When you want to save money on prescriptions, Costco Pharmacy could be the solution.
The pharmacy department at the warehouse club chain offers a full range of prescription medications, along with trusted over-the-counter medications, wellness remedies, durable medical equipment and more.
In this article, we’ll take a look at Costco Pharmacy prices, auto-refill, pet medications and more.
Costco Pharmacy: Prices, Prescriptions, Auto-Refill and More You Need to Know
There’s no shortage of places you could go when you need to fill a prescription.
But there are a few compelling reasons why you may want to make Costco Pharmacy the pharmacy of choice for yourself and your family.
1. You Don’t Have to Be a Member To Fill a Prescription
First and foremost, Costco Pharmacy is open to anybody where required by law. In practice, that means in most states. So you don’t usually have to be a member to use the Costco pharmacy.
In an era of skyrocketing prescription costs, Costco routinely has low prices on medications. If you’re looking to cut the cost of your prescriptions, the warehouse club can be a great place to start, and you don’t necessarily have to pay an annual membership fee to save.
Some locations even have a separate entrance for non-members that leads directly into the pharmacy. Call your local store to check before heading out.
2. Costco Pharmacy Prices Are Very Competitive
In 2018 Consumer Reports had secret shoppers call more than 150 drugstores around the country to get quotes for a one-month supply of five commonly prescribed generic drugs:
- Diabetes drug pioglitazone (generic Actos, 30 mg)
- Painkiller celecoxib (generic Celebrex, 200 mg)
- Antidepressant duloxetine (generic Cymbalta, 20 mg)
- Cholesterol medication atorvastatin (generic Lipitor, 20 mg)
- Blood thinner Clopidogrel (generic Plavix, 75 mg)
Here’s how the prices stacked up:
As you can see, Costco was the second cheapest option out of a variety of big-name pharmacies and independent players.
While HealthWarehouse.com was cheaper, not everyone wants to or has the luxury of waiting for a prescription to arrive by mail from an online pharmacy.
As a walk-in pharmacy, Costco remains a viable and cost-competitive option. That’s particularly true if you’re a Costco member because you can save even more money if you take advantage of the benefits like buying eyeglasses from Costco Optical, buying tires from Costco Tire Center or filling up your tank at a Costco gas station.
3. Join the Costco Member Prescription Program (CMPP) for Additional Savings
The low Costco Pharmacy prices can get even lower through the Costco Member Prescription Program (CMPP).
The CMPP, which is free for Costco members to join, is not insurance. There’s no reimbursement when you make a prescription purchase. What you get instead is discounts on all prescription medications and some OTC meds.
But again, you must be a dues-paying member of Costco to join this program. (More on that in a moment.)
So, exactly how much will you save with the CMPP? Here are a few select discounts as noted on the Costco website in early 2019:
| Medication | Quantity | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Bayer Contour Next Strips | 100 | $45.07 |
| Bupropion XL 150mg Tab | 90 | $30.76 |
| Dilantin 100mg Cap | 90 | $66.04 |
| Humulin N U-100 | 1 | $154.99 |
| ProAir RespiClick | 1 | $37.38 |
| Rosuvastatin 20mg Tab | 90 | $40.99 |
| Viagra 100mg Tab | 10 | $151.53 |
| Victoza Pen 18mg/3ml | 2 | $624.36 |
You can see more potential savings here.
“The amount of any price reduction is determined at the time of purchase,” Costco notes on its website. “Savings range from 2% to 40% or more depending on the drug.”
Joining is easy; just complete the simple enrollment form available at any Costco Pharmacy.
Have additional questions? Read the FAQs about the Costco Member Prescription Program here.
4. Costco Pharmacy’s Auto-Refill Program Is Convenient
Costco offers an auto-refill program so you’ll never have to request a refill again.
Simply go to Costco’s Refill Prescription page or Prescription Status page. That’s where you’ll be able to put a credit card on file for future billing.
From there, you can set up individual prescriptions for Auto Refill by clicking the “on” (or “off”) button in the Auto Refill column.
Once you’re signed up, you’ll get an email 72 hours before any one of your prescriptions is due to be sent out to you. You then have to confirm by email or phone in order for your medication(s) to be shipped.
5. Costco Pharmacy’s Prices on Pet Medications Are Worth a Look
In addition to medication for humans, Costco has great prices on pet medications. There are two ways you can move a pet’s prescription to Costco Pharmacy.
If your animal is already on the medication, just bring the bottle or tube to the pharmacy during your next visit. A pharmacist will discuss price and availability with you and help arrange with your veterinarian to transfer the prescription.
If your pet is starting a new medication, have your vet’s office send the prescription directly to the Costco pharmacy.
6. Costco Offers a Full-Service Travel Immunization Program in Select Areas
For $39.99, Costco will get you ready to travel to exotic destinations around the world.
Costco Pharmacy provides a full-service travel consultation program that includes a thorough evaluation by a qualified travel medicine physician.
This program is currently available in select locations in Arizona, California, Florida, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Maryland, Oregon, Texas, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin. Full details are available here.
7. Costco Pharmacy Is VIPPS-Accredited
VIPPS (Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites) certification is the hallmark of any good pharmacy — and Costco’s got it.
This accreditation mark tells you that the pharmacy in question has passed rigorous vetting by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy.
If you’re ever comparing online prescription prices, be sure any pharmacy you choose to do business with is VIPPS-accredited. That’s a sure way to distinguish a legitimate online pharmacy from a shady one.
Final Thought
If you’re looking to save money on your prescription costs, Costco Pharmacy is a great place to shop. Best of all, you don’t even have to be a member to take advantage of the savings!
