Dive Brief:
- Publix now offers prescription home delivery to customers located within a five-mile radius of its in-store pharmacies, according to a press release. The service, offered in partnership with prescription delivery platform ScriptDrop, has a $5 delivery fee and is not available for patients with Medicare Part B or Medicaid insurance.
- There are no limits on the number of prescriptions that a customer can request for delivery, however controlled substances, refrigerated products like insulin and age-restricted medications cannot be delivered.
- Customers get a text message when their orders are ready with a payment link for the medications and can choose a delivery time. All prescriptions are delivered on weekdays after 2 p.m. but must be ordered before 11 a.m. for same-day delivery. If an order is placed after 11 a.m., it will be delivered the following day.
Dive Insight:
By launching prescription delivery for the first time, Publix will reduce the number of customers that visit physical stores during COVID-19 pandemic, including those that might be at high risk for contracting the virus.
“As a health care provider, Publix Pharmacy has adopted business practices that support the social distancing guidance provided by the CDC,” Publix Vice President of Pharmacy Dain Rusk said in a statement. “We believe this service provides a convenient option for customers who are age 65 and over, have compromised immune systems or require medications but are limiting trips outside their homes.”
The retailer also noted that although the new service is being introduced during the pandemic, it plans to continue to offer prescription delivery after the crisis is over.
Partnering with ScriptDrop, which has experience working with other supermarket pharmacies, promises to make the transition to prescription delivery a smooth experience for both shoppers and the retailer. ScriptDrop launched a one- to two-hour prescription delivery service with Albertsons in December, and has worked with Homeland Stores.
Several other retailers have recently expanded their prescription delivery services. In April, Costco launched prescription delivery at 200 locations via Instacart and other retailers like H-E-B, CVS and Walgreens extended their free prescription delivery programs as well.
