02:52 PM EDT, 10/22/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Walmart ( WMT ) announced a new online shopping feature on Tuesday that allows customers to integrate general merchandise and pharmacy purchases into a single order for home delivery.

The company said it is the first retailer to roll out this type of functionality, which is set to be available in 49 states by 2025. The offering launched in Arkansas, Missouri, New York, Nevada, South Carolina and Wisconsin on Tuesday. Shares of Walmart ( WMT ) were up 1.7% in afternoon trade.

"If you're sick, we can deliver the necessary medicine along with everything else you need to feel better: cough drops, a heating pad, blanket and orange juice," Walmart US Chief eCommerce Officer Tom Ward said in a statement.

The pharmacy offering covers new prescriptions and medication refills, and be integrated into delivery within the Walmart ( WMT ) app, the company said.

In a recent poll, Walmart ( WMT ) found that prescription delivery was the top service requested by customers, with 55% of respondents saying they would like to have prescriptions delivered alongside groceries and other merchandise.

"We understand that health care is not a one-size-fits-all solution. It's hyper-local," said Kevin Host, Walmart US's senior vice president of pharmacy.

The company has nearly 4,600 store locations with pharmacies and is able to deliver to more than 86% of US households, according to Walmart ( WMT ). New or existing insurance plans will be applied to the transaction just as they would in-store.

E-commerce penetration grew across all of Walmart's ( WMT ) segments in the second quarter, with global e-commerce sales up 21%, the company announced in August.

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