Costco and Instacart are testing a one-hour prescription delivery service in both Washington and California. The service will be free for Costco members, who are ordering over $35 of items. Instacart will also add a five percent tip to all orders. Neither company has indicated how long it will operate the one-hour prescription delivery service.
All of the delivery personnel involved in the program will receive an HIPAA certification, which can be obtained online.
When a customer’s order arrives they will be notified by an Instacart text message. After an order has arrived, customers can show a valid ID to claim their order. Additionally, customers will be able to speak to a pharmacist over the phone if required.
Ultra-Fast Prescription Services
Costco and Instacart are Testing One-Hour Prescription Deliveries
Trend Themes
1. One-hour Prescription Deliveries - Opportunity for pharmacies and delivery services to provide ultra-fast prescription services for convenience and customer satisfaction.
2. HIPAA Certified Delivery Personnel - Potential for online certification programs to offer HIPAA certification for delivery personnel, ensuring privacy and compliance in healthcare deliveries.
3. Pharmacist Consultations Over Phone - A chance for pharmacies to offer remote pharmacist consultations, providing convenience and accessibility for customers in need of professional advice.
Industry Implications
1. Pharmaceutical Delivery Services - Disruptive innovation opportunity for companies specializing in efficient and timely prescription deliveries.
2. Healthcare Certification Programs - Potential growth in online certification programs offering HIPAA certification for delivery personnel, meeting the demand for qualified healthcare service providers in the delivery industry.
3. Telemedicine Services - Opportunity for telemedicine platforms to partner with pharmacies and offer remote pharmacist consultations to enhance their service offerings.