|
|
The options for pharmacies explained.
Pharmacies have Changed through the Years
It used to be when a person got sick, the only two choices they had to get prescriptions filled was either at the doctor's office itself or through a local pharmacy. Often located "just around the corner," these pharmacies sometimes became center points in town life. While the days of the corner pharmacy are far from over, there are other options out there for people to choose from.
The major choices on the pharmacy front include local, privately owned pharmacies, pharmacy chains, Big Box retail outlets with pharmacy services, online pharmacy sites and mail order services. Each option offers typically the same kinds of medications, but each does come with its pros and con. Let's take a look at each.
Private pharmacies: The local drug store is still alive and well and an option for buying prescription and non-prescription drugs. These locations are favored by many shoppers for their personalized service, friendly faces and small-town charm. This type of drugstore tends to have slightly higher prices than the others because of an inability to buy in bulk. Still, the corner drug store is loved by many for the knowledge of the staff. These stores tend to create atmospheres where customers are on a first-name basis with the pharmacy technician staff members that are employed there. This isn't to say these types of situations don't exist in other pharmacies, but they do tend to predominate in the small, locally owned stores where customer service is valued above all else.
Pharmacy chains: These can be as personal as the locally owned stores, but that's not always the case. A pharmacy tech in one of these locations tends to be rather busy at most times, which means personalized service might get lost in the shuffle. This can be a problem for those who want information about prescription drug medications they need to take. Still, the possibility for face-to-face service is certainly available. The chains can generally offer better pricing on medications due to their ability to buy in bulk. They also typically offer some items outside of the medical arena, sort of like convenience stores with pharmacy services.
Big Box retail: Whether they're found in department type stores or groceries, this type of pharmacy is starting to spring up all over. Providing the power of some massive bulk buying, these locations can generally offer discounts on prescription drugs and they do go out of their way to hire pharmacy technician staff that is knowledgeable and willing to share drug information. The perks of these locations include the fact that those looking for a prescription buy can also fill their grocery order or pick up extra supplies in a single trip. These locations are generally fairly busy, so personal service can be a crapshoot.
Online pharmacy: These Internet accessible sites have become extremely popular in recent years. Offering access to pharmacies all over the world, in some cases, an online pharmacy site is unlike any other option. Depending on the site in question, it is possible to buy drugs with no prescription. Canada pharmacy locations have become popular choices for many because they often offer discounts on drugs that American retailers cannot offer. The Canadian pharmacy online has become a big deal for this reason, enabling American retirees and others to stretch their budgets a little more efficiently. The downfall to using drugstore com sites is that face-to-face service is not possible. Still, an online prescription handled by a good company can arrive within a day, generally, and these online pharmacy locations tend to offer deeply cut discounts. When a prescription drug is needed, this route can save time, money and hassle. It is worth checking them out, but do look into a particular's sites background before trying to make a buy. Some sites offer incredible customer service, using live chat or e-mail to answer questions customers might have.
Mail order pharmacy: These locations are also fairly new and very popular. Mail order services offer many of the same perks as online pharmacy locations, but generally are recommended directly by insurance companies. This helps take some of the guess work out of the equation. These services have pharmacy tech employees on hand to answer questions over the phone typically and they can provide next-day and overnight services, just like the online pharmacy locations. The trick to enjoying big discounts from these sites involves being able to buy multi-month prescription refills. For this reason, many people who are looking to have a one-time prescription filled tend to use other drugstore options.
What type of pharmacy a customer feels most comfortable with will depend on the prescription in question in most cases. Certain needs demand different types of pharmacies. For example:
- Antibiotics. When these are needed in a big hurry to fight infection, online prescription buys or mail order might not be the top choices. While both types of pharmacies offer overnight and next-day delivery, sometimes these medications need to be started right away to prevent further complications. If that is the case, the other three, same-day service, locations might be more suited to fit the need.
- Painkillers. If a prescription for these needs to be filled, the immediate need is likely present. If this is the case, same-day service locations are often advised. While waiting a day or two can save a person money, the patient suffering through the pain likely won't care about a few extra dollars.
- Maintenance medications. Prescription drug refills on medications that are considered routine to a patient's life can often be had from mail order and online pharmacies at greatly discounted rates. When these are ordered long before the current prescription runs out, the cost savings can make this route the best way to go.
- Medical supplies. Things such as diabetes testing supplies, health equipment and more can often be purchased online or by mail order for a whole lot less than in retail outlets. Since these likely won't be needed the same day they are ordered, the cost-savings of an online pharmacy or mail order service might be in order.
- Pet pharmacy supplies. Some mail order and online pharmacy locations also allow customers to order medications for their pets. Some regular pharmacies might not.
Finding the right drugstore to buy prescription drugs will likely depend on personal choice and a few other factors. All of the location types can provide excellent services, but some excel at it better than others. A few of the choices are designed to provide cost savings, while others are not. Go with personal taste and what the need at the time demands to find the right one.
|
Home 
