Why do pharmacies hate GoodRx?
Asked by: Myron Gleason | Last update: January 3, 2026Score: 4.7/5 (15 votes)
Do pharmacists actually accept GoodRx?
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 are pharmacies dropping GoodRx?
Three independent pharmacies have filed separate lawsuits accusing GoodRx, which markets a prescription drug discount card, of conspiring with several pharmacy benefit managers to fix reimbursement fees, the latest skirmish over the opaque pharmaceutical supply chain in the U.S.
What pharmacies do not accept GoodRx?
GoodRx Gold is accepted at thousands of pharmacies across the country, including CVS, Rite Aid, Costco, VONS, Publix, and Albertsons. See the full list here. GoodRx Gold is currently not accepted at Rite-Aid, Sam's Club, Walgreens, or Walmart.
Why should I not use 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.
Why Pharmacists Hate GoodRx
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 ...
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.
Did CVS stop taking GoodRx?
GoodRx is accepted at more than 70,000 pharmacies nationwide — including major chains like CVS, Rite Aid, Costco, VONS, and Albertsons!
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.
Why did Kroger stop accepting GoodRx?
It had just been slammed by Cincinnati-based grocery chain giant Kroger Co.'s decision to stop accepting GoodRx prescription discounts for several months as part of a dispute between the two parties. This move prompted GoodRx to lower revenue guidance by tens of millions of dollars for all of 2022.
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 ...
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 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.
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.
Can Walgreens deny GoodRx?
Walgreens stopped accepting GoodRx coupons in early 2023 due to disputes over reimbursement rates with pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). GoodRx partners with PBMs to negotiate discounts on medications, and Walgreens reportedly decided to end these agreements because the terms were no longer favorable for them.
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.
Can I use GoodRx if I'm in the donut hole?
Key takeaways:
You may want to consider using GoodRx instead of Medicare when Medicare doesn't cover your medication, when you won't reach your annual deductible, or when you're in the coverage gap phase (“donut hole”) of your Medicare plan.
Why do pharmacies have to honor GoodRx?
Pharmacies listed on our website belong to the PBM networks that we partner with and are contractually obligated to accept GoodRx. Are pharmacies required to accept GoodRx coupons? Yes, patients can save more if they use GoodRx instead of their insurance for certain medications.
How many times can I use GoodRx for the same prescription?
GoodRx coupons themselves do not expire; you are able to re-use the coupons as many times as you would like.
Why is GoodRx charging me $9.99 a month?
Unless you have a discounted Membership Fee, you will be charged $9.99 for the Individual Membership or $19.99 for the Family Membership for each monthly Membership Cycle, or $89 for the Individual Membership and $179 for the Family Membership for each annual Membership Cycle prior to or at the beginning of each ...
Why is CVS closing pharmacies?
Within the last year, the company has also cut about 5,000 jobs, per The Wall Street Journal. The newspaper reported that when it spoke to a CVS spokesperson, they said the effort to pare down has been made “based on [the company's] evaluation of changes in population, consumer buying patterns and future health needs."
What is the best prescription discount program?
SingleCare is our top pick for prescription discount cards thanks to their simple price-comparison tool and discounts on telemedicine and other health-care services.
Who stopped accepting GoodRx?
According to Wall Street analysts, the grocery chain that no longer accepts the GoodRx discount card for some or all prescriptions is Kroger. Multiple consumer posts on Twitter have confirmed this awkward reality.
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 is GoodRx cheaper than my insurance?
By using GoodRx in place of your insurance, you're paying for the cash price of a medication, rather than the insurance price. While a medication may be cheaper this way, the fact of the matter is you're still not using your insurance—which you already pay for.