Can a pharmacy refuse to honor GoodRx?

Asked by: Reta Green  |  Last update: October 17, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (31 votes)

Are pharmacies required to accept GoodRx coupons? Participating pharmacies are required to accept GoodRx through contracts with their pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). An exception is for controlled medications. Accepting a GoodRx coupon for a controlled medication is always at the discretion of the pharmacist.

Why don't pharmacies like GoodRx?

Because this is known scam for drug abusers to get controlled substances at a lower price and sell them later on. More importantly goodrx in general is a scam. They take an estimated cost and simply mark it down. They pocket a part of switch fees that pharmacy pays. So overall on many drugs the pharmacy takes a hit.

Do all pharmacies honor GoodRx?

GoodRx is accepted at virtually every one of the 70,000+ retail pharmacies in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands — including major chains like CVS, Walgreens, Kroger, Rite Aid, Costco, Walmart and many more! Click here for more information. Who can use GoodRx?

Does CVS no longer accept GoodRx?

GoodRx is accepted at more than 70,000 pharmacies nationwide — including major chains like CVS, Rite Aid, Costco, VONS, and Albertsons!

Why don't Kinney drugs accept GoodRx?

We wouldn't still be in business if we had not. The GoodRx cash discount program is no longer fair, nor equitable. Therefore, effective December 1, 2023, Kinney Drugs will no longer accept GoodRx,” said John Marraffa, president.

Why Pharmacists Hate GoodRx

24 related questions found

Can a pharmacist refuse GoodRx?

Are pharmacies required to accept GoodRx coupons? Participating pharmacies are required to accept GoodRx through contracts with their pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). An exception is for controlled medications. Accepting a GoodRx coupon for a controlled medication is always at the discretion of the pharmacist.

What is the GoodRx controversy?

The telehealth and prescription drug discount provider, GoodRx, recently agreed to pay $25 million to settle class action claims originating from the company's unauthorized disclosure of consumers' personal health information, according to recent filings with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of ...

Who stopped accepting GoodRx?

But throughout much of 2022, GoodRx was embroiled in a dispute with Kroger. The dispute became public in the spring of that year when Kroger suddenly stopped accepting GoodRx discounts.

Do private pharmacies accept GoodRx?

Keep in mind that GoodRx discounts will work at virtually every pharmacy in the US. If your pharmacy is a local independent or small chain and you can't find it in our list for your area, you can always use the coupon at the bottom of the page.

Does Walmart not take GoodRx?

GoodRx discounts are still accepted at Walmart and Sam's Club. If you have issues using a GoodRx discount at a Walmart or Sam's Club, please have the pharmacist call 1-866-921-7286.

What's the catch in using GoodRx?

Keep in mind that you cannot use GoodRx and insurance at the same time. However, you can use GoodRx instead of insurance or government-funded programs, such as Medicare or Medicaid, to pay for your prescription medications. GoodRx is not insurance.

How do pharmacies make money with GoodRx?

When a patient redeems a GoodRx discount coupon, the pharmacy pays a fee to the PBM, who splits the fee with GoodRx. GoodRx also takes in membership fees from consumers and marketing revenue from pharmaceutical companies that use its platform.

How many times can you use GoodRx for a prescription?

Do they expire? GoodRx coupons themselves do not expire; you are able to re-use the coupons as many times as you would like. However, we recommend you always obtain a new coupon from the website before refilling so you are receiving the most up to date price when you pick up your prescription.

Is Walgreens not accepting GoodRx?

It ended on August 31, 2024, but Walgreens continues to accept many other prescription discount cards including SingleCare, GoodRx and more. In addition, Walgreens Rx Savings Finder can help you find lower Rx prices at Walgreens.

Why is GoodRx tanking?

GoodRx, a pharmacy discount app, is facing numerous challenges including shrinking business, trouble with customers and the FTC, and the departure of its founders. The company's pivot to direct relationships with retail pharmacies may not be successful, and its subscription plan is shrinking.

Who is GoodRx's biggest competitor?

  • The top GoodRx competitors are.
  • Blink Health.
  • SingleCare.
  • RxSaver.
  • WellRx.
  • Optum Perks.
  • Express Scripts.
  • MedImpact.

Can a pharmacy reject GoodRx?

In rare occurrences, a pharmacist may not be aware of the agreement they have to honor GoodRx coupons, although they are contractually obligated to accept them.

Who pays when you use GoodRx?

When you use GoodRx to pay for a prescription, you are choosing to pay without insurance. But you can ask your insurer to reimburse you or to apply your purchase against your deductible. Here's how to apply a payment made with a GoodRx coupon to your insurance deductible.

Who is GoodRx owned by?

Hirsch co-founded Santa Monica, California-based GoodRx to help provide Americans with affordable access to prescription medications. Private equity firms Francisco Partners and Spectrum Equity acquired a majority stake in GoodRx in 2015 before a third PE firm, Silver Lake, made a minority investment in 2018.

Why should I not use GoodRx?

GoodRx's “not-so-good privacy practices” made it the first-ever company penalized for violating the FTC's Health Breach Notification Rule, according to a post by senior attorney Lesley Fair on the agency's business blog.

What is the lawsuit against GoodRx?

Shortly after the FTC settlement was announced, a class action lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court of the Northern District of California against GoodRx that made similar allegations to the FTC – that personal information was disclosed to third parties without users' knowledge or consent, when they had been ...

Why is GoodRx being investigated?

The FTC's complaint details GoodRx's pervasive sharing of user data with third parties, including vendors and social media companies. We learn in the complaint that GoodRx, like many healthcare organizations, used Meta's Pixel software to track its users.

What is the class action lawsuit against PBMs?

The NCPA accused the PBMs of utilizing GoodRx and its Integrated Savings Program as a channel to exchange proprietary pricing data with one another, which ensures they would never pay more than the cheapest rate negotiated by any PBM for generic drugs, which stifles reimbursement rates and throttles competition.

Why do pharmacies accept GoodRx?

Pharmacies or pharmacy purchasing groups work with PBMs to negotiate reimbursement rates. GoodRx partners with these PBMs to display the contracted prices to help patients and healthcare providers make informed decisions about the cost of their care. In some instances, GoodRx also works with pharmacies directly.

Why is GoodRx dropping?

Summary. Downgrading GoodRx to a sell rating on recent decline fundamentals. GoodRx's revenue growth is decelerating, with significant reliance on retail partnerships and cyclical transactional revenue, making it a risky investment.