Walmart plans to deliver prescriptions nationwide in as little as 30 minutes

Walmart will begin delivering prescriptions across the U.S. early next year, as the retailing giant strives to keep pace with rival Amazon in competing for health care dollars. 

Walmart's new service includes new prescriptions and refills, which customers can receive along with groceries and other products, the Bentonville, Arkansas-based company announced on Tuesday. Prescriptions will be delivered in as little as 30 minutes and should be available for over 86% of American households, according to Walmart.

The offering is already live in Arkansas, Missouri, New York, Nevada, South Carolina and Wisconsin, and is expected to be available in 49 states by the end of January, reaching tens of millions of customers.