If you’re like me you’ve walked past the Costco pharmacy for years but never used it to fill a prescription. Maybe you’re unsure of how the pharmacy works or if it’ll actually save you any money on your medicine. This article will hopefully answer all of your questions so you can make an informed decision on whether the pharmacy at Costco is right for you.

Do I Have to Be a Costco Member to Use the Pharmacy?

NO, anybody can walk into Costco and use their pharmacy.

Some Costco warehouses even have a separate entrance for their pharmacy.

Just tell the card-checker at the door that you’re there to use the pharmacy and they’ll direct you where to go.

See Also: 8 Cool Things You Can Do at Costco Without a Membership

Are Costco Pharmacy Prices Competitive?

The prices at the Costco pharmacy are quite competitive and is the main reason I wanted to write this article.

Consumer Reports recently put together an excellent study where they used secret shoppers to call over 150 drugstores in the United States.

They asked about the pricing on 5 of the most popular prescription drugs in the country and the results BLEW me away.

In short, Costco dominated.

Here are Consumer Reports official findings.

The only pharmacy to beat Costco on price was HealthWarehouse.com which is an online-only pharmacy and thus not a good option for those who need their prescriptions filled right away.

Does Costco Have a Discounted Drug Program?

YES, and it’s only available to Costco members.

It’s officially called the Costco Member Prescription Program Discount Card or CMPPDC for short.

Depending on the drug, the discount card will save you anywhere from 2% to 40%.

Just show the Costco pharmacist your membership card and they’ll get you signed up for the discount card for FREE.

To give you an idea, here are some examples of the potential prescription savings.

– Dilantin 100mg Cap Qty 90 – $69.97

– Eliquis 5mg Tab Qty 60 – $471.79

– Gabapentin 100mg Cap Qty 60 – $5.99

– Levoxyl 88mcg Tab Qty 90 – $69.00

– Novolog FlexPen 100unit/ml, Qty 5 Pens – $460.02

– ProAir HFA Qty 1 Inhaler – $73.79

– Rosuvastatin 20mg Tab Qty 90 – $40.99

– Sildenafil 20mg Tab Qty 30 – $28.79

– Synthroid 100mcg Tab Qty 90 – $125.99

– Viagra 100mg Tab Qty 10 – $153.04

See Also: Considering the Amazon Pharmacy? 15 Things You Gotta Know

Does Costco Offer Immunizations Too?

YES.

Here is a list of the immunizations that Costco currently offers along with pricing.

Hepatitis A (Havrix) – $69.38

Hepatitis B (Engerix-B) – $55.29

Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B (Twinrix) – $94.60

Human Papilloma Virus (Gardasil 9) – $235.42

Meningitis (Menactra) – $126.99

Pneumovax® 23 – $108.18

Prevnar 13® – $198.81

Seasonal 4-Strain Flu Shot (No Cost on Most Insurance) – $19.99

Shingles (Shingrix) – $154.20

Tetanus, Diphtheria, Whooping Cough (Tdap) (Boostrix) – $41.65

No appointment is necessary to get any of these shots.

But it is highly recommend that you fill out this Immunization Consent Form at home to save time once you arrive.

Also, be sure to bring your insurance card and wear loose clothing and a short sleeved t-shirt so they can stick ya easily.

Besides getting immunizations, you can also consult with a Travel Medicine Specialist at Costco who will walk you through your future travel plans and what shots you’ll need before you board the airplane.

Is Their a Drug Auto-Refill Program?

YES.

As a matter of fact, once you check the “Auto Refill” circle on the Costco website you’ll never need to request a refill again.

On the Costco website, you’ll find this option on the Refill Prescription page or the Prescription Status page.

It should be noted that a valid credit card will need to be on file in order to use this service.

Also, you CANNOT get auto-refills on controlled substance medicines or prescriptions that are considered “non-maintenance”.

See Also: Walmart Pharmacy: Your 7 Burning Questions Finally Answered

Does the Costco Pharmacy Offer Home Delivery?

YES, you can either have your meds shipped to your home or you can pick them up in the actual Costco warehouse.

The Costco website has a handy section dedicated to managing your home delivery prescriptions.

You can either fill new prescriptions, refill prescriptions, or have them transferred directly from a warehouse.

Can I Get Pet Medications at Costco Too?

YES, and the potential savings on your pet’s prescription is significant especially when compared to the price your veterinarian charges.

You must be a Costco member and also be enrolled in Costco Member Prescription Program Discount Card (CMPPCD) to qualify.

For existing prescriptions, simply bring in the bottle on your next visit to Costco and the pharmacist will be able to tell you about availability and potential costs.

For new prescriptions, just tell your vet you’re a Costco member and they’ll call or fax your prescription order for you.

It’s also worth noting that you must pickup your pet’s drugs at Costco and you can’t have them mailed to your home.

Any Downsides to Using the Costco Pharmacy?

Let’s face it, the Costco Pharmacy probably isn’t for everyone.

Here are a few potential problems with it.

1. Location – A Costco location may not be near for some. Also, if your Costco is like mine, the parking lot SUCKS big time and is often a nightmare to get in and out of.

This is typically not an issue at most neighborhood drugstores.

2. New Prescriptions Can Be Delayed – I’ve been told that some new prescriptions won’t be available until the following day. If you need the medicine today this won’t work for many.

3. Wait Time is Often Long – Some pharmacy users complain about longer wait times at Costco compared to neighborhood pharmacies.

This is when it’s smart to get your prescription sent-in by your doctor or do it online so you’ll know your meds will be ready for you when you arrive.

Ask the Reader: Are you a Costco pharmacy user? Did I miss any important points? Let me know in the comments, thanks.

By Kyle James