AS approves Health and Wellness vending machines for SMC Main Campus in Fall 2025

Graphic by Tom Rosholt

2024-25 Associated Students (A.S.) President David Duncan proposed Health and Wellness vending machines, which will include products such as Plan B for a cheaper price than local drugstores, to the A.S. Board of Directors during a meeting on May 19. The proposal projected the machines to appear on the Santa Monica College (SMC) main campus in Fall 2025. The Board unanimously approved and allotted $45,000 of A.S. money towards the project model. 

“This is a … big resource that could really benefit students,” Duncan said during the presentation. 

The options for health and wellness around SMC’s main campus is lacking, with the closest options being pharmacies that are 0.7 miles to 1.5 miles away. This is roughly a 15 to 35 minute walk for students.

SimpliCheck, the company providing the vending machines, focuses on accessible health and wellness vending for higher education campuses. Additionally, they are responsible for servicing the machines and A.S. “would lease one of these machines for a term of three to five years,” Duncan said. 

The health and wellness vending machines will allow students to purchase products within the machine near-at-cost, which translates to the products being ultimately cheaper than ones found at local pharmacies. The range of products available is adjustable by A.S., including Advil or Tylenol and will expand towards Plan B and pregnancy tests.

The vending machines will also include products such as menstrual pain relievers, hair ties, band-aids, dental dams and eye drops, as well as snacks and drinks. 

“For example, Plan B is normally upwards to $50 at the drugstore,” Duncan said. Plan B from SimpliCheck vending machines will approximate to $10. 

Privacy is a priority regarding the machines and will save students the trip to the basic needs department or pharmacy, where Duncan says students may feel embarrassed asking for products such as pregnancy tests.