During the COVID-19 outbreak, nearly everything moved into contactless, digital spaces — health care included. From telemedicine visits to e-pharmacies, getting medical guidance and prescriptions from the safety of home became more accessible than ever.
While internet pharmacies have been around since the early 2000s, their popularity surged not only because of the pandemic but also due to the convenience they offer and often lower costs compared with traditional brick-and-mortar pharmacies.
Advantages and Drawbacks of Online Pharmacies
They’re undeniably convenient, but are online pharmacies a fit for your routine? We examine the main pros and cons so you can decide whether switching to an online pharmacy makes sense.
Benefits of Online Pharmacies
Thinking about moving your prescriptions online? Cost savings and doorstep delivery are among the top perks. Here’s a closer look.
It’s Simple to Shop Around
A major advantage of online pharmacies is the ease of price comparison. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), there are roughly 35,000 active online pharmacies.
With choices from retailers like Walgreens, Amazon, and Express Scripts, you can quickly compare prices and stock for your prescribed medications in just a few clicks. No more driving between stores to ask about costs or insurance coverage.
Medications May Cost Less
Internet pharmacies can sometimes offer lower prices than in-person stores. Reasons include cutting out middleman shipping fees, negotiating partnerships with manufacturers, and sourcing a wider selection of generics from across the country.
For instance, Cost Plus Drugs removes intermediaries and often lists commonly used prescriptions for far less than many brick-and-mortar pharmacies; Prozac, which typically costs around $22 for a 30-day supply, is about $4.20 through Cost Plus Drugs.
Your Prescriptions Arrive at Your Door
Online pharmacies deliver medication straight to your home (or another preferred location). If you’re juggling work, family, or dislike running errands, online pharmacies can save you many trips to the pharmacy each year. Several services include free shipping and automatic refills when your doctor sends a script.
Downsides of Online Pharmacies
Despite their advantages, fully relying on online pharmacies has some disadvantages. Below are a few to consider.
Real-Time Pharmacist Consultation May Be Limited
One drawback of online pharmacies is the potential lack of immediate, in-person consultation about your medication. Some platforms provide live chat or phone access to trained pharmacy staff, but others do not. That can mean longer waits for answers compared with discussing concerns at a physical pharmacy counter.
Brand-Name vs. Generic Substitutions Can Be Harder to Address
Another concern is online pharmacies swapping a brand-name drug for a generic without your knowledge. Although in-store pharmacies do this too, it’s often easier to spot and correct in person. Finding out after delivery that you received a generic you don’t want — then waiting for the online pharmacy to fix it — can be frustrating and could disrupt your medication schedule.
Some Require Specific Insurance
Certain online pharmacies, such as Express Scripts, mandate that you have insurance that partners with them to use their service. Many reputable online pharmacies don’t impose this requirement, but it can be disappointing to find an affordable price online only to learn you need a particular insurance plan to place the order.
Not All Online Pharmacies Are Equally Trustworthy
Although the FDA cites around 35,000 online pharmacies, it also notes that only about 5% of those have completed the necessary paperwork to establish their legitimacy and lawful standing. That doesn’t imply the remainder are necessarily fraudulent, but it does mean sticking to well-known services is safest rather than exploring obscure corners of the internet for prescriptions.
Comparing Popular Online Pharmacies
Which platforms accept insurance? Who offers free shipping? Can you consult experts about your meds?
Below is a rundown of six well-known online pharmacies and what they offer.
Amazon Pharmacy
About:Amazon Pharmacy is the pharmacy arm of Amazon. It simplifies the prescription process by handling transfers from your current pharmacy and sending reminders about refills and renewals.
Membership fee: No membership fee. Amazon Prime members do get extras, like eligibility for the Amazon Rx Pass, which provides access to some common generic drugs for a flat $5 monthly fee. Availability depends on state, insurance, and medication, so check the FAQ.
Insurance: Accepts most insurance and also offers Amazon Pharmacy coupons.
Shipping: Free delivery and free two-day shipping for Prime members.
Experts Available: Amazon Pharmacy provides access to care through the Amazon Clinic, though that is a separate, paid service.
Cost Plus Drugs
About: Entrepreneur Mark Cuban launched Cost Plus Drugs in 2022 to combat high markups on frequently prescribed medications. The pricing model is transparent: wholesale price + 15% markup + $3 pharmacy fee + $5 shipping. Cost Plus Drugs partners with TruePill for fulfillment.
Membership fee: None.
Insurance: Does not accept insurance.
Shipping: Standard U.S. shipping is about $5; expedited fees vary and can be substantially higher. If you have insurance, you might be able to submit costs for reimbursement.
Experts Available: Cost Plus Drugs does not provide medical experts for consultations.
SelectRx
About:SelectRx helps individuals who take multiple medications by consolidating and coordinating refills. They can synchronize multiple prescriptions into a single, personalized “medication packet” delivered together.
Membership fee: None.
Insurance: Yes — SelectRx accepts insurance and will coordinate refills with your provider and insurer.
Shipping: Free shipping.
Experts Available: While not offering medical experts, SelectRx provides consultants who liaise with your doctors and insurance company so you don’t have to manage multiple calls.
HelloWisp
About:HelloWisp specializes in reproductive health for all genders, combining symptom assessment, prescription services, and discrete shipping.
Membership fee: No membership fee, though there are paid care options. A one-time consultation via “Wispcare” costs $39, and unlimited monthly consults run $10 per month.
Insurance: Insurance isn’t required, but if you want to use it you must pick up the prescription at a physical pharmacy. HelloWisp doesn’t accept insurance for online clinical visits.
Shipping: Free shipping to all 50 U.S. states.
Experts Available: Yes — users complete a private health questionnaire reviewed by HelloWisp clinicians, who may follow up or furnish a prescription.
Express Scripts
Description:Express Scripts is among the largest online pharmacy networks, collaborating with more than 70,000 pharmacy partners to find low-cost medications.
Membership fee: No membership fee, but access requires that Express Scripts be part of your insurance benefits. Check whether your benefits include Express Scripts’ online pharmacy here.
Insurance: Express Scripts requires compatible insurance coverage to use its online pharmacy.
Shipping: Standard shipping is free; expedited shipping incurs extra charges.
Experts Available: The Express Scripts platform has over 1,000 pharmacists available around the clock to discuss medications and benefits online.
Honeybee Health
Description:Honeybee Health was founded by two licensed pharmacists who wanted to help customers who couldn’t afford their prescriptions. Honeybee Health lets users compare prices from multiple manufacturers without insurance-driven markups to find affordable options.
Membership fee: None.
Insurance: Does not accept insurance.
Shipping: Free shipping on U.S. orders over $40 via USPS; $5 shipping for orders under $40. They ship OTC items to all 50 states and prescription meds to most states and territories, with exceptions including Alabama, Indiana, Louisiana, and Montana.
Experts Available: No doctors or pharmacists are available for direct consultation through Honeybee Health.
Colorado-based writer Nora Ellis covers lifestyle and wellness. She contributes regularly to Savinly.
