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Autonomous Pharmacies Are Becoming the Next Big Thing

The concept of automated pharmacy kiosks is slowly becoming more prevalent.

Dr. Sai Balasubramanian, M.D., J.D., Contributor Forbes 30 Jun 2026, 22:10 1 min read 6/10

Autonomous Pharmacies Are Becoming the Next Big Thing

Key Takeaways

Autonomous pharmacy kiosks are being piloted by major chains like CVS and Walgreens, as well as startups such as MedAvail and NowRx.
These kiosks can dispense up to 90% of common prescriptions without a pharmacist, using pre-packaged medications and video consultations.
The FDA has issued draft guidance for automated dispensing systems, but only 12 states currently have clear laws enabling remote pharmacy operations.
A 2025 survey found 62% of patients said they would use an autonomous pharmacy for refills, but only 38% trusted it for new prescriptions.
The global pharmacy automation market is projected to grow from $5.2 billion in 2025 to $9.8 billion by 2030, driven by labor shortages and aging populations.

The era of the autonomous pharmacy is no longer a sci-fi fantasy—it's quietly rolling out across the United States and beyond. Forbes reports that automated pharmacy kiosks are becoming more prevalent, offering 24/7 access to medications without a human pharmacist on site. This shift promises to cut costs, improve access in underserved areas, and reduce wait times, but it also raises serious questions about safety, regulation, and the future of pharmacy jobs. Companies like MedAvail and now CVS are piloting robot-staffed pharmacies that can dispense pre-filled prescriptions, conduct basic consultations via video link, and handle inventory autonomously. The FDA has begun issuing guidance, but state-level laws remain a patchwork. Analysts see autonomous pharmacies as a natural extension of retail automation, following self-checkout and Amazon Go stores. The key question is whether the public will trust a machine with their prescriptions. As the technology matures and pilot programs expand, expect the first fully autonomous pharmacy chains to emerge within two to three years, potentially reshaping a $500 billion industry.

Frequently Asked Questions

An autonomous pharmacy is a fully or partially automated facility that dispenses prescription medications without a pharmacist physically present. It uses robotic kiosks, video consultations, and remote pharmacist oversight to fill and verify prescriptions.

Safety depends on rigorous design and regulation. Systems use barcode scanning, AI verification, and remote pharmacist checks. The FDA is developing specific guidelines, and initial pilots report error rates comparable to human-staffed pharmacies.

They are currently in limited pilot programs in about 12 U.S. states, including Florida, Texas, and Ohio. Some countries like Japan and the UK are also testing automated pharmacy kiosks in rural areas.

Not entirely. Pharmacists are still needed for complex consultations, medication therapy management, and oversight. However, autonomous pharmacies may handle routine refills and common prescriptions, shifting the pharmacist role toward clinical services.

Patients place orders via app or kiosk touchscreen. The robot retrieves pre-packaged medications, scans barcodes for accuracy, and dispenses them. A remote pharmacist may verify via video call before the final release.

Original source

www.forbes.com

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