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Sunday, May 18th
Amazon Pharmacy has been operating since its launch on November 17, 2020. This marked Amazon's significant entry into the retail pharmacy market, building on its earlier acquisition of PillPack in 2018. By leveraging Amazon's vast logistics network and advanced automation technology, Amazon Pharmacy provides fast and reliable delivery options, including same-day delivery in eligible areas. This service is particularly beneficial for those with limited mobility or those who struggle to visit physical pharmacies.
You've got lots of options to get the best savings
You won't need a Prime membership to get your prescriptions through Amazon Pharmacy. Simply sign up. You're free to use it with or without insurance, and there's a handy "check if we accept your insurance” link right below the Sign up/Sign in button. But, if you are a Prime subscriber, you can get exclusive discounts of up to 80%, or join RxPass for an extra $5 a month and get any eligible medications at no cost. And, don't overlook the manufacturer coupons that will be displayed on prescription meds for members and non-members alike, just like you're used to seeing on Amazon's other products.
Generic and brand-name Rx with clear prices and estimates
We really love how easy it is to find both generic and brand-name medications through Amazon Pharmacy, with prices clearly displayed for all available options. Let's take a look at the three popular prescriptions we used across all of the online pharmacies on our list, and see how Amazon measures up:
One-stop shop for sniffle-stoppers, snacks, and supplements
And, of course, with all the convenience of Amazon, you already know you can get just about any OTC remedy you might need (...or some chocolate to go with those cramps... or some Kleenex to get you through a sinus infection until the antibiotics kick in...).
Same-day delivery in some metro areas (plus drones)
How about delivery timeframes? As you would probably expect from Amazon, the pharmacy has same-day delivery in certain areas. Those include Austin, Indianapolis, Greater Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, Orlando, Phoenix, and Seattle. Beyond those areas, you expect your prescriptions to be delivered to any physical address (no PO boxes, Amazon Lockers, or other pickup points) within 1-4 days. And, get this: if you live in College Station, Texas, you can even get drone delivery. (Who's up for a little road trip to try that out?)
On-call pharmacists and doctors for telehealth refills
Need extra help? Amazon Pharmacy's pharmacists are available 24/7 to answer any questions or address any concerns you may have. And, on most medications, there's a button for "Request a prescription” if you're out of meds or need refills and can't get it from your PCP for some reason. There are separate fees for that service; you can expect that to be around $29 for a message visit or $49 for a video visit, and wait times range from 30 minutes to 2 hours.
Customer feedback is almost universally negative
We wanted to make Amazon Pharmacy the #1 option on our list, and it's true that there's a lot to be excited about, at first glance. However, when we looked at recent customer feedback outside of the glowing reviews on Amazon itself, we weren't reassured - not even a little. Over on Trustpilot, for example, a whopping 91% of the 200+ reviews there were just 1 star. Problems like "can't confirm my address and customer service cannot solve the issue”, "much higher prices”, and "hardly has anything other than antidepressants and antibiotics” are just a few of the reasons behind the low ratings for Amazon Pharmacy. (Our favorite was probably "Amazon Pharmacy blows harder than a Cat 5 hurricane.”)
Not reliable enough yet
At the end of the day, all we can give Amazon Pharmacy is a cautious score. All of the surface-level convenience and competitive pricing won't matter if the cost goes up at the time of your order, your meds are out of stock and not delivered for a long time (especially when they're readily available elsewhere), or you can't get the help you need when there's a problem. We hope that Amazon can work out the bugs and become as hassle-free and reliable as they are for just about everything else, but for now, their online pharmacy services just don't cut it.
Have you ever made that oh-so-familiar "pick up the refills” trip to the pharmacy, only to get stuck in line behind someone asking a million questions? If so, switching to an online pharmacy could be a game-changer. After all, ordering medication online is becoming more popular, and it's easy to see why.
You get the convenience of shopping from home, the potential to save money, and the privacy of handling sensitive health needs without the awkward face-to-face conversations. Whether you need a daily prescription, over-the-counter meds, or even pet medications, an online pharmacy can deliver it all right to your door - and usually for less than you'd spend at a brick-and-mortar store.
Let's be honest - convenience is a big part of the appeal. Instead of rushing to the pharmacy before it closes or standing in line when you're not feeling well, you can hop online, place an order, and be done in minutes. Most online pharmacies have user-friendly websites and apps where you can upload prescriptions, browse medications, and even set up automatic refills. Some sites will even remind you when it's time to reorder, so you're not scrambling at the last second.
And the savings? That's another huge perk. Traditional pharmacies have overhead costs - think rent, staff, and inventory - that get passed on to you. Online pharmacies often operate with lower expenses, which means you could score better prices on both prescription and over-the-counter meds. Many sites accept insurance, and you can usually find discounts or coupons for extra savings. If you're managing a long-term condition or need medication regularly, these savings can really add up.
Privacy is another reason people turn to online pharmacies. If you need medication for a sensitive health issue, ordering online can feel a lot less stressful than talking to someone in person. Most online pharmacies offer discreet packaging, so neither the mail carrier nor the UPS delivery guy will know what's inside. Some even provide virtual consultations with licensed pharmacists or doctors, so you can get professional advice without having to leave your couch.
That said, not all online pharmacies are created equal, so it's important to choose wisely. The last thing you want is to get stuck with counterfeit medication or poor customer service. To stay safe, make sure the pharmacy is properly licensed and accredited, like those certified by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP). A reputable pharmacy will always require a valid prescription for prescription medications - if they don't, that's a major red flag. Also, look for secure payment options, and check out customer reviews to make sure other people have had good experiences.
If you're ready to give online pharmacies a try, here are a few things to keep in mind when comparing your options:
Using the research we've done at Top Consumer Reviews, you can find a trusted online pharmacy that delivers exactly what you need - without the hassle of a trip to the pharmacy. Switching to an online pharmacy can make managing your health easier, more affordable, and way less stressful.
Select any 2 Online Pharmacies to compare them head to head