Where is the best place to fill a prescription?

Asked by: Mr. Darrick Larson  |  Last update: December 28, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (23 votes)

Once you get a prescription from your provider, you may buy the medicine in different ways. The most common place for filling a prescription is at a local pharmacy. Some pharmacies are located inside of a grocery or large "chain" store. It is best to fill all prescriptions with the same pharmacy.

What is the best pharmacy to use for prescriptions?

Following Good Neighbor Pharmacy, which ranked highest among brick-and-mortar chain drug store pharmacies for a seventh consecutive year, with a score of 793, is Health Mart (770), which ranks second, and Rite Aid Pharmacy, which ranks third (680).

Is CVS or Walgreens better for prescriptions?

Plus, with CVS you have access to their in-store clinics and better prices on OTC medications and prescriptions. So, if convenience and quick service are your priorities, Walgreens might be the better choice.

Which pharmacy has the lowest drug prices?

In the Consumer Reports survey, Costco had the best prices for a brick-and-mortar store, while the online mail-order pharmacy Healthwarehouse.com had the lowest overall pricing. The report found the two highest-priced national retailers were CVS Health and K-Mart for the common medications they checked.

Which pharmacy fills the most prescriptions?

U.S. pharmacies ranked by prescription drugs market share 2023. The top U.S. pharmacy in 2023 by market share based on prescription drug revenue was CVS Health Corporation, followed by Walgreens Boots Alliance.

Best places to get prescriptions filled

38 related questions found

What is the best drugstore chain?

Good Neighbor Pharmacy ranks highest among brick-and-mortar chain drug store pharmacies for an eighth consecutive year, with a score of 775. Good Neighbor received top scores in all study dimensions, including "level of trust with pharmacy." Health Mart (729) ranks second and Rite Aid Pharmacy ranks third (650).

Does it matter what pharmacy you go to?

Some health plans also have preferred in-network pharmacies which the health insurance company usually has agreements with to provide medication at an even more discounted price. Make sure you are getting your prescriptions filled at an in-network or preferred in-network pharmacy to keep your costs lower.

Is Walmart or CVS pharmacy cheaper?

We consistently find that drugs – particularly generic drugs – are far more expensive at CVS and Walgreens than at other pharmacies. The costs at Walmart, Costco, Winn-Dixie and Publix are consistently far lower, as are the costs of most independent pharmacies.

Why is my prescription cheaper at another pharmacy?

Because prices are negotiated, some pharmacies pay different prices for the same drug. This is part of why medications may cost different between Walmart, Walgreens, and CVS, for example.

Who is cheaper than GoodRx?

Bottom Line. SingleCare and GoodRx make prescription drug prices more affordable for consumers. Both companies have identical aims, but SingleCare generally offers lower pricing and free delivery.

Why does Walgreens charge so much for prescriptions?

Brick-and-mortar pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS need to pay additional charges to insurers and middlemen, which can hike the overall prescription price.

Are grocery store pharmacies better?

First, supermarkets offer the best pharmacy service, according to J.D. Power's latest Customer Satisfaction survey, which found that 6 of the top 10 rated pharmacy retailers are supermarket chains (see chart below).

Is Rite Aid owned by Walgreens?

Further negotiations led to a fourth revised deal, in which Walgreens would purchase 1,932 Rite Aid locations for $4.38 billion, which was approved by the FTC on September 19. The revised sale was completed on March 27, 2018, leaving Rite Aid with roughly 2,600 remaining stores.

Can a doctor tell you which pharmacy to use?

A doctor typically cannot force you to use a specific pharmacy, but they may recommend one based on convenience, insurance networks, or personal preferences. Doctors might suggest a particular pharmacy if they know it's reliable, nearby, or likely to carry a specific medication.

How do I get the best price at a pharmacy?

6 Ways to Reduce Prescription Drug Costs
  1. Use Generic Instead of Brand Name Medications. ...
  2. Ask About Medication Options. ...
  3. Compare Different Pharmacies. ...
  4. Take Advantage of Coupon Savings. ...
  5. Learn About Patient Assistance Programs. ...
  6. Don't Skip Important Medications.

Which pharmacy brand is best?

Top Pharma Companies in India:
  • Pfizer.
  • Sun Pharmaceutical.
  • Cipla.
  • Divi's Lab.
  • Dr. Reddy's Laboratories.
  • Zydus Lifesciences.
  • Mankind Pharma.
  • Ajanta Pharma.

When should I switch pharmacies?

There are a lot of reasons that you may need to switch to a new pharmacy, like a move, convenience or a change to your health insurance. Take some time to search your health plan's network of pharmacies and shop around to find the lowest price for your prescriptions at a pharmacy near you.

How can one reduce prescription costs?

Save money with a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC) If you know you'll have to pay for a lot of NHS prescriptions, it may be cheaper to buy a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC). A PPC covers all your NHS prescriptions, including NHS dental prescriptions, no matter how many items you need.

Do all pharmacies charge the same for prescriptions?

Yes, I live in California and prices vary from pharmacy to pharmacy, even in the same city. The best thing to do is to shop around. Fortunately, with a computer, this is easy to do. There is one website that even has coupons for medicine, if you can believe that.

Where is the cheapest place to get prescriptions filled?

Tips on How to Get Cheaper Prescriptions
  • Online Pharmacies. ...
  • Bulk Buying. ...
  • Prescription Savings Clubs. ...
  • Health Insurance. ...
  • Health Savings Account. ...
  • Benefit Programs. ...
  • Government Programs. ...
  • Nonprofit Organizations. Many nonprofit organizations help people with serious or chronic conditions afford their prescriptions.

Is Walgreens or CVS doing better?

CVS is at least still profitable, and with a more diversified business, it also has more options to consider when looking at the long term. It faces a lot of uncertainty, but it looks like a far better buy at this point than Walgreens.

How to choose the best pharmacy?

Overall, when choosing a pharmacy to fill your prescriptions, it is important to consider factors such as location, customer service, cost, and the expertise of the pharmacist.

Should I use a local pharmacy?

Many of the benefits of using a local pharmacy reflect the disadvantages found in an online pharmacy. Some of these include being sure a person is watching for any negative drug interactions, access to someone if you have questions about a medication, and the ability to get medications the same day they are prescribed.

How do I know which pharmacy takes my insurance?

Call your insurance company or visit their website to find out whether your regular pharmacy is in-network under your new plan and, if not, what pharmacies in your area are in-network.