Walmart Expands Same-Day Pharmacy Delivery to Include Refrigerated Medications Nationwide
TL;DR
Walmart gains competitive advantage by becoming the first retailer to deliver refrigerated prescriptions with groceries in single orders, capturing over 30% of pharmacy sales.
Walmart's pharmacy delivery uses insulated packaging with temperature control and light-blocking materials, with real-time tracking and electronic signature requirements for safety.
This service improves healthcare access for those with limited mobility or time constraints, making critical medications more convenient and accessible nationwide.
Walmart delivered a prescription in just nine minutes and has fulfilled over 4 million pharmacy orders since launching this innovative service.
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Walmart has expanded its same-day pharmacy delivery service to include refrigerated and reconstituted medications across the United States, making it the first retailer to offer cold-chain prescriptions together with groceries and everyday essentials in a single online order. This development allows Walmart to now deliver more than 90% of prescription medications, including temperature-sensitive drugs like insulin, GLP-1s, and pediatric amoxicillin, directly to customers' doors.
Kevin Host, senior vice president of Pharmacy at Walmart, stated that the company continues to unlock new levels of convenience while broadening access to critical medications. The addition of refrigerated prescriptions to pharmacy delivery capabilities results from listening to customers and creating better, seamless experiences that keep communities at the heart of Walmart's operations. The service expansion comes just one year after piloting Pharmacy Delivery and less than eight months after expanding it chainwide.
Walmart has already fulfilled over 4 million pharmacy delivery orders, with the fastest delivery recorded at just nine minutes. Refrigerated medications represent over 30% of Walmart Pharmacy sales, making this delivery option particularly valuable for customers with limited time or access, or those who prefer shopping from home. The service offers three delivery options: Same-Day Scheduled, On-Demand, or Express, with insurance applied automatically as it would be in stores.
The company has implemented multiple safety measures to ensure medication quality during delivery. Customers can track their order status in real time through the Walmart app, while refrigerated medications are placed in insulated bags that maintain safe temperatures. These bags feature light-blocking materials that shield sensitive prescriptions from UV and ambient light exposure. All deliveries require in-person receipt with electronic signature confirmation.
With more than 15,000 pharmacists nationwide, Walmart provides not just medication delivery but also trusted counsel, immunizations, and health screenings. The company's industry-leading $4 generic prescription program, available for nearly two decades, is also eligible for delivery. Walmart+ members receive free pharmacy delivery as a membership benefit, while non-members pay fees based on delivery preference.
This expansion represents Walmart's commitment to blending digital innovation with physical scale, redefining omnichannel retail by bringing affordable, high-quality groceries, essentials, and medications to customers wherever they choose to shop. The service enables practical solutions for families, such as having antibiotics, soup, and medical supplies delivered together when a child is ill, eliminating the need for separate pharmacy visits.
Curated from citybiz
