(Reuters) – Walmart (WMT) said on Tuesday it will deliver prescription drugs and refills, along with groceries and other items, in one order in as little as 30 minutes as part of a new express delivery option.
The retail flagship’s latest move comes several days after tech giant Amazon.com (AMZN) announced plans to open pharmacies with same-day delivery options in 20 new U.S. cities in 2025. It took place a week later.
Walmart’s previous efforts to ship prescription drugs typically took at least five to seven business days, but charged an additional $15 for overnight delivery on request.
The company, which has approximately 4,600 pharmacies, said the new delivery option is available in six states: Arkansas, Missouri, New York, Nevada, South Carolina and Wisconsin.
It is scheduled to be distributed in 49 states by the end of January next year.
Walmart Plus members get free delivery, while non-members have to pay the standard rate of $9.95.
The retailer has added the option for customers to choose on-demand or expedited delivery, where they can get their items in as little as 30 minutes, or same-day delivery, which allows them to schedule their orders for a specific time.
“Customers can seamlessly add their prescriptions along with other products from their local Walmart in one order, available both in-app and online,” the company said.
The company offers Medicare Part B products that cover all medicines except controlled substances, medicines that require refrigeration, outpatient care, and other services.
Healthcare company CVS Health offers free same-day shipping to customers through its membership program CarePass.
Pharmacy chain Walgreens offers 24-hour delivery of groceries, over-the-counter medications, and more.
Walmart announced earlier this year that it would close all 51 clinics and its virtual health care business because it does not believe this business model is sustainable.
(Reporting by Ananya Mariam Rajesh in Bengaluru; Editing by Shreya Biswas)
