Albertsons writes script for fast prescription delivery

Select Albertsons Cos. pharmacies are minimizing the wait time for medications.

Customers can now get prescription delivery in as little as one to two hours at Albertsons Cos. pharmacies in Louisiana, Texas, California, and the District of Columbia. Specifically, the new service is available at Safeway pharmacies in San Jose, Calif. and Washington, D.C.; Albertsons pharmacies in Louisiana; Randalls pharmacies in Austin and Houston; and Albertsons and Tom Thumb pharmacies in Dallas-Fort Worth.

The company plans to introduce one-to-two-hour prescription delivery to additional markets throughout 2020. The new service complements the same-day, next-day, and mail delivery available at most of Albertsons Cos.’ 1,700-plus pharmacies. Customers can also add over-the-counter medications to their orders.

To schedule a prescription delivery, patients call their Albertsons pharmacy where their prescription was processed to request and set up delivery. Where available, patients can also use their local store’s pharmacy app to set up prescription delivery once they get the confirmation text that their prescription is ready. Delivery fees vary per market.

Once the prescription is ready for delivery, the pharmacy packages the medications in tamper-proof packaging and Albertsons’ delivery partner ScriptDrop is notified. ScriptDrop then works with drivers who are HIPAA-compliant and specially trained to deliver prescriptions while protecting private patient information. The drivers use a special app that tracks their progress and sends the patient live text updates when their prescription is out for delivery. All delivered prescriptions must be signed for at the patient’s delivery location.

“It is our mission to take care of our patients and help them achieve their health and wellness goals. If they can’t make it to the pharmacy, then we want to take the pharmacy to them,” said Mark Panzer, senior VP, Albertsons Cos. pharmacy health and wellness. “These delivery services eliminate barriers to medication adherence, first and foremost. They also make our patients’ lives easier because our pharmacy services are more accessible and convenient.”

“Albertsons Cos. was an early-adopter of our vision of the future of pharmacy and utilizing technology to improve the patient experience. The entire ScriptDrop team is elated at the opportunity to grow our partnership alongside Albertsons Cos.' innovative team," said Nick Potts, founder and CEO of ScriptDrop. "ScriptDrop’s technology and infrastructure allows the pharmacies to follow through with their initiatives to improve medication access for patients, which resonates with the mission of Albertsons Cos. pharmacies."

Albertsons operates stores across 34 states and the District of Columbia under 20 banners including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw’s, Acme, Tom Thumb, Randalls, United Supermarkets, Pavilions, Star Market, Haggen, and Carrs.