Rx FAQ: What’s the best pharmacy for me?

You may have a pharmacy you always use. It might be close to your home, where you get your groceries, or has a drive thru by your work. This pharmacy is probably what you automatically say when your prescriber asks where to send your prescriptions.

But is this the best pharmacy for you?

Your pharmacy needs may vary by type of medication

Different pharmacies may be a better fit depending on the type of medication you’re taking – and one pharmacy may not fully meet all your needs. Your default pharmacy is likely sufficient for short-term or acute medications that you use to treat one-time health conditions or illnesses.

But for long-term or maintenance medications that you take on an ongoing basis, it’s important you give your pharmacy choice more thought. Selecting the right pharmacy helps set you up for the best experience long-term.

Questions to consider as you choose a pharmacy

To evaluate if your pharmacy best meets your needs, it’s helpful to answer these simple questions:

1. Does the pharmacy offer the best pricing for my long-term medication?

   You may be surprised at the wide range of costs at different pharmacies for the same medications. If you don’t have insurance coverage, going to a site like GoodRx shows you pricing for medication at various pharmacies to help you find the lowest out of pocket cost. If you have insurance coverage, most insurance companies have medication pricing available on their member websites. This makes it easy to compare pharmacies specific to what your coverage offers.

   Outside of pricing, there’s other considerations to make sure you’re getting the most value. Your plan may provide better coverage at different types of pharmacies. For example, some plans offer a lower copay or higher days’ supply at a home delivery pharmacy. Pricing is typically better if you use a pharmacy designated as a preferred or an in-network pharmacy.

2. Does the pharmacy make it easy for me to manage my ongoing medication?

   With busy lives, managing a long-term prescription becomes another task to add to a lengthy list. Choosing a pharmacy where you can get 90 days supplies helps to eliminate the monthly chore in getting refills.

   If you take long-term medications, consider avoiding the trip to a pharmacy by choosing home delivery for your medications. All you have to do is bring your medication in with the rest of your mail.

   And to make the process even easier, find a pharmacy that offers automatic refills. With automatic refills your medication is ready when you need it. You usually don’t need to do anything but get your medications – either at the pharmacy or the mailbox – after the initial signup.

3. Is the pharmacy there when I need them?

   Building a relationship with a pharmacy or pharmacist is important, especially when you are on medication long-term. Pharmacists can help answer questions about drug interactions, including over-the-counter medications and supplements, managing side effects, and much more.

   Many medication concerns happen outside of business hours. Finding a pharmacy that has direct access to a pharmacist after hours to help can bring peace of mind.

Choosing the best pharmacy for your needs and transferring medications from one pharmacy to another may help you save money, save time, and ensure that you are getting the most from your pharmacy.

Express Scripts Pharmacy is here to make your pharmacy experience the best possible and is always available 24/7 for any questions you may have.