, Walmart is one of the few pharmacies that is thriving, investing in and advancing pharmacy, and in many states, has pharmacies leaning into having their pharmacists practice at the top of their licenses. I personally think Walmart may be the retail pharmacy chain to watch in 2025.”
Customers will be able to add their prescriptions and other items from their local Walmart in a one order, either via the app or online. Delivery options will ultimately include same-day scheduled delivery, along with on demand and express delivery (within hours or as soon as 30 minutes). Walmart+ members will qualify for free pharmacy delivery, while Non-Walmart+ members will pay the standard $9.95 delivery fee.
Since these transactions would occur online, new or current insurance plans would be applied the same way as they normally would be when one picks up an Rx in the store.
However, there is also concern regarding the repercussions of such a program, due to the insurance costs that other medications—particularly specialty and more complex ones—could incur.
“Even in the pharmacy industry, we are seeing consumer expectations of overnight and even same-day delivery that we see with virtually all other industries. As Walmart is trying to grow the new Walmart+ program, the costs may not matter now, but it will be interesting to see if this medication delivery model will be cost-prohibitive over time,” explained Shaun Jensen, founder and CEO of JB Consulting. “This makes sense for a retail channel, where Walmart hopes to deliver cough drops and a can of soup with your cold medicine all within a 30-minute window. With specialty medications and more complex therapies, the insurance burdens alone will prevent same-day delivery anytime soon. Perhaps consumer demands on the retail side will eventually force benefit managers to expedite the start of even complex therapies.”
Pharma Commerce will report back on updates as they become available.
References
1. Accelerating Convenience: Walmart Launches Nationwide Same-Day Pharmacy Delivery, Helping Customers Live Better. Walmart. October 22, 2024. Accessed October 22, 2024. https://corporate.walmart.com/news/2024/10/22/accelerating-convenience-walmart-launches-nationwide-same-day-pharmacy-delivery-helping-customers-live-better
2. Access Insights Conference Webpage. Pharmaceutical Commerce. https://www.pharmaceuticalcommerce.com/conferences/access-insights-conference
