July 18, 2023
By Emma Hynek
If you turn on the television, chances are you’ll be hit with an influx of advertisements for pharmacies, prescription services and medicines. With so many options, how do you know what to choose? How do you know what’s best for you or a family member? Which option is trustworthy, and which are simply money-making ploys?
When it comes to services and products in today’s market, the desire for efficiency and convenience drive consumers’ decisions. Pharmacies are no exception. Handling prescriptions is typically considered a mundane errand, but many pharmacies have adapted their services to ensure consistent business and to keep up with competitors. A study by McKinsey & Company points to the fact that consumer preferences frequently change, meaning pharmacies have to keep up.
With a Walgreens on every corner, a variety of local pharmacies and an ever-increasing number of online options, dealing with prescriptions can go from mundane to overwhelming, particularly for caregivers.
Caregivers rely on pharmacies more than the average person. As a caregiver, you are responsible for your prescriptions, those of the person in your care and sometimes other members of your family. The best pharmacy choice is crucial to ensure you are utilizing the most cost-effective option, you have a pharmacist you can count on and the prescriptions you and your loved ones rely on to stay healthy are always available when needed.
So, what is the best choice?
Chain Pharmacies
Think Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid. According to communitypharmacy.com, chains account for about 40% of the prescription market. You likely can’t drive down the road without passing one, putting chain pharmacies at the top of the list in terms of convenience for many people. If convenience and proximity are your priorities, these pharmacies are a great option. Chain pharmacies also often have extended hours, which is a lifesaver when you inevitably find yourself with a last-minute prescription need. Some even mail recurring prescriptions for free.
The sheer number of these types of pharmacies can also come in handy when you’re traveling and need a prescription filled. Keep in mind, however, that with convenient locations and operating hours come the trade-offs of longer lines and a less personal experience with pharmacists.
Independent and Local Pharmacies
Your neighborhood pharmacy is a fantastic option if you’re looking for a consistent pharmacist who knows you and your needs. This can be particularly beneficial for caregivers who deal with multiple prescriptions or needs that constantly change. Personable service is perhaps the biggest advantage independent pharmacies have over their chain counterparts.
“[T]he size and scale of most independent pharmacies allow for close, candid interactions between pharmacists and patients, which are key to operating within a value-based care model,” explained Health Mart President Steve Courtman in a Pharmacy Times article.
In the same article, independent pharmacy owner Jason Kasiar of Illinois said personable service is what keeps independent pharmacies competitive.
“We make sure [customers] are compliant on their medications [and] we make sure that if they have problems, we’re there for them,” he explained. “I’ve driven to people’s houses to help them with their medications. I’ve opened up in the middle of the night to take care of them, and you’re not really going to get that service at a larger retail pharmacy.”
Additionally, you may be able to find lower prices at your local pharmacy. This will vary by location, but it is always worth checking out. The drawbacks to an independent pharmacy include its business hours (less convenient when you work an 8 to 5) and the often longer travel time to get to one. However, many offer free or low-cost prescription delivery service.
Supermarket and Grocery Pharmacies
This category falls somewhere in the middle of chain and local pharmacies. According to the McKinsey study, supermarket and grocery pharmacies make up about 30% of stores and 15% of prescription revenue. A 2010 Pharmacy Times article details the benefits of these kinds of pharmacies, which include the resources and bandwidth of a chain pharmacy plus the personable service of a local pharmacy.
Grocery chains are able to provide pharmacists with up-to-date technology that enables them to broaden the services offered. Furthermore, shoppers can fill their prescriptions where they buy their food and other everyday items — a much appreciated convenience. Finally, a supermarket pharmacist likely sees regular shoppers often, allowing them to get to know customers and their needs.
Online Pharmacies
There are a wide variety of online pharmacy options available, and the number continues to grow as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. While obtaining medicine online can seem a bit strange, it’s a great option for a lot of people. Because they erase the need to travel to get to a physical location, online pharmacies greatly expand the accessibility of modern medicine — including things other than prescriptions, like virtual appointments with a pharmacist. Another advantage is that with so many options available, you can find one that suits your budget and won’t break the bank.
According to a Global Survey Report by the International Pharmaceutical Federation, digital pharmacies benefit the pharmacist as well as the customer. With the entire prescription process being online — including digital health records and prescription monitoring — pharmacists are held to an increased level of accountability and can easily ensure quality, efficacy and the safe use of medications. When the process is made easier for the pharmacist, the customer benefits.
Of course, as with anything on the internet, fraud is a possibility. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration urges consumers to exercise caution when choosing and utilizing an online pharmacy. Their article “How to Buy Medicines Safely From an Online Pharmacy” provides resources that help consumers avoid falling victim to fraudulent sites selling unapproved, counterfeit and hazardous medications.
The bottom line is that no pharmacy — chain, independent, retail or online — will encompass all of the pros and none of the cons. What works best for you will depend on your individual situation. However, you can start by educating yourself on each option to help make an informed choice you feel confident in.
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