CVS Pharmacy to offer next-day delivery

As Amazon explores whether to enter the prescription drug business, Woonsocket, R.I.-based CVS Health said today that it will offer next-day delivery of prescriptions and retail merchandise beginning in 2018.

While next-day delivery will be available nationwide next year, CVS will provide same-day delivery in certain markets, beginning with Manhattan on Dec. 4 of this year. CVS stores in San Francisco, Miami, Boston, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., will also offer same-day delivery.

"Our goal is to meet the needs of all of our customers wherever, however and whenever they want," said Helena Foulkes, executive vice president of CVS Health and president of CVS Pharmacy. "Providing same and next-day options for delivery of medications is just another way we can help our patients get and stay healthy."

CVS Pharmacy also continues to expand its partnership with Instacart to offer personal shopping at 2,600 CVS Pharmacy stores across the country for delivery of front-of-store products, including healthful food choices, beauty products and over-the-counter medications, with plans to expand the service to reach 50 percent of U.S. households by year end.