Vending

URI wellness vending machine offers 24/7 access to health products

Photo: URI

May 20, 2025

The University of Rhode Island is providing students with around-the-clock access to low-cost health products through a wellness vending machine in its Robert L. Carothers Library & Learning Commons.

The initiative is a partnership between URI's College of Pharmacy and Health Services designed to improve convenience and privacy, according to a press release

The machine, discreetly located, offers a range of products including over-the-counter pain relievers, COVID-19 tests, menstrual products, sexual health items like emergency contraception and condoms, and harm reduction supplies such as naloxone.

"The wellness vending machine removes the barrier of access to products students might need," Jessica Greene, assistant director of Health Promotion and Wellness for URI Health Services, said in the release.

Items that are typically free at Health Services cost 10 cents from the machine as a "restocking fee," with other products priced between $2 and $8, currently payable by student RAM cards.

The project originated from an idea by pharmacy students in 2022 and launched its first machine on February 7, 2024, following student surveys to determine product selection.

"This has been a great collaboration between Health Services and the College of Pharmacy," Jennifer Hodshon, director of Health Services, said in the release. "Wellness vending machines are a huge trend right now in college health."