Bentonville, Arkansas-based Walmart has expanded its same-day pharmacy delivery to customers in 49 states across the U.S., becoming the first retailer to integrate pharmacy, general merchandise and grocery in a single online order.
According to Walmart, same-day pharmacy delivery uses a combination of in-store and cloud-based technology platforms, artificial intelligence capabilities and a new geospatial platform.
Launched in six states in October, pharmacy delivery is led by more than 15,000 pharmacists across the country who give customers more convenient access to care through the dispensing and delivery of prescriptions and medication refills, with a few select exceptions.
Seven out of eight Americans choose their pharmacy based on how convenient it is for them, according to a recent Walmart study.
In response, hundreds of employees from dozens of technology teams collaborated to connect pharmacy systems to e-commerce, scheduling and delivery systems, while ensuring HIPAA compliance and protecting customer privacy. The network is connected to Walmart’s AI-powered delivery platform, Spark.
In addition, the platform uses geospatial technology to define delivery catchments (areas) with greater precision. These are customized for each store using customer insights and external data – an approach that reportedly outperforms traditional metrics such as zip code or distance from the store. The technology recently powered the expansion of regular delivery to 12 million additional households.
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“It’s an expectation now that you can have your groceries delivered – you can have everything you need delivered to your home,” said Bonnie Chandler, pharmacy manager at Store 4460 in North Little Rock, Arkansas. “Your healthcare should be similar to that as well.”
A pharmacist with Walmart for more than 30 years, Chandler has seen the industry evolve in a way that prioritizes access to care and added convenience for customers.
“Pharmacy Delivery is going to help save them time,” she said. “It just gives you one more option to have what you need at your fingertips…without having to leave your home.”
Once a pharmacist fills a prescription, customers are notified through their Walmart.com accounts that their orders are ready. At this time, they can select the delivery method – same-day scheduled, on-demand or express.
Insurance plans will be applied to transactions as they would in-store. A driver will bring the order during the preferred time window. Medications are delivered in tamper-evident packaging. Customers can track their orders in real time.
Walmart+ members will receive free pharmacy delivery as a benefit, while those who aren’t will be charged based on delivery preference.
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