Let's talk about pharmacies/drug stores

Due to my insurance I have to get my prescriptions at CVS and I hate it. I used to do a mailing service and it was awesome. Every time I try to set up the mailing service CVS offers I get stuck in an endless loop and it never goes through.

I get my OTC medications at Target and almost always buy generic.

I have the Kroger's Savings Club card and it saves me on prescriptions. I only run my Mounjaro through insurance.

I have one script through mail order called Optum. That is the one my health insurance uses. It is cheaper there than other places.

We've always used the pharmacy at the grocery store where I shop regularly. I've always liked the pharmacists there, and also the clerks. I get vaccines there also.

There’s a CVS at the end of my street. It’s very convenient and the pharmacy went above and beyond when my husband was very ill. They took great care of him.

Walgreens at present for years, because they were open 24 hours. I could pick up before 7:00am on my way to work or very late/,over night. Different Walgreens now, still driveup, easy for someone to pickup on way to me or free ship 5-10 days. All RXs due at same time. Rx for sickness again easy for someone to pickup.

My health insurance to supplement Medicare is with Kaiser. I had been signed up with Kaiser through my job when I changed companies in the 90s and was very happy with them. I liked having all services in the same building or at least very close by. It reminded me of the way the Mayo Clinic was run during my son’s cancer treatment. I like that I can email my doctor with questions and have my prescriptions mailed to me. I even get a text reminder when a medication is able to be refilled. In California, there were certain strong pain meds that they could not mail and I had to get those in person and show my ID. But here in Oregon, I was very surprised that they will mail out all my meds, even the powerful pain meds. I do appreciate not having to go pick them up every 28 days but I admit to being a little scared that they might get stolen. If they do, it won’t be from my porch because my dog lets me know when anyone steps foot on the property. He is a very diligent little watch dog and I know something has been delivered, whether mail service or Amazon, so I retrieve it immediately.

For anything nonprescription, I typically order through Costco and get delivered with my grocery order via Instacart. If I am not due for a grocery order, I order from Amazon. I did use the local Walgreens that is very close to the house a few times but my preference is Costco for the bigger bottles of nonprescription drugs.

 Every few years they change things and we can go to Costco again, but I hate CVS and only go because we get forced to based on insurance.

My favorite experience was when DH had 3 prescriptions to fill before cataract surgery. One drop he had to put in his eyes prior to surgery. They notified us they were ready, yes all 3, and when I went to get them the one that he needed that night wasn't available. I asked them to give me all three prescriptions back so I could get them filled together. The clerk wandered around, fiddled through some things and found the missing item. I'm 99% sure she took it from another customer's completed order.  

They are always telling me and the kids that we aren't covered dependents whenever we get a new prescription. 

I go to Target and/or Costco for other drug store items.

Local independent pharmacy for prescriptions (the pharmacist is just amazing - I will never leave him); and then whoever for various non-prescription pharmacy needs.

We prefer to use an independent local pharmacy, and do use them most of the time.

However, if someone is sick, and we need something filled right then, and it's a time when the local pharmacy is closed as well as any pharmacy that might be present at the medical facility, then we go with CVS, because the closest city to us has a 24 hour CVS.

We have three chain pharmacies here: CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid. They are all equally horrible. Terrible customer service, very long wait times, and extremely high prices. I only have one rx medication and I get that through the mail, anything I need OTC I get at Walmart, Sams or Costco.

I get my skin care prescriptions from a local pharmacy. They have amazing communication. A person answers the phone. A guy delivers it directly to my house.

If I need an antibiotic or something short term I get it from my grocery store. It goes towards my rewards card. They text when they receive it and when it’s ready.

RX from a local independent, but I have used my grocery pharmacy and mail order. Over the counter items I get from Target or maybe Amazon.

I get mine through Kaiser. I just placed an order yesterday and received an email this morning that they are on their way. I haven't had to pick up at the Kaiser facility for the past few years.