How to Compare Online Pharmacy Prices

You can buy medicine and other products from online pharmacies and have your purchases delivered to you. However, the cost for purchasing the same products may differ on different online pharmacy websites. You can compare online pharmacy prices to make sure you are getting the best value for the lowest cost by following a standard process.

Things You'll Need

• Computer with internet access
• Pen or pencil and paper

Instructions

1. Choose a set of online pharmacies. Limit your comparison to online pharmacies that are recommended by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP). The NABP website provides a list of recommended online pharmacies.

2. Locate the product whose price you want to compare. Open a web browser and navigate to one of the online pharmacies you have selected. Search for the product by typing the product name into the website's search tool and clicking the search button.

3. Write down product-cost information. Note the basic purchase price of the product. Check to see if you can lower the basic price with your insurance or prescription- drug program; online pharmacies list the insurance and programs they accept. If you are buying a prescription medicine and your doctor has authorized use of a generic alternative, check to see if the pharmacy offers a generic version of your medicine. If so, note the price with and without insurance, if applicable.

4. Write down delivery-cost information. Note the cost for standard delivery of your product and what the pharmacy's timeline is for standard delivery. Note the price and timeline for expedited delivery if it is available; delivery charges will be listed on the website.

5. Write down tax-cost information. You may be required to pay sales tax for your online purchase, depending on your delivery address and the online pharmacy you choose. If you provide a delivery address, the pharmacy website will list the amount of sales tax, if any, that you will be required to pay for purchases made through the website.

6. Navigate in your web browser to another of the recommended pharmacies you have chosen and repeat the process. When you have a complete set of cost information for three or more online pharmacies you will be able to determine which offers the best price for your particular purchase and needs.

References

• US Food and Drug Administration guidance on buying medicines online

Resources

• National Association of Boards of Pharmacy website
• Walgreens statement on taxes for online purchases